The main cause of damage to the skin comes from intense exposure from the sun. This damage is caused by the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays, which break down elastic tissue (elastin) in the skin. This causes the skin to stretch, wrinkle, sag, or become blotchy. This can also cause pre-cancerous growths or skin cancer.

Other contributing factors such as obesity, stress, or smiling/frowning per day effect skin aging. Remember hearing about how it takes more muscles to frown than smile? Or how about hearing one of your parents saying that your face will receive a certain way? There is a lot of truth as to how facial expressions can affect how elastic your skin is as you age.

Some skin changes that happen as you age include:

• Rough or dry skin
• Loose facial skin around the eyes, cheeks, and/or jawline
• Transparent or thinned skin (skin that looks paper thin)
• Easy bruising

Common skin conditions in the elderly include:

• Wrinkles: follows chronic sun exposure; smokers also tend to have more wrinkles than non-smokers
• Facial movement lines: called ‘laugh lines’ or ‘worry lines’ and these become more visible as you age; can be located at mouth corner, upper cheeks, and around eyes.
• Dry/itching skin: oil glands are lost as you age so it is important to keep skin hydrated with moisturizer or lotions.
• Skin cancer: Sun exposure (UV rays) is the most common cause so avoid over-exposure of sun and tanning beds.
• Age spots: brown patches that appear on body parts (face, hands, and forearms)
• Bedsores: these are also called pressure ulcers and these occur when you lie or sit in a bed, chair, etc for long periods of time

Can these skin conditions be treated? Unfortunately, nothing can be done to undo sun damage to skin; however, the skin can occasionally repair itself. Here are a few skin healthy tips:

• Use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more
• Wear a hat and long sleeves when outdoors and sunglasses that block UV rays
• Avoid the use of tanning beds or sunlamps
• Examine yourself on a regular basis for any change in moles or any new growths

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