With age comes wisdom. Unfortunately, age spots, wrinkles, and saggy skin come with it, too.
The aging you see in the mirror comes from forces inside and outside your body.
Inside, genetics and a drop in your levels of the hormones estrogen and testosterone can affect skin moisture, elasticity, and thickness, says Larry Fan, MD, a plastic surgeon in San Francisco. As you get older, your skin cells also have a harder time repairing themselves.
Outside, UV rays from the sun break down collagen, make your skin less stretchy, and can lead to premature aging and even skin cancer, Fan says. The effects of toxins like pollution and lifestyle factors like smoking and stress all play a role in skin aging. You’ll never be 21 again. But you can slow down or even erase the toll the years take on your skin.
What Time Does to Our Skin
Aging causes specific skin changes, like:
- Dryness. Your skin produces less oil and holds onto less moisture.
- Wrinkles. These are caused by a lack of collagen and elastin – your skin’s supportive connective tissue.
- Sagging. The pull of gravity, a loss of fat under your skin, and less collagen add up to saggy skin.
- Age spots. The sun can cause dark spots on the skin of your face, arms, and other exposed areas.
- Changes in blood vessels. Small blood vessels can swell and can be seen under the skin.
- Easy bruising. Blood vessels get more fragile and you bruise easier.
- Slow healing. Your skin’s ability to repair itself weakens because your immune system changes as you age.
- Thin skin. The top layer of skin called the epidermis gets fragile, sensitive, and can tear easily.
- Precancerous spots. Rough, scaly patches (called actinic keratosis) form on sun-exposed areas.
- Skin cancer. Basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma are more common with age, especially in people who have had a lot of sun exposure.
Keep an eye out for any changes in moles or other growths anywhere on your skin. It’s a good idea to go to a dermatologist (skin doctor) for a skin check to make sure nothing is concerning. If the doctor finds something, you may need a biopsy. That’s when the dermatologist takes the growth or a piece of it off your skin to be checked for precancerous or cancerous cells.
Easy Fixes for Healthy Aging Skin
Simple steps can help your skin look more hydrated and glowing:
Shower shorter. A long, leisurely shower may feel great, but it’s not so wonderful for your skin. Opt for short, warm showers. Longer, hotter ones can strip the skin of natural oils, says Kristopher Day, MD, an aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgeon in Bellevue, WA.
Don’t turn the tub into a skating rink. Slips and falls in the bathroom are common as people age. Don’t add bath oil because it can make the tub too slippery.
Be gentle. Use mild, fragrance-free cleansers instead of harsh soap to maintain the skin’s natural barrier. Pat your skin dry.
Moisturize. Slather on moisturizers that contain hyaluronic acid for hydration.
Protect your skin from the sun. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher every day. This can protect against aging from the sun and lower your risk of skin cancer. Wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and long-sleeve shirts can give you added protection.
Live healthy. Eat a diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids. Drink plenty of water to keep your body and skin hydrated.
Stop smoking. Lighting up speeds up aging and forms wrinkles. Quitting improves circulation.
Get your ZZZs. Beauty sleep is not just a cliche. Good-quality sleep is important to repair and rejuvenate your skin.
Be choosy about anti-aging skin care. Choose products with retinol (a vitamin A derivative) to speed up cell renewal and improve skin texture and tone. Peptides and vitamin C can also bump up collagen production, protect your skin from environmental stress, and lead to a younger look.
“These ingredients are the foundation in the battle against aging skin” and are available in different formulations to cater to your skin type, Day says.
Weigh Cosmetic Procedures Carefully
Chemical peels, laser treatments, and other procedures can resurface skin and treat some wrinkles and other flaws. Talk to your dermatologist about cost, downtime, and if certain treatments can meet your goals.
Other procedures use injections or surgery and can give you more dramatic results.
“Choosing between nonsurgical ‘needle’ treatments (like injectables) and surgical ‘knife’ procedures (like facelifts) depends on several factors, including the individual's aesthetic goals, tolerance for downtime, budget, and the specific aging concerns they wish to address,” Fan says.
Needle procedures include botulinum toxin (Botox) and dermal fillers.
Fillers use substances to “fill,” plump, and add volume to cheeks, lips, etc. Botox is a neuromodulator that relaxes and “freezes” muscles to smooth out expression lines like crow’s feet around the eyes and forehead lines. “Both treatments can be used together to achieve a more youthful appearance, but they address different types of aging issues,” Fan says.
Surgery includes procedures like facelifts, eyelifts, brow lifts, and liposuction.
Needle treatment pros:
- Most injectable treatments need little to no recovery time, allowing people to return to daily activities almost right away.
- With no cuts, there's generally a lower risk of complications like infection or scarring.
- Results are temporary. This can be a pro for those who want to test a new look without committing to permanent changes.
- It’s generally less expensive than surgery, at least in the short term.
- Many injectables offer immediate or fast results.
Needle treatment cons:
- Most nonsurgical treatments need to be repeated every few months to 2 years to keep up the results.
- Nonsurgical treatments may not be enough for more advanced signs of aging.
- Over time, the cost of repeated treatments can add up.
Knife treatment pros:
- Surgical options can provide more dramatic and long-lasting results, especially for advanced aging signs.
- Generally, surgeries are a one-time event, with results lasting several years or even decades.
- Surgeries can often be combined (for example, a facelift with eyelid surgery) to deal with more than one concern at once.
Knife treatment cons:
- Surgery usually involves a longer time to heal.
- Operations can be painful.
Talk to your doctor before having any skin procedure.
“Certain procedures may not be recommended for people with specific health conditions. For example, people with conditions that cause excessive scarring may not be good candidates for facelifts. People with certain autoimmune diseases may not be suitable for fillers,” says Anna Chacon, MD, a dermatologist based in Miami.
The Bottom Line on Aging Skin:
“Each individual's skin aging journey is unique, and treatments should be tailored to address specific concerns and overall health considerations. A comprehensive approach, combining daily skin care regimen changes with targeted treatments or procedures when needed, can significantly enhance skin quality and reduce signs of aging,” Day says.
Show Sources
Photo Credit: Moment/Getty Images
SOURCES:
American Academy of Dermatology: “How to Care for Your Skin in Your 60s and 70s.”
Anna Chacon, MD, dermatologist, Miami.
Kristopher Day, MD, aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgeon, Bellevue, WA.
Larry Fan, MD, plastic surgeon and founder, 77 Plastic Surgery, San Francisco.
Mayo Clinic: “Chemical Peel,” “Laser Resurfacing.”
National Cancer Institute: “Skin Cancer Screening (PDQ) – Patient Version.”