[ad_1]
While signs of aging such as wrinkles and varicose veins are well known, thinning of the skin – a natural progression in which your epidermis becomes weak – is less often discussed. While this skin condition occurs naturally over time, especially for people with lighter skinits effects can be painful and painful.
Signs of skin thinning
Thinning results in the skin becoming more transparent and more delicate, almost like tissue paper. “You’ll notice scarring more easily because of the loss of collagen around the blood vessels,” explains the medical and cosmetic dermatologist. dr. Azadeh Shirazi. “It’s especially visible on the back of the hands and arms, a condition called actinic purple.”
Because your skin is literally thin, it can also tear more easily if you run into something sharp, or scratch yourself with long nails, the dermatologist added. Dr. Anand Geria, of Geria Dermatology in New Jersey. “If you have thin skin and you cry easily, then you are at risk of infection,” he said. “And the older you are, the less able your body is to fight infections and you can have serious problems.”
Beyond the physical effects of thinning skin, the appearance of this skin condition can also affect mental health. “People are embarrassed because they have black and blue on their arms. These are people who are usually used to wearing skirts and short shorts, and now they are embarrassed to wear those things,” said Geria, adding that many of his elderly patients feel this way despite the fact that skin thinning is a normal part of aging.
Common causes of thinning skin
Thinning of the skin occurs primarily due to the loss of two important proteins in the skin, collagen and elastin, explained Geria. Collagen provides structure and support to the skin, while elastin provides elasticity. For example, people at a younger age who pull their skin away from their body will find it quickly snaps back into shape. However, over time, as your elastin levels decrease, the skin will take longer to recover. “Elastin loss is mostly due to the sun, but also—to a certain extent—necessarily due to chronological aging,” Geria said.
The loss of elastin and collagen is the main one caused by UV radiation, or constant sun exposure without protection in the form of sunscreen, hats, or long-sleeve shirts. “We tend to see [skin thinning] more in areas exposed to the sun. For example, you can see thin skin on the top of your hands and on your arms, more than you can see on your stomach,” explains Geria.
Apart from sun exposure, your genetics and the amount of melanin in your skin also influences skin thinning. “Melanin, to some extent, acts like a low-grade skin barrier,” explains Geria. “So when we see thinning of the skin, that affects people with lighter skin more. They don’t have the melanin to protect them from the sun’s rays.”
What you can do to slow down the thinning of the skin
Both Geria and Shirazi agree that limiting exposure to sunlight—and wearing proper sun protection if you do go outside—is the number one way to take care of your skin at every stage of life. “Limiting sun exposure and practicing sun protection is one of the most important ways to preserve the quality of your skin,” says Shirazi. Make sure you wear SPF every day (even if you work inside), wear a hat, and limit your exposure to sunlight.
Lifestyle factors—such as diet and exercise—can also improve the health of your body’s largest organs. “Scientists believe that when you exercise, muscles release myokines, IL-15 in particular, which may have an anti-aging effect on the skin,” said Shirazi. “Exercise also improves blood flow and oxygen to the skin, and when you sweat, your pores release oil and dirt, leaving you with a healthy workout glow.” Although moderate exercise can positively affect the health of your skin.
How to care for thin skin
If you’re already experiencing thinning skin, it’s still important to wear sunscreen and a hat and limit your exposure to sunlight to prevent your skin from becoming more sensitive.
You should also be mindful of how you dress. “Your risk of getting tears in your skin is more likely if you wear short shirts and shorts. So when you wear things that cover your skin, you get an extra layer of protection so that if you run into a sharp corner of a table, it won’t tear a piece of your skin, said Geria. You should also consider keeping your nails short, so they don’t catch on your skin.
From a skin care point of view, Shirazi has some recommendations to help strengthen your skin barrier. “Using retinol-based creams helps to stimulate the production of collagen and hyaluronic acid, preserve the destruction of viral skin structures, and improve circulation,” he said. Shirazi also recommends trying products with vitamin C, which plays a role in collagen synthesis, as well as products with CoQ10, an antioxidant that “positively influences age-related cell metabolism, ” he said.
You may also consider visiting a dermatologist or a cosmetic dermatologist who can make specific recommendations based on where your skin is showing the most signs of thinning. For example, a skin specialist may recommend fillers that have bio-stimulative effects that stimulate collagen production in targeted areas such as the chest, neck, and arms, Geria explains.
As you deal with your thin skin, also remember that you are not alone. No matter how well you protect yourself from sun damage and take care of your body, this part of aging is almost universal—and countless other people have gone through the same experience.
[ad_2]
Source link