How Does Skin Ageing Occur?
Posted by Percy Reed in Skin Diseases
Skin ageing occurs by a loss of elasticity. Older skin also has less blood flow and lower gland activity. Your skin will become thinner and damage faster. Additionally it is more difficult to heal itself. Of all of the events that can damage your skin most is due to the sun. The skin is comprised of three layers, the epidermis or outer layer, the dermis and them the deep dermis. Skin ageing affects all of these layers. The skin care industry is a billion dollar industry that incorporates much research and development.
Skin that is exposed to sun ages faster. This is called photo aging and is due to short wavelength ultraviolet radiation (UVB) that damages the outer skin layer, the epidermis. Long wavelength ultraviolet radiation (UVA) is a part of photo aging and this damages the mid skin layer, the dermis. Infrared light can damage the deepest skin layer, the deeper dermis and tissue. Photo aging skin ageing symptoms include fine lines and wrinkles, textural changes and discoloration. The skin tears and blisters faster as it is thinner. Your skin will also feel dry as it has a harder time holding water. This ultraviolet radiation from the sun can eventually damage your DNA and cause skin cancer. It can also effect your immune system and if you are frequently sunburned you need frequent examinations with the doctor.
Wrinkles occur because UV light breaks down a fiber called elastin. Elastin causes the skin to “snap back” after being stretched, like a rubber band. Gravity also pulls you skin causing it to sag. The effects of gravity are most noticeable on the arms, face and neck. Smoking also causes wrinkles. It is unknown why this occurs the wrinkling increases as the years of smoking and number of cigarettes increases.
As a person ages they frequently encounter dry skin, mainly on their lower legs, elbows and forearms. This dry skin can be very itchy and feel very rough. Low humidity can add tot his dryness and itching. There are many products that can amplify this annoyance like soaps, antiperspirants and perfumes. Dry skin itches because it is irritated and if you itchiness is extreme in which case you should speak with your doctor about the right treatment to bring relief.
Age or liver spots appear as a person ages, and they’ve very little to do with the liver! These areas are, yet again, cause by sin damage. These spots are bigger than freckles and occur on skin that has been frequently exposed to the sun. As skin ages it also bruises easier. This is due to sun damage and thinning. Your skin losses fat and the connective tissue weaken.
There are numerous solutions to counteract skin ageing symptoms. Moisturizers, creams, lotions, toners, anti ageing and revitalizing products can be found anywhere, worldwide. The first thing you can do is to always wear sunscreen! It will get involved with your everyday routine; you put it on each morning and don’t need to worry for the rest of the day. Remember to use sunscreen that guards from Ultraviolet light.
There are some products approved by the FDA that are effective at treating wrinkles and fine lines caused from sun damage. Tretinoin cream comes from vitamin A and can only be obtained by prescription. This product can be used when regular skin care and sun protection doesn’t improve your sin. It can’t completely remove your wrinkles but can help your skin. CO@ and er:YAG lasers are approved to use on wrinkles. These layers remove skin one layer at a time until the wrinkles are no longer visible. Alpha hydroxy acids are currently big on the research side of skin ageing. They have been found to reduce skin ageing symptoms but have side effects and some long-term effects, further study is needed.
To prevent skin ageing and your skin you should try and stay out of the sun, particularly through the hottest part of the day, in between 10 and 3pm. UV light can also penetrate cloudy skies so always wear that sunscreen. You should use sunscreen that guards from Ultraviolet light and has a SPF of 15 or greater. You need to remember to reapply your sunscreen. You should wear protective clothing when outside, start wearing a hat and sunglasses. You should avoid artificial tanning. Artificial tanning uses color additives and large amounts of color additives can damage your skin. Finally make sure to check your skin often to notice any differences.
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