The environmental factors like pollution, cigarettes and most importantly ozone may accelerate aging by producing oxygen free radicals. Normally these are particles produced by many of the body´s normal chemical processes, when these are produced in excess it can damage the cell membranes, interrelate with genetic material, contributing to the outbreak of a number of skin disorders like wrinkles and cancer.

The unstable oxygen molecules that have only one electron instead of two are called free radicals. Since electrons are found in pairs, the molecule must search other molecules for another electron. When the second molecule loses its electron to the first molecule, it must then find another electron repeating the process. This process can damage cell function and change the genetic material. The free radical damage causes wrinkles by activating the metalloproteinases that break down collagen. The factors that initiate this cumulative process includes exposure to even small amounts of UV radiation in sunlight, smoking, and exposure to air pollution

The circulation of blood to the skin reduces due to smoking and increases the amount of facial wrinkles. A significant number of wrinkles around the mouth and lips are evident among frequent users of tobacco.