The skin is the largest organ of the human body, covering approximately two square meters and weighing about 5 kg. It is the most visible sign of aging. Evidence of increasing age includes wrinkles and sagging skin.
The skin has many functions: it protects from the environment, helps regulate body temperature, fluid and electrolyte balance, and provides receptors for sensations such as touch, pain, and pressure.
It can be divided into three main parts: the epidermis, which contains skin cells, pigment, and proteins; the dermis, which contains blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, and sebaceous glands and supplies nutrients to the epidermis; and the hypodermis, which contains sweat glands, some hair follicles, blood vessels, and fat.
Each layer contains connective tissue, with collagen fibers for support and elastin fibers for flexibility and strength.
Changes in the skin are related to environmental factors, genetic makeup, nutrition, and other factors, but the most important factor is sun exposure. UV light is the main external agent of skin aging.
Skin Changes Due to Aging.
Due to the passage of years, the epidermis thins, the number of melanocytes decreases, and the skin appears paler and more translucent. Large pigmented spots can appear in sun-exposed areas.
Changes in connective tissue reduce the skin's strength and elasticity, which is known as elastosis.
Blood vessels in the dermis become more fragile, leading to ecchymosis and bleeding under the skin, and angiomas, which are benign skin masses.
Sebaceous glands produce less oil as one ages.
The subcutaneous fat layer, which provides insulation and cushioning, thins, increasing the risk of skin injury and reducing the ability to maintain body temperature.
Sweat glands produce less sweat, making it more difficult to stay cool and increasing the risk of hyperthermia or heatstroke.
The effects of aging include an increased risk of skin lesions, as the skin thins, becomes more fragile, and loses its subcutaneous fat layer, which in turn can decrease tactile sensitivity, pressure sensitivity, vibration, heat, and cold.
Friction or a pull can cause skin tears, and fragile blood vessels break easily. Skin changes and loss of subcutaneous fat, combined with a person's tendency toward a sedentary lifestyle, as well as some nutritional deficiencies and other diseases, contribute to the appearance of pressure ulcers.
Signs of Skin Aging.
Some of the signs of aging and their causes are:
- Thinning and wrinkles: cell production in the epidermis decreases. The dermis may appear thinner, causing the skin to wrinkle.
- Loss of firmness: the skin produces less elastin and collagen. With their decrease, the skin succumbs to the forces of gravity, sagging and drooping.
- Age spots: Melanocytes increase in certain areas and cluster together, forming spots.
- Dryness: the skin has fewer sweat and oil glands.
The speed and degree of aging are partly due to genetic factors and the influence of our lifestyle habits.
Prevention.
Good prevention and adequate lifestyle habits, such as facial exercises, are the best weapons to keep our skin beautiful.
The main harmful agents causing aging are:
- The sun: UV rays emitted by the sun destroy the collagen and elastin in our skin. They also act as a producer of pigmentation. Some of the problems associated with aging are the result of excessive sun exposure.
- Cigarettes: smoking causes severe adverse effects on the skin, as nicotine constricts blood vessels and prevents blood from circulating to the small vessels in the epidermis. Other effects include the destruction of collagen and a decrease in the speed of skin healing.
- Pollution and the environment: living in a polluted area means our skin is covered by a layer of pollution and dirt that clogs our pores. Continuously moving from places with central heating to others with air conditioning can cause skin problems, drying out and rehydrating alternately.
- Stress and lack of sleep: the skin is one of the first organs to show us the external symptoms of stress (dryness, sensitivity, spots, and excess oil). It is also necessary to get the required hours of sleep, as this is when our bodies and skin have time to recover.
- Dehydration: it is essential that we drink at least 2 liters of water a day.
- Poor nutrition: it is advisable to maintain a healthy and balanced diet.
Genetically, it is determined that the skin will lose elasticity and its ability to retain water will decrease.