Aging changes in skin

Aging changes in the skin are a group of common conditions and developments that occur as people grow older. Information Skin changes are among the most visible signs of aging. Evidence of increasing age includes wrinkles and sagging skin. Whitening or graying of the hair is another obvious sign of aging. Your skin does many things. It protects you from the environment, helps control your body temperature and fluid and electrolyte balance, and contains nerve receptors that allow you to feel sensations such as touch, pain, and pressure. Although skin has many layers, it can be generally divided into three main parts: The outer part (epidermis) contains skin cells, pigment, and proteins. The middle part (dermis) contains blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, and oil glands. The dermis provides nutrients to the epidermis. The inner layer under the dermis (the subcutaneous layer) contains sweat glands, some hair follicles, blood vessels, and fat. Each layer also contains connective tissue with collagen fibers to give support and elastin fibers to provide flexibility and strength.

Watch this video about:Components of skin Skin changes are related to environmental factors, genetic makeup, nutrition, and other factors. The greatest single factor, though, is sun exposure. This can be seen by comparing areas of your body that have regular sun exposure with areas that are protected from sunlight. Natural pigments seem to provide some protection against sun-induced skin damage. Blue-eyed, fairskinned people show more aging skin changes than people with darker, more heavily pigmented skin. AGING CHANGES With aging, the outer skin layer (epidermis) thins, even though the number of cell layers remains unchanged. The number of pigment-containing cells (melanocytes) decreases, but the remaining melanocytes increase in size. Aging skin thus appears thinner, more pale, and clear (translucent). Large pigmented spots (called age spots, liver spots, or lentigos) may appear in sun-exposed areas. Changes in the connective tissue reduce the skin's strength and elasticity. This is known as elastosis and is especially pronounced in sun-exposed areas (solar elastosis). Elastosis produces the leathery, weather-beaten appearance common to farmers, sailors, and others who spend a large amount of time outdoors.

The blood vessels of the dermis become more fragile. This leads to bruising, bleeding under the skin (often called senile purpura), cherry angiomas, and similar conditions. Sebaceous glands produce less oil as you age. Men experience a minimal decrease, usually after the age of 80. Women gradually produce less oil beginning after menopause. This can make it harder to keep the skin moist, resulting in dryness and itchiness. The subcutaneous fat layer thins, reducing its normal insulation and padding. This increases your risk of skin injury and reduces your ability to maintain body temperature. Because you have less natural insulation, you can get hypothermia in cold weather. Some medications are absorbed by the fat layer, and loss of this layer changes the way that these medications work. The sweat glands produce less sweat. This makes it harder to keep cool, and you are at increased risk for becoming overheated or developing heat stroke. Growths such as skin tags, warts, and other blemishes are more common in older people. EFFECT OF CHANGES As you age, you are at increased risk for skin injury. Your skin is thinner, more fragile, and the protective subcutaneous fat layer is lost. In addition, your ability to sense touch, pressure, vibration, heat and cold may be reduced. Thus, your skin is at higher risk for injury. Rubbing or pulling on the skin can cause skin tears. Fragile blood vessels are easily broken. Bruises, flat collections of blood (purpura), and raised collections of blood (hematomas) may form after even a minor injury. This is most easily seen on the outside surface of the forearms, but can occur anywhere on the body. Skin changes and loss of subcutaneous fat, combined with a tendency to be less active, as well as some nutritional deficiencies and other illnesses contribute to pressure ulcers. Aging skin repairs itself more slowly than younger skin. Wound healing may be up to 4 times slower. This contributes to pressure ulcers and infections. Diabetes, blood vessel changes, lowered immunity, and similar factors also affect healing. COMMON PROBLEMS Skin disorders are so common among older people that it is often difficult to tell normal changes from those related to a disorder. More than 90% of all older people have some type of skin disorder. Skin disorders can be caused by many conditions, including: Blood vessel diseases such as arteriosclerosis Diabetes Heart disease

Liver disease Nutritional deficiencies Obesity Reactions to medications Stress

Other causes of skin changes: Allergies to plants and other substances Climate Clothing Exposures to industrial and household chemicals Indoor heating

Sunlight can cause: Loss of elasticity (elastosis) Noncancerous skin growths (keratoacanthomas) Pigment changes such as liver spots Thickening of the skin

Sun exposure has also been directly linked to skin cancers, including basal cell epithelioma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma. PREVENTION Because most skin changes are related to sun exposure, prevention is a lifelong process. Prevent sunburn if at all possible. Use a good quality sunscreen when outdoors, even in the winter. Wear protective clothing and hats as necessary.

