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Skin Aging
Skin Aging
| Skin Aging |
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| Skin Aging |
Skin AgingWhat are the different types of skin aging? There are 2 distinct types of aging. Aging caused by the genes we inherit is called intrinsic (internal) aging. Aging caused by environmental factors, such as exposure to the sun, pollution and cigarette smoke is called extrinsic (actinic) aging. Intrinsic Aging Intrinsic aging is known as the natural aging process. It is a continuous process that normally begins in our mid-20s. Intrinsic aging accounts for about 10% of our aging. What Happens in Intrinsic Aging? Within the skin, collagen production slows & elastin, the substance that enables skin to snap back into place, has a bit less spring. Dead skin cells do not shed as quickly and turnover of new skin cells may decrease slightly. While these changes usually begin in our 20s, the signs of intrinsic aging are typically not visible for decades. Under 20 years of age, our skin cells turn over in about 14 days, from 20 to 40 years in around 28 days and after 40 years of age, the cells turn over in 45-65 days. After 20 years of age, the skin begins to thin at a rate of around 6% each 10 years we live. This causes the skin to be able to retain less moisture. Signs of Intrinsic Aging The signs of intrinsic aging are: • Fine wrinkles • Thin & transparent skin • Loss of underlying fat, leading to hollowed cheeks & eye sockets as well as noticeable loss of firmness on the hands & neck • Bones shrink away from the skin due to bone loss, which causes sagging skin • Dry skin that may itch • Inability to sweat sufficiently to cool the skin • Graying hair that eventually turns white • Hair loss • Unwanted hair • Nail plate thins, the half moons disappear, and ridges develop Extrinsic Aging A number of extrinsic (actinic), or external, factors often act together with normal aging process to prematurely age our skin. Most premature aging is caused by sun exposure. Other external factors that prematurely age our skin are repetitive facial expressions, gravity, sleeping positions & smoking. Genes control how quickly the normal process unfolds. Some notice those first gray hairs in their 20s Some notice those first gray hairs in their 20. Others do not see graying until their 40s. Causes of External Aging The Sun Without protection from the sun’s rays, just a few minutes of exposure each day over the years can cause noticeable changes to the skin. Freckles, age spots, spider veins on the face, rough leathery skin, fine wrinkles that disappear when stretched, loose skin, a blotchy complexion, actinic keratoses (thick wart-like, rough, reddish patches of skin), & skin cancer can all be traced to sun exposure. “Photoaging” is the term that dermatologists use to describe this type of aging caused by exposure to the sun. The amount of “photoaging” that develops depends on: (1) a person’s skin color & (2) their history of long-term or intense sun exposure. People with fair skin who have a history of sun exposure develop more signs of photoaging than those with dark skin. In the darkest skin, the signs of photoaging are usually limited to fine wrinkles and a mottled complexion. Photoaging occurs over a period of years. With repeated exposure to the sun, the skin loses its ability to repair itself, & damage accumulates. Scientific studies have shown that repeated ultraviolet (UV) exposure breaks down the collagen & impairs the making of new collagen. The sun also attacks our elastin. Sun-weakened skin ceases to spring back much earlier than skin protected from UV rays. Skin also becomes loose, wrinkled and leathery much earlier with unprotected exposure to sunlight. Premature aging from years of unprotected exposure to the sun causes deep wrinkles, age spots and leathery skin. People who live in sun-intense areas can show signs of photoaging in their 20s. While it may seem that the signs of photoaging appear overnight, they actually lie invisible beneath the surface of the skin for years. Facial Expressions If you perform facial expressions to maintain a youthful appearance, it is time to stop! Repetitive facial movements lead to fine lines & wrinkles. Each time we use a facial muscle, a groove forms beneath the surface of the skin, which is why we see lines form with each facial expression. As skin ages & loses its elasticity, the skin stops springing back to its line-free state. These grooves become permanently etched on the face as fine lines & wrinkles. Gravity Gravity constantly pulls at our bodies. Changes related to gravity become more pronounced as we age. In our 50s, when the skin’s elasticity declines dramatically, the effects of gravity become evident. Gravity causes the tip of the nose to droop, the ears to elongate, the eyelids to fall, jowls to form, & the upper lip to disappear while the lower lip becomes more pronounced. Sleeping Positions Resting your face on the pillow in the same way every night for years on end also leads to wrinkles. Called sleep lines, these wrinkles eventually become etched on the surface of the skin & no longer disappear when the head is not resting on the pillow. Women tend to sleep on their sides & these lines appear on their chins & cheeks. Men notice these lines on their foreheads since they usually sleep with the face pressed face down on the pillow. People who sleep on their backs do not develop these wrinkles since their skin does not lie crumpled against the pillow. Cigarette smoking causes biochemical changes in our bodies that accelerate aging. Research shows that a person who smokes 10 or more cigarettes a day for a minimum of 10 years is statistically more likely to develop deeply wrinkled, leathery skin than a nonsmoker. A study in 2002 showed that facial wrinkling, while not yet visible to the naked eye, can be seen under the microscope in smokers as young as 20. These signs can be greatly diminished, and in some cases avoided, by stopping smoking. People who have smoked for many years, or smoked heavily at a younger age, show less facial wrinkling & improved skin tone when they quit smoking. What to do for a Healthier, Younger-Looking Skin While you cannot stop or even slow down the intrinsic aging process, you can prevent signs of premature aging (extrinsic or actinic) by protecting your skin from the sun, quitting smoking & eliminating facial expressions. Dermatologists recommend comprehensive sun protection to prevent premature aging by the sun. This includes: •Avoiding deliberate tanning, including use of indoor tanning devices. •Staying out of the sun between 10 AM & 4 PM when the sun’s rays are the strongest. •Wear protective clothing & wear sunscreen (SPF of 15 or higher) all year round. While there are a number of treatments available including injectable fillers & botulinum toxin as well as facelifts, laser resurfacing & chemical peels, the best way to treat this is to avoid the extrinsic causes of skin wrinkling. Less stress, exercise and a good diet are also helpful. To maintain good collagen & elastin in your skin, it is important to help the body restore itself with the proper nutrients. This includes proper vitamin & mineral support as well as antioxidants & phytonutrients to help restore the collagen & elastin. |