Why Does Our Skin "Age”?

Good question! Why could we not “forever” look like we did in our early 20’s?

You can often form an idea of how old someone is by looking at his or her face - specifically the skin (just don’t be brave enough to say what you think!). Generally, as people age, the skin normally develops wrinkles. If the person has spent a lot of time in the sun, or at tanning salons, he or she might have a lot of wrinkles – even at a much younger age. All of this is even further accelerated by smoking cigarettes.

When a person is young – in their teens or early twenties - he or she doesn't (yet!) have wrinkles because the skin does a marvelous job of stretching as well as holding in moisture. The dermis (which is the middle layer of the skin between the upper layer [epidermis] and the innermost layer [subcutaneous layer]) has an elastic quality thanks to fibers called elastin.  Elastin keeps the skin looking and feeling young. A protein in the dermis called collagen also plays a part in preventing wrinkles. Collagen functions almost like “scaffolding”, giving the skin its structural strength.

Over time, the middle layer of the skin loses both collagen and elastin. The collagen in the face becomes less elastic and allows the soft tissue features of the face to sag. The skin therefore gets thinner and has trouble getting enough moisture to the upper layer (epidermis). The plump appearance of the skin in the “younger years” is given to it by the fat in the subcutaneous layer. This fat also begins to disappear, with the result that the epidermis starts to sag, and sadly, wrinkles form.

Fortunately, or unfortunately, depending on whether you inherited the “good genes” in the family, there's not a magic age (like 40) when everyone suddenly gets wrinkles. Some people even in their 20’s start developing little wrinkles around their eyes (called "crow's feet"). This could be from squinting or spending too much time in the sun, but could also be genetic.

Other - very fortunate! - people may be in their 50’s or even 60’s before you can even see a wrinkle. To be in this (small) category, you would almost certainly have "good genes" - which means you family members don't have many wrinkles. Furthermore, you would have taken good care of your skin over the years and may have more sebum, the skin's natural oil. Eventually everyone shows some wrinkles.  It's a natural part of the aging process – some are just better at resisting the inevitable aging process, either through their genes or through good skin care over an extended period of time.

Noel Halgreen

Sōna MedSpa

Comments

[George]

I would like to suggest for your evaluation. Biologically active and transdermal gel collagen, COSMECEUTICALS with cure effects on skin, eyes, nails, hair and the whole body. Natural Collagen offers excellent and quick results, 100% natural, pure, live and biologically active. Contains no artificial additives, no coloring and is odorless. It does not cause skin addiction nor it has any undesirable side effects.

[cute]

hello pow!! ask ko lng po kung pano
matatanggal ang pagka sag ng skin ko sa face.pag yumuyuko ako lumalay n skin ko sa face.ang pangit!!!ano poh b dpat ko gawin? im 40 yrs old...bukod s buttoks ano pwde treatment? tnx 2 ur column sna msaot mo tanong ko.

[cute]

hello pow!! ask ko lng po kung pano
matatanggal ang pagka sag ng skin ko sa face.pag yumuyuko ako lumalay n skin ko sa face.ang pangit!!!ano poh b dpat ko gawin? im 40 yrs old...bukod s buttoks ano pwde treatment? tnx 2 ur column sna msaot mo tanong ko.