How your skin ages

As we get older certain changes occur in our body and skin. To the extent that we take good care of our bodies and especially our skin we can prevent the development of many conditions as well as ward off the unnecessary signs of aging of the skin.

As we age the epidermal layer becomes thinner and more vulnerable to external factors such as sun exposure and pollutants. The skin also secretes less oil and thus becomes drier, especially in the facial and neck areas. The already thin skin around the eyes becomes fragile and lines appear. Since blood vessels decrease both in number and size with the passing of time fewer nutrients are transported to the skin . This has the result of dulling the skin colour. With fewer nutrients and a poorer blood supply, the skin regenerates it self at a slower rate. Fewer skin cells are replaced and therefore more older and dead cells remain at the top layer for longer. This is often described as a skin that is lifeless and in need of rejuvenation. There are a number of treatment and cosmeceutical options that can be used to restore the skin to a more youthful appearance. Excess layers of dead cells can be removed, additional nutrition can be given to the skin and further damage warded off by the application of protective and restorative products. Your aesthetic specialist at The Melrose Aesthetic Centre can advise you on the options that are available to you.

With exposure to the harmful effects of the sun and environmental pollutants a number of changes take place in the skin. Collagen and elastin levels are decreased through exposure to the sun and pollutants resulting in a thinning and sagging of the skin. These are changes that can take place through the normal aging process however they are exacerbated even further with this exposure.

Nutrients, including vitamins, minerals and water amongst others in our diet are critical to the normal functioning of the skin. A shortage of these caused either by a poor diet or by a decreased blood supply to the skin results in a skin that is less healthy and more likely to show the signs of aging. The body and the skin cannot be sustained a poor diet, insufficient exercise and too little fluids. Skin sagging takes place as the firmness and tone of the skin is lost, and even our lips show signs of aging through the appearance of vertical lines and loss of definition.

The repeat of certain facial expressions such as laughing and frowning cause lines to appear around the eyes, on the forehead, between the eye brows and around the mouth. In the early stages these lines may only be apparent on movement, however with the passing of time they may even be apparent at rest. Lines caused by repeated facial expression can be treated and to the greatest extent eliminated with non surgical treatments. Skin sag takes place as the firmness and tone is lost, and even our lips show signs of aging through vertical lines and loss of definition.

Smoking and excessive alcohol intake can seriously harm the beauty of your skin and are major contributors to premature aging. The toxins from cigarette smoke causes not only the appearance of lines around the mouth but also on the rest of the face due to a destruction of the supporting collagen in our skin.

Other factors such as not sleeping enough and not sleeping at night also influence the regeneration ability of the skin. Proper sleep patterns, cleansing of the skin, using the right skin care products, following a healthy diet and limiting exposure to pollutants and the harmful rays of the sun, all contribute to a healthier and younger looking skin.