What Should I Do if My Hands Wrinkle After Staying in Water for a Long Time?
When the hands become wrinkled after prolonged immersion in water, it is advisable to apply cod liver oil ointment or urea ointment to lubricate the skin and protect the newly grown epidermis. Additionally, it is recommended to consume plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables and drink sufficient water to promote skin metabolism. After prolonged immersion in water, the stratum corneum of the skin will soften, resulting in a wrinkled appearance, which is a common occurrence.
Reason 1: Skin-related Factors
Wrinkled skin after prolonged immersion in water is often due to skin-related factors. The epidermis of the fingers is composed of the stratum corneum. When the fingers are immersed in water for an extended period, the stratum corneum absorbs water and expands like a sponge filled with water. However, the dermis beneath the epidermis does not expand after water absorption, leading to a difference in volume between these two skin layers, thus forming wrinkles.
Reason 2: Cellular Factors
Wrinkled skin after prolonged immersion in water is also related to cellular factors. If the fingers are immersed in a liquid with a high concentration for a long time, water will gradually escape from the epidermal cells, causing the cells to shrink and deform. This results in the appearance of wrinkles after the fingers have been soaked in water for a period.
The skin on the fingers is thicker compared to other body parts due to regular activity. Since the thicker stratum corneum absorbs more water and expands more significantly, the fingers are more prone to developing wrinkles after immersion in water compared to other body parts.
