Your skin shows its age by losing some of its elasticity. This causes drooping. You can keep the underlying muscles firm and taut, but in some places, such as your face, your skin will sag and wrinkle anyway. Your skin also becomes a little thinner, so that veins or discolorations beneath the surface show through more clearly than they used to. You begin to lose your youthful colour and glow. Decreased production of natural oils makes your skin drier, and you probably perspire less.
If you are white, age spots, also known as liver spots, probably will appear. These small flat patches look like freckles. Although age spots are harmless, see your physician if you observe changes in an existing growth on your skin or a sore that doesn’t heal, just to rule our skin cancer. |
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Your skin shows its age by losing some of its elasticity. This causes drooping. You can keep the underlying muscles firm and Tiny blood vessels just below the surface of the skin may become fragile, break and bleed. This causes superficial bruising, a condition called senile puppura. It occurs mainly on the forearms.
The loss of natural skin oils can cause intense itching on your back, lower legs, hands and elsewhere. This condition is called asteatosis, and it produces scaly skin that sometimes cracks deeply.
How fast your skin ages depend on many factors. The most significant of these is how much unprotected exposure to the sun you have had over the years. The more sun, the more damage you can expect. Smoking also is an enemy to your skin. It slows your skin’s ability to heal and causes paleness, yellowing and deep wrinkles around your lips.
Good skin care throughout life is your best weapon against wrinkles, dryness and skin cancer.
Stay out of the sun or apply sunscreen to protect your skin from the ultraviolet rays of sunlight. Don’t smoke. Nicotine in cigarette smoke constricts the blood vessels that nourish your skin. Like other organs, your skin also benefits from a good supply provided by a healthy diet and regular exercise.
Except from: MAYO CLINIC ON HEALTHY AGING
What causes Ageing of the Skin?
Sun damage (photoageing) is the main reason for ageing. A tanned skin is a damaged skin. UVA light causes the skin to age. Enzymes are damaged which protect collagen from breakdown. Fine wrinkles are caused by the damage to the collagen and elastic tissue. Sun damage from daily exposure and sunburn produces inflation which leads to the breakdown of collagen and elastic fibres.
Smoking reduces the oxygen supply to all the organs of the body. The skin is the largest organ of the body. Blood vessels reduce and this makes the production of collagen and elastin less efficient.
Alcohol. Excessive alcolhol consumption can reuce the absorption of vitamins and nutrients that the skin requires.
Diet. Severe dietary restrictions causes the skin of the face to sag. Under nourishment will leave the skin dull and can cause an older appearance.
Facial Expression. Facial muscle activity particulary around the eyes, forehead and around the mouth can lead to an increase of lines.
Prevent Premature Ageing
• Avoid deliberate tanning.
• Avoid the harsh sunlight between 10am and 3pm
• Apply sunscreen daily. Ensure your sun factor has both UVA and UVB protection.
• Use at least a SPF 15.
• Wear a hat and sunglasses.
• Treatment. Use good skin care products. Various skin care products and treatments are available to revitalise the skin and give it a clearer and smoother appearance.
Reference: Away with wrinkles by Dr Nick Lowe
A top dermatologist’s secrets to a younger face
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