How Aging Affects Your Skin and What You Can Do About It
The aging of skin is a gradual process, but it can be slowed down and reversed within limits.
Regardless of how much care is given, minor structural changes will eventually occur, but the more serious skin problems are caused by neglect and abuse.
The most important structural changes are cellular build-up, dryness and pigment increase; they cause problems in texture, contour and colour.
Older skin produces a different type of epidermis cell that tends not to shed so easily when dead.
Because of this, the sheets of dead cells mount up, giving the skin a coarse, leathery look.
These older cells do not hold water so well and unless moisture supply is constant and increased they can become dry and shrivelled.
In addition there is a decrease in oil gland function which further aggravates the moisture problem.
Pigmentation increases with age.
This is not noticeable in black, brown or even dark olive skins, but fair skins darken a shade or two and not always evenly.
Discoloration may appear as blotches or as freckle-like areas on hands and face commonly called liver-spots, although nothing to do with the liver - the sun is the culprit, for it dries and discolours.
Ageing changes the inner layer.
As the supporting tissue degenerates, the elastic fibres lose their effectiveness and the skin is unable to maintain its normal resiliency.
Wrinkles, lines and creases appear; the skin of the eyes and neck is the most vulnerable.
Finally the blood vessels respond to age by expanding, sometimes causing the complexion to take on a ruddy look, sometimes breaking to form red spider lines and spots.
Regardless of how much care is given, minor structural changes will eventually occur, but the more serious skin problems are caused by neglect and abuse.
The most important structural changes are cellular build-up, dryness and pigment increase; they cause problems in texture, contour and colour.
Older skin produces a different type of epidermis cell that tends not to shed so easily when dead.
Because of this, the sheets of dead cells mount up, giving the skin a coarse, leathery look.
These older cells do not hold water so well and unless moisture supply is constant and increased they can become dry and shrivelled.
In addition there is a decrease in oil gland function which further aggravates the moisture problem.
Pigmentation increases with age.
This is not noticeable in black, brown or even dark olive skins, but fair skins darken a shade or two and not always evenly.
Discoloration may appear as blotches or as freckle-like areas on hands and face commonly called liver-spots, although nothing to do with the liver - the sun is the culprit, for it dries and discolours.
Ageing changes the inner layer.
As the supporting tissue degenerates, the elastic fibres lose their effectiveness and the skin is unable to maintain its normal resiliency.
Wrinkles, lines and creases appear; the skin of the eyes and neck is the most vulnerable.
Finally the blood vessels respond to age by expanding, sometimes causing the complexion to take on a ruddy look, sometimes breaking to form red spider lines and spots.