Summary
For men, wrinkle-free, fine wrinkles, and early wrinkles skin is better than a deep wrinkled skin. Grogan et al. (2009) discuss how young adults associate being young with having wrinkle-free skin, highlighting societal expectations and personal appearance concerns. Hamer et al. (2017) further emphasize the significant role of wrinkle-free skin in reflecting a person’s general health and emotional well-being, noting that the absence of wrinkles is often targeted in cosmetic enhancements to improve appearance and is highly valued for its association with youth and health. Swift et al. (2021) contrast intrinsic and extrinsic aging processes, explaining that intrinsic aging leads to fine wrinkles and more uniform pigmentation, while extrinsic factors like UV exposure and smoking contribute to more severe skin issues such as coarse wrinkles and mottled complexion. They conclude that maintaining wrinkle-free skin, which shows resilience against aging, is considered more attractive, underscoring its importance in societal and aesthetic contexts.
Research
An article was published in the British Journal of Health Psychology by Grogan et al. (2009) titled “Smoking to stay thin or giving up to save face? Young men and women talk about appearance concerns and smoking“. The authors in the article along with other aspects discusses the notion of wrinkle-free skin among men. In this study, eighty-seven men and women aged 17–24 participated. The majority of the participant believed that being young means having wrinkle-free skin along with other attributes.
A study by Hamer et al. (2017) highlights the significant impact of skin aging on a person’s general health and emotional well-being, emphasizing that facial wrinkles are a prominent feature of this process. Given that wrinkles are a key target for cosmetic improvements to enhance skin appearance, it suggests that wrinkle-free skin is generally preferred, particularly in the context of anti-aging efforts in the cosmetic market. This preference likely stems from the association of fewer wrinkles with better health and a more youthful appearance, qualities that are highly valued in society and seen as attractive.
Similarly, another study by Swift et al. (2021) underscores that wrinkle-free skin is more desirable for men, primarily because it reflects fewer signs of both intrinsic and extrinsic aging. It explains that intrinsic aging involves gradual changes over time, such as the development of fine wrinkles and a more uniform pigmentation, whereas extrinsic aging—driven by factors like sun exposure and smoking—leads to more severe skin issues like coarse wrinkles, mottled complexion, and other signs like rough texture and dryness. This distinction highlights that wrinkle-free skin, or skin that maintains its structural integrity better against these aging factors, is seen as more attractive.
Reference
Grogan, S., Fry, G., Gough, B., & Conner, M. (2009). Smoking to stay thin or giving up to save face? Young men and women talk about appearance concerns and smoking. British journal of health psychology, 14(1), 175-186. https://doi.org/10.1348/135910708X327617
Swift, A., Liew, S., Weinkle, S., Garcia, J. K., & Silberberg, M. B. (2021). The facial aging process from the “inside out”. Aesthetic surgery journal, 41(10), 1107-1119. https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjaa339
Hamer, M. A., Pardo, L. M., Jacobs, L. C., Ikram, M. A., Laven, J. S., Kayser, M., … & Nijsten, T. (2017). Lifestyle and physiological factors associated with facial wrinkling in men and women. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 137(8), 1692-1699. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jid.2017.04.002