CAUSES OF AGING: SKIN AGING
This section is largely focused on the aging of facial
skin, as this is the most delicate, and most frequently
exposed to sunlight, however, the information pertains
to all skin.
Intrinsic Aging of Skin
Intrinsic genetic factors determine how quickly the
normal aging process evolves. Intrinsic aging of the
skin results from:
- Slowing collagen production
- Reduction in elastin production
- Slowing of the production of new skin cells and
the shedding of old dead skin.
These aging processes commence at 20, but their impact
is not visible until approximately 20 years later. Typical
signs of aging are first noticed in the skin and hair,
including:
- Thinning of the skin, making blood vessels more
visible
- Fine wrinkles
- Hollowed cheeks and eyes sockets from loss of underlying
fat
- Loss of firmness and elasticity of skin on the
hands and neck
- Dry skin and itching skin
-
Hair loss – varies greatly in the population,
with significant hair loss as early as the 20’s
-
Greying of the hair – this can be noticeable
as young as 30
- Unwanted facial hair in women
Other visible indicators include:
- Thinning of the fingernail plates, with the appearance
of ridges and loss of half moons.
- Bones shrink away from the skin due to bone loss,
which causes sagging skin
- Inability to sweat sufficiently to cool the skin
Little can be done to alter ones genetic predisposition
to the rate of aging. Extrinsic factors, however are
mostly under our control.
Extrinsic Aging of the Skin
Extrinsic factors include:
All of these factors, other than gravity are controllable.
Photoaging
Photoaging occurs over a number of years as exposure
causes the skin loses the ability to repair itself.
Repeated ultraviolet (UV) exposure breaks down collagen
and impairs the synthesis of new collagen and elastin.
The impact of the damage compounds, with just 15.
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