By the way, doctor: Why does skin wrinkle after being underwater?
Some people think that the wrinkles occur because of osmosis — water flowing out from the skin into a less "salty" environment. This mistakenly suggests that the wrinkles from the bath are like the tiny depressions and folds of dry skin. In reality, bathtub wrinkles are raised areas of skin puffed up by water absorption. One explanation that's been offered for pruny skin is that the absorbed water affects nerves, which leads to constricted blood vessels that pull the skin downward, creating furrows.
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
Subscribe to Harvard Health Online Plus (HHO+) to unlock expert-backed health insights, personalized tools, and exclusive resources to feel your best every day.
Here’s what you get with your HHO+ membership:
- Unlimited access to all Harvard Health Online content
- 4 expertly curated newsletters delivered monthly
- Customized website experience aligned to your health goals
- In-depth health guides on topics like sleep, exercise, and more
- Interactive features like videos and quizzes
- Members-only access to exclusive articles and resources
I’d like to subscribe to HHO+ for $4.99/month to access expert-backed content to help make smart, informed decisions about my well-being.
Sign Me UpAlready a member? Login ».
Disclaimer:
As a service to our readers, Harvard Health Publishing provides access to our library of archived content. Please note the date of last review or update on all articles.
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.
