Table of contents:
- Why does skin age?
- What are the signs of skin aging?
- 1. Wrinkles
- 2. Decreased collagen and elastin
- 3. Change in elasticity
- Can we prevent skin aging?
Skin that starts to show signs of aging is something that some people fear