Aging Skin
Our skin changes as we age.
These changes are slow and continuous, starting in our twenties.
What Happens?
The deep layers of fat that give skin its plump fullness starts to disappear, leading to thinner skin and hollowed areas near the eyes, and cheeks. This can also be seen on the hands where the loss of fat makes the tendons and blood vessels more noticeable.
The skin develops fine lines, wrinkles and darkened spots from years of sun exposure. And the loss of pigment leads to paler skin and gray or white hairs.
Each Person is Different
Each person’s skin appears to age at a different pace. Some people inherit skin that looks ten years younger. There are also lifestyle choices that can make our skin age even faster than normal. This includes over-exposure to sunlight (UV radiation) and smoking.
Just a few minutes of sun exposure each day can cause noticeable changes to the skin over time. The term photoaging is used to describe this sun-related skin damage. In sunny climates, photoaging may be seen in people as early as in their twenties.
To minimize the premature aging of the skin, protect your skin from sun exposure. If you are a smoker, you may see improvement in your skin after quitting, even if you have smoked for many years.
Treatments for Aging Skin
If you are bothered by visible signs of aging, a variety of treatments are available to improve your skin’s appearance.
Over-the-counter products, such as moisturizers and “cosmeceuticals,” products containing agents designed to reduce the signs of aging, such as alpha-hydroxy acids or antioxidants.
Topical retinoids have been shown to reduce fine wrinkles, splotchy darkened areas, and signs of chronic sun exposure.
Botulinum toxin (Botox) is injected into targeted facial muscles to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Dermal fillers (collagen, Restylane, Juvederm) are substances that are injected into the skin to make it look fuller. This is also called soft-tissue augmentation.
Dermabrasion uses a rapidly rotating brush to remove the top layer of so that a new, smoother layer grows in its place.
Chemical peels use a chemical to remove the damaged outer layers of skin, exposing new layers of skin below for an improved appearance.
Laser resurfacing helps correct wrinkles and age spots through use of a laser. The laser light causes the skin to generate new tissue that makes the skin fuller and more youthful appearing.
Microdermabrasion gently scrapes away the top most layer of damaged skin to trigger the growth of new layers.
These treatments may be used alone, or in combination with others for a more complete skin care regimen. For instance, someone may first receive Botox and a dermal filler, followed by ongoing use of a topical retinoid.
Your dermatologist will recommend a treatment plan based on several factors, including:
- Areas to be treated
- Your skin type (oily vs. dry, light vs. dark)
- Results of past treatments
- Your personal preferences
Take Care of Your Skin
Aging skin should be examined regularly for precancerous and cancerous lesions. Doing this at home is referred to as a skin self-exam.
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