Aging Skin

 

 

As we age, internal and external factors are gradually taking their toll on both the outermost and deeper layers of the skin. Aging skin is most noticeable in the form of skin wrinkles, age spots or hyperpigmentation and loose or sagging skin.

 

These characteristics being to become more noticeable around the age of 40 but, depending on lifestyle, can even appear as early as a person's 20's. An anti aging skin care regimen that is begun at an early age and consistently followed can go a long way in reducing the visible effects of skin aging on mature skin.

 

The Three Main Characteristics of Aging Skin

 

Wrinkles

 

Wrinkles are perhaps the thing that is most associated with skin aging. Eye wrinkles or "crow's feet", mechanical lines or "laugh" and "frown" lines as well as wrinkles on the hands and arms are caused by the deterioration of structures and processes beneath the skin. Collagen and elastin are responsible for supporting the skin and its elasticity (the ability of the skin to snap back into place).

 

Over time, collagen production becomes depleted which weakens the supporting structures for the upper layers of skin causing sunken ridges or wrinkles. The effect of this is then enhanced by the reduction in elastin which can cause the skin to loosen and lose its resilience.

 

To help prevent wrinkles on aging skin, antiaging treatment such as wrinkle creams, alpha-hydroxy acids and the Vitamin A extract Retin-A can all assist in wrinkle prevention and treatment. In addition to these aging skin care products, medical procedures such as chemical peels and laser resurfacing can be used to reduce the presence of wrinkles.

 

Age Spots (Discoloration or Hyperpigmentation)

 

These spots (also called age, sun or liver spots and solar lentigines), are usually gray, brown or a reddish color on the skin. They are mainly caused by exposure to the sun over time. Melanin, which is responsible for the brown tone in skin pigment accumulates in certain areas of the skin making them darker than the surrounding area. These appear most often on parts of the skin that are exposed to sunlight more often (face hands, arms and shoulders) and are normally do not pose a health risk.

 

There are several treatment options for age spots that include using anti aging skin care products such as those containing alpha hydroxy acids which exfoliate the skin to remove the top layers and lessen the visibility of age spots. More advanced treatment can be performed using deep skin peels (with glycolic acid or Phenol) and laser skin resurfacing. The Fraxel laser is often used to remove localized spots since it can be applied directly to the skin discoloration without affecting the surrounding skin.

 

Sagging or Loose Skin

 

As the body grows older, key support structures become damaged or unable to perform their functions properly. As mentioned above, the substance elastin, which gives the skin its resiliency, can be decreased by sun damage and other destructive elements. One way to demonstrate this is if the skin is pinched and does not return to its original position.

 

Loss of collagen which helps support the top layers of skin also contributes to loose skin. Aging skin can also be further loosened by the loss of bone over time. As bones age, they shrink and when this happens the area supporting the skin becomes smaller. Since the skin does not shrink, it tends to droop further.

 

Sun Damage (Premature Skin Aging)

 

Perhaps nothing has a greater effect on skin aging than ultraviolet light rays (UV) from the sun. These rays penetrate the skin and have an impact on the cell level processes that are in place to maintain and support the skin. This serves to accelerate the natural processes of skin aging so signs of wrinkles and discoloration appear earlier than they might naturally. For this reason, using sunscreen of SPF (sun protection factor) 15 or higher (30 spf recommended) as one of your key aging skin products can greatly reduce the appearance of wrinkles as you age.

 

Skin Aging Care

 

Treating aging skin usually focuses on certain skin care products such as anti wrinkle creams, alpha-hydroxy acids, kojic acid, cleansing milk which contains lactic acids and anti aging cosmetics which most often are mineral cosmetics. Chemical peels, laser skin treatment, photoaging procedures, botox injections and collagen injections are also commonly used as an antiaging solution and for other skin conditions.

 

Antiaging exercise of the facial muscles can also help to keep muscle tone in the face which will better support the skin and can aid in maintaining elasticity.