This may be a little off topic, as the topic is skin care, but I still hope someone here will know the answer.

Why does a person's skin become all 'shrivelly' (for lack of a better term) after swimming for a long time?

Thanks for your help!

Your skin is made up of two layers. The outer layer is called the epidermis and the lower level is the dermis. The outer layer (epidermis) produces an oily substance called sebum. The sebum keeps the water out of your skin. However, after long periods of time in a swimming pool, shower, or bathtub, much of the sebum is washed off and your outer layer of skin starts to absorb water. As it absorbs water it swells, but since the epidermis is "tied" down to your dermis in certain spots, it expands more where it is not tied down and this causes your skin to wrinkle.

[This message was edited by JerseyTomater on 06-24-02 at 09:06 PM.]