Our skin ages with us. While we can’t rewind the clock, we can take steps to reduce time’s unwanted effects on our skin. The way our skin ages depends on many factors like our lifestyle, diet, heredity and personal habits, including our skin care routine. Anti-aging facial treatments are some of the best non-invasive ways to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and minor skin discolorations. As we age, we may choose to include facials as part of our skincare regimen.
At Nina K’s clinic, we are committed to stunning results, and strive to become your partner in skin rejuvenation, beauty and health.
What are the visible signs of aging skin?
As we age, skin visibly changes in several ways and a lot of it has to do things beyond our control. As we age skin becomes:
- Rough, dry and itchy.
- Slack. The loss of the elastic tissue (elastin and collagen) in the skin with age causes the skin to become slack and hang loosely.
- Transparent. This is caused by thinning of the epidermis (surface layer of the skin) and dermis (deeper layer of the skin).
- Fragile. Increased skin fragility is caused by flattening of the area where the epidermis and dermis (layer of skin under the epidermis) come together.
- More easily bruised. This is caused by thinner blood vessel walls.
- More prone to developing skin lesions, such as non-cancerous (benign) tumors.
How does the sun cause aging of the skin (photoaging)?
Over time, the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light damages certain fibers in the skin called elastin. The breakdown of elastin fibers causes the skin to sag, stretch, and lose its ability to snap back after stretching.
The skin also bruises and tears more easily and takes longer to heal. So, while sun damage may not show when you’re young, it will later in life.
What other factors cause changes to your skin?
- Gravity;
- Obesity;
- Daily facial movements;
- Sleeping position;
- Smoking
- Dry and itchy skin. Dry skin is common in later life. About 85% of older people develop “winter itch,” because overheated indoor air is dry.
What below-the-skin changes cause the aging seen in the face?
Aging skin change the appearance of our face by;
- Loss of fat below the skin in our cheeks, temples, chin, nose and eye area. This may result in loosening skin, sunken eyes and a “skeletal” appearance.
- Bone loss may become evident after age 50 and cause slack skin and puckering of the skin around our mouth.
- Cartilage loss in the nose causes drooping of the nasal tip and makes the bony structures in the nose easier to see.