As we get older, our skin undergoes a number of changes. How skin ages depends on several factors such as lifestyle, diet and heredity. The most common characteristic of elderly skin is dryness. This is because as we age, our skin begins to thin and as it thins, it is less able to retain moisture. Voila! You have dry skin. To combat this, add a moisturizing cream to your nightly skincare routine.
Common Skin Conditions in Older Adults:
» Wrinkles: Wrinkles are the most visible sign of aging skin. They follow chronic sun exposure and form when the skin loses its flexibility. Smokers also tend to have more wrinkles than nonsmokers.
» Facial movement lines: These lines (often known as “laugh lines” and “worry lines”) become more visible as the skin loses its elasticity (in your 40′s or 50′s). The lines may be horizontal on the forehead, vertical above the nose, or curved on the temples, upper cheeks, and around the mouth and eyes.
» Age spots: “Age spots” are brown patches that appear on sun-exposed parts of the body (face, hands, and forearms), usually during the adult years.
Sun damage is another common trait of aging skin. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, skin damage from the sun is due to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light, which “breaks down elastic tissue (elastin) in the skin and causes the skin to stretch, sag, wrinkle, and become blotchy, occasionally with pre-cancerous growths and even skin cancer.”
Nothing can undo sun damage, but the skin can occasionally repair itself. Here are some tips to help keep your skin healthy.
– Use sunscreen when outdoors. Sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more provides the most protection.
– Wear a hat and long sleeves when outdoors and sunglasses that block UV rays.
– Avoid the use of tanning booths and sunlamps.
– Examine yourself regularly for “changing moles” and new growths.
If you need more serious help with skincare or something else that is troubling your body, we are here to help. Skin health is an important part of total body wellness. Schedule an appointment today with one of our board certified physicians to get your skin the care it needs so it can reach its fullest, healthiest potential.
Call today at 865-690-9467 to schedule an appointment with Knoxville Dermatology Group.
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