Final answer:
Damage to elastic fibers in the skin of the elderly primarily results in C wrinkles, caused by a decrease in collagen and elastin production and overall changes in skin structure.
Step-by-step explanation:
Damage to elastic fibers in the skin of the elderly results in wrinkles. This is because the dermis layer of the skin, which is responsible for its elasticity, begins to produce less collagen and elastin as a person ages. This decrease, combined with a weakening of the muscles lying underneath the skin and a reduced ability for the skin to retain moisture, leads to the formation of wrinkles. Other factors like the thinning of the epidermis and a reduction in the fat stores of the hypodermis contribute to the sagging and thinning of the skin. Additionally, changes in other skin cells like melanocytes and dendritic cells cause a paler skin tone and lowered immunity, but it is the breakdown of the elastic and collagen fibers that primarily causes wrinkling.