Why Does Skin Age?

Aging skin may be a product of simple chemistry inside the body, but it’s not something that many people look forward to seeing. We live in an age of science in which just about any unwanted effects of aging can be reversed, but it’s still important to understand exactly why signs of aging occur to begin with.

Understanding the Skin

The skin is composed of the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue layers. The epidermis forms the skin’s surface with a tough and water-resistant nature that holds the dark pigment called melanin. The dermis is the middle layer with all of the nerves, fats, elastin, and collagen fibers that provide the skin with its elasticity and contour. Deep below the dermis is the subcutaneous layer of tissue that holds internal organs in place.

The Types of Aging

The body suffers intrinsic and extrinsic aging over the years. Intrinsic aging occurs regardless of outside influences and skincare habits because each year after the age of 20 the body produces less and less collagen. As a result, the skin eventually loses its elasticity and becomes more brittle, wrinkled, and saggy.

External aging, on the other hand, is controllable and a result of environmental and lifestyle elements like smoking, sun exposure, eating habits, and skincare product choices. Free radicals are the enemies that cause chemical changes in the skin, but the skin’s ability to fight free radicals decreases over the years. The results of external aging include sun spots, dramatic loss of collagen and elastin, brown patches, and wrinkles.

Prevention and Treatment

Prevention is the key, of course, to avoiding external aging and reducing the impacts of intrinsic aging. Use of gentle sun screen every single day, regardless of the weather, can work miracles in protecting against sun damage, and Retin-A anti-aging cream can benefit the skin for people as young as 25. Staying hydrated can also make a remarkable difference for healthy skin.

While prevention is a very important element to skin care, some amount of damage will still occur. Different cosmetic procedures like facials, peels, laser treatments, dermal fillers, and other options can reverse signs of aging to help maintain a truly youthful appearance.