by Daniel Laberge
Human grooming

Folded skin theory, evolution and pathology

Folds are very problematic for your skin.

Folds on the wrist

Their number and depth increases all your life.

Folded skin

Skin is a living tissue

Skin layers and components

The layers of a non-folded skin

Folds deteriorate the skin

Folded epidermis and dermis

Folded skin

Types of folds

Occasional and permanent folds

Permanent folds on the wrist

Permanent folds

-How long is a fold?
-Most folds are circular.

Circular folds with invisible sections

Circular folds

The circular folds on fingers are plainly visible on the top and bottom, but invisible on the sides.

Articulation folds

Folds around the knees

The folds occur mostly at articulations.

Compressed and stretched folds

Compressed and stretched folds on an articulation

Articulations only bend on one side,

producing two kinds of folds.

S
T
R
E
T
C
H
E
D

F
O
L
D
S

Folded finger and arm

C
O
M
P
R
E
S
S
E
D

F
O
L
D
S

You will find stretched and compressed folds at every articulation on your body

Complete folds and surface folds

Fold angle

Fold angle below the surface

Slanted folds

Fold evolution

Your body considers folds as wounds.

Skin responds to excessive folding

Damage done by repeated folding

Separable containers

Fold repeatedly to break apart

Repeated folding provokes specific epidermis formation

Heat builup on the fold's floor

Repeated folding generates heat.

Coating the fold’s floor with epidermis cells

Epidermis formation inside a fold

A new coat of epidermis inside a fold

Skin fold held in place by epidermis cells

Epidermis cells hold the fold in place and prevent any tearing.
The fold has become permanent.

Anchoring

Folds growing inwards coat by coat

Epidermis coats inside a fold

Epidermis coats inside a fold

Coats and grooming

Fold pathology;
The consequences of folded skin

Inoperative trapped skin components

• Cellulite

• Stretch marks

Stretch marks follow parallel fold patterns

• Varicose veins - Blood flow obstructed by folds

Folds on the wrist
Skin layers and components
Folded epidermis and dermis
Permanent folds on the wrist
Circular folds
Folds around the knees
Skin fold held in place by epidermis cells