Good nutrition and adequate fluids are also helpful. Dehydration increases the risk of skin injury. Sometimes minor nutritional deficiencies can cause rashes, skin lesions, and other skin changes, even if you have no other symptoms. Keep skin moist with lotions and other moisturizers. Do not use soaps that are heavily perfumed. Bath oils are not recommended because they can cause you to slip and fall. Moist skin is more comfortable and will heal more quickly. RELATED TOPICS Aging changes in body shape Aging changes in hair and nails Aging changes in hormone production Aging changes in organs, tissues, and cells

Aging changes in the bones, muscles, and joints Aging changes in the breast Aging changes in the face Aging changes in the senses Skin cancer

Alternative Names Wrinkles - aging changes; Thinning of skin References Minaker KL. Common clinical sequelae of aging. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier;2007:chap 23. Update Date: 8/15/2010 Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc. Browse the Encyclopedia MedlinePlus Topics Seniors' Health Skin Aging Images

Changes in face with age

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditat

Cosmetic Procedures for Aging Skin

New innovations in skin rejuvenation continue to develop, ranging from topically applied "cosmeceuticals" to new surgical techniques. A thorough understanding of how your skin changes as you age and how the sun affects your skin can help you decide with your doctor what treatment is best.
See How the Sun Damages Your Skin

How Can I Maintain Healthy Skin? The best way to keep skin healthy is to avoid sun exposure beginning early in life. Here are some other tips: Do not sunbathe or visit tanning salons and try to stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. If you are in the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., always wear protective clothing -- such as a hat, longsleeved shirt, and sunglasses. Put on sunscreen lotion before going out in the sun to help protect your skin from UV light. Remember to reapply the lotion as needed. Always use products that are SPF (sun protection factor) 15 or higher. It is also important to choose broad spectrum products that provide both UVB and UVA protection. Check your skin often for signs of skin cancer. If there are changes that worry you, call the doctor right away. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests that older, fair-skinned people have a yearly skin check by a doctor as part of a regular physical check-up. Relieve dry skin problems by using a humidifier at home, bathing with soap less often (use a moisturizing body wash instead), and using a moisturizing lotion. If this doesn't work, see your doctor. What Are the Treatment Options for Aging Skin? The doctor's palette of resurfacing options for aging skin continues to expand. In patients with early skin changes, nonsurgical treatment methods such as tretinoin,vitamin C, and alpha hydroxy acids may provide satisfactory improvement.Chemical peels, dermabrasion, and laserabrasion may be used alone or in combination with other surgical procedures to treat moderate to severe degrees of facial sun damage. Deeper facial lines may be treated with botulinum toxin or soft tissue enhancement, including collagen, autologous fat, and Goretex implants. Patients with more sagging, excess skin may benefit from additional procedures such as a facelift, browlift, or blepharoplasty (surgical reconstruction of the eyelid). Treatment must be individualized according to the patient's facial characteristics and cosmetic concerns. Here is more detail about some of the more popular treatment options: Chemical peels. Chemical peels are effective for removing fine lines and smoothing out the skin. Chemical peels remove the upper surface of the skin to expose newer, clearer skin. After the upper layers of the skin have been removed, a new layer of skin develops. Chemical peels can be used in areas, such as around the eye and mouth, that are not improved by a facelift. Depending on the patient's skin type and degree of sun damage, a superficial, medium, or deep chemical peel may be the appropriate treatment. Dermabrasion. Dermabrasion removes lines and some scarring and can be used to treat moderate to severe sun damage, also called photodamage. In dermabrasion, the doctor sands away the top layer of skin, thus it has similar side effects and complications as medium to deep chemical peels. However, because of the bleeding associated with dermabrasion and variations in skill and technique, the control of wounding is not as accurate as with current resurfacing technology. Dermabrasion is not done on the thin skin around the eyes. Care must also be taken when dermabrading the skin around the mouth. Laser resurfacing. In the past few years, the development of high-energy lasers has enhanced doctors' ability to improve sun damaged skin, various types of scars, and other dermatologic conditions. The precise depth control and ability to treat large areas in a relatively short amount of time makes these lasers valuable tools. Before laser resurfacing is performed, your doctor will discuss with you other treatment options, what to expect during recovery, how to take care of your skin after the procedure, and possible side effects and complications. Camouflage makeup suggestions will also be discussed.