There are many changes that take place in your body as you age, some of which you are familiar with and some you may not be. Because the skin is so visible, many of the age-related changes that occur in skin are among the first that you'll notice and include sagging, wrinkles and pigmentation spots. What you may not so easily notice is that your skin actually becomes thinner as you age.
Normal Functions of Skin
Your skin is the largest organ of your body and plays many important roles besides just forming an external covering. Through the function of its sweat glands, skin helps to maintain your body temperature, dissipating excess heat by evaporating sweat. By varying the amount of salt and electrolytes lost through sweat, the skin also helps regulate electrolyte balance. Certain toxins may also be eliminated from the body through the sweat. The skin also contains many sensory receptors that provide information about the external environment, such as temperature.
The Structure of Skin
The skin consists of three layers: an external layer of cells called the epidermis, a middle layer of connective tissue fibers, glands and nerve endings called the dermis, and an inner layer of fat cells known as the hypodermis. The thickness of the hypodermis varies according to body fat levels while the thickness of the dermis is fairly constant among people. The thickness of the epidermis is highly variable in different body regions being thickest on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
Aging and Hormones
The building and maintenance of many body tissues and structures, including skin, is regulated by hormones. Among the most prominent of these are growth hormone, released by the pituitary gland, and testosterone, release by the testes in men and, to a lesser amount, by the adrenal glands in both women and men. The level of both of these hormones declines as you age, beginning in your early 20s and accelerating after age 50.
Aging and Thinning Skin
As you age, the overall thickness of your skin will decrease due to changes in all three skin layers. The reduction of fat that occurs throughout the body will also result in thinning of the hypodermis, the fatty lower layer of your skin. As growth hormone and testosterone decline, the connective tissue of the dermis will thin. Cells within the epidermis will become smaller and thinner, and, although the number of cell layers remains constant, the epidermis will thin as well.
Treatments for Thinning Skin
Exposure to excessive sunlight should be avoided, as older skin will burn more easily. A well-balanced diet with adequate levels of protein will help maintain the connective tissue of the dermis. Be sure to drink plenty of fluids to maintain healthy levels of hydration, because dehydration will further thin your skin. Exercise is important, as it will stimulate the production of growth hormone. Finally, be sure to get enough sleep, as growth hormone release occurs during the normal sleep cycle.
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