Brain and Finger Wrinkles

Have you ever wondered the reason for wrinkling when your hands have been submerged for a time in water? Studies by researchers at the Institute of Neuroscience, Newcastle University, may have an answer. According to their findings, water-induced finger wrinkles improve the handling of wet objects (whereas wrinkles make no difference when manipulating dry objects). Wrinkling was induced by immersing both hands in tap water for 30 minutes. (Unwrinkling was achieved by washing hands with soapy water, drying them and then waiting 10-12 minutes for the wrinkles to disappear). The formation of these wrinkles is an active process controlled by the autonomic nervous system. Submerse your fingers and toes in water for a while and your brain sends messages to the fingertip and toe pulp to initiate vasoconstriction. This gives you better gripping power for fingertips and toes.