Aging is a natural process that occurs over time. When you age, all the major systems in your body, such as your cardiovascular, urinary and musculoskeletal systems, are affected. Some people age faster than others, therefore the aging process is not the same for everyone. Your skin is affected by aging and by other factors such as the environment. Factors like the sun and lifestyle habits such as smoking can accelerate the rate at which your skin ages. Your skin goes through some changes that affect its appearance and function as it ages.
Function
According to the book "Skin Cancer," the skin is the largest organ in your body. It has several functions, some of which are affected by aging. Your skin acts a barrier that prevents infection-causing organisms from gaining entrance into your body. Aging causes your skin to become thin and easily bruised. This compromises its function as a barrier. Body temperature is regulated by your skin through sweat production, but as you age, sweat production decreases, leading to impaired thermoregulation.
Appearance of Liver Spots
Liver spots are also called age spots, senile or solar lentigines, and lentigos. They are round, flat patches of skin that are black or brown in color. Liver spots appear on your skin as a result of excessive sun exposure and aging. They typically occur on areas of the body that are often exposed to the sun, such as your face, your forearms, the backs of your hands and your shoulders. According to Mayo Clinic, aging makes your skin produce extra melanocytes---color- or pigment-producing cells found in your skin---that lead to the development of liver spots.
Wrinkles
MedlinePlus suggests that most wrinkles are associated with normal aging. Excessive exposure to sunlight or habits such as smoking can make you age quickly and develop wrinkles. Collagen and elastin are proteins found in your skin. They work together to keep your skin resilient, elastic, firm and free of wrinkles. According to the book "Toward Healthy Aging," as you age, your body produces less collagen, and the amount of elastin in your skin diminishes. These age-related changes lead to wrinkles forming in your skin.
Skin Glands
Dry, itchy and flaky skin are skin changes that occur as you age. Your skin contains oil glands that help prevent dry skin. As you age, the number of oil glands in your skin decreases, and this causes dry skin. Another type of gland found in your skin are the sweat glands, which produce sweat. Aging causes your skin to produce less sweat and as a result, your skin is unable to regulate your body temperature as efficiently.
Fragility
Your skin has three layers: the epidermis, the dermis and subcutaneous tissue. The book "Lippincott Manual of Nursing Practice" states that as you age, the three layers of your skin become thinner. This leads to a lack of protection of the blood vessels beneath your skin as well as fragile skin. As a result of this, your skin bruises easily and any skin injury requires a longer time to heal.
References
- MedlinePlus: Wrinkles
- American Society for Dermatologic Surgery: Liver spots and aging hands information
- "Toward Healthy Aging: Human Needs and Nursing Response"; Priscilla Ebersole, Patricia A. Hess, Ann Schmidt Luggen; 2004
- Mayo Clinic: Age spots (Liver Spots)
- "Skin Cancer"; Keyvan Nouri; 2007
Member Comments