Aging Wrinkles
The changes that occur as we get older are both in appearance and in how we function. However, aging is not something that happens at the same rate in all people, although all of us do age. The part of aging that happens just because we are older is called intrinsic. The two things that are recognized to cause intrinsic aging changes are direct changes in the tissues themselves which cause a changed appearance, or changes in other organs, such the organs that produce hormones.
An example of an intrinsic change that happens in the tissue itself is the graying of hair. Hormonal changes, such as the change in the secretion of sebum in the skin, happens because of decreased production of androgen hormones elsewhere in the body.
But there are many features of the aging process that are the result of external or extrinsic factors. Prevention is avoiding these extrinsic factors that can increase the aging process. And, of course, there are specific treatments that we can have done, which will alter appearance.
We review here how aging happens, and how this affects some aspects of our appearance, and how aging can be prevented.
Aging of the skin is called atrophy by doctors. Visual and microscopic changes appear with a decrease in the connective tissue of the skin. Skin appears rougher, finely wrinkled, soft, and dry. The lower layer of the skin, the dermis, becomes thinner. Veins and other structures in the skin can appear much more noticeable because of this change. Small, red blood vessels can appear in numbers. The skin can bruise easily, look fragile, and doesn't heal as readily.
Age spots, or liver spots, in common language are called lentigos by physicians, and appear in ever increasing numbers on sun exposed skin. The color of the skin changes, and gets a yellow-grey hue. The skin has less elasticity, and is less firm, with sagging.
The color or pigment of the skin changes as we age. Discolorations show up as darker pigmented spots, on hands, face, back, chest, and legs. Studies have shown that over 50% of people over the age of 45 have these spots. And studies done in heavily pigmented people indicate that pigmentation increases with age in sun-exposed areas and affects men more than women.
Miscellaneous Effects of Aging
Sebum production in the skin decreases, as do underarm secretions, resulting in less odor. Spontaneous sweating in the rest of the skin also decreases. Nail growth starts to decrease early, after the age of 25. The sense of touch decreases, and this may result in an increase in the ability to bear pain. The immune system is less responsive, resulting in greater risk of chronic skin infection, and increased risk of sun-induced skin cancers (basal cell and squamous cell).
Prevention
At least for skin changes, retarding the aging process can be achieved by avoiding sun exposure and using sun blocks. This process will also decrease the likelihood of having a sun-induced skin cancer. Topical retinoids contained naturally in Rose Hip Oil and skin repairing bio-available ingredients in BIOSKINCARE for aging wrinkles treatment may also be effective in prevention. Importantly, smoking is as injurious to skin as the sun is. Smokers face a five-fold (500%) greater risk of skin abnormalities at any given age than do non-smokers. Smoking cessation is thus an important part of looking younger.
Treatments
There are many treatments for wrinkled and sun-damaged skin. These include chemical peels, microdermabrasion, implants, botox injections, laser skin resurfacing, face-lifts and other types of plastic surgery, and others. We offer a unique natural product for aging skin care. It protects the skin from the effects of UV radiation, moisturizes, repairs DNA damage, degrades damaged skin cells into their component aminoacids and other elelments and releases those for the rebuilding of a healthy skin, renews the skin at the proper pace. Leaves your skin silky soft and soothed.
Last modified: November 30, 2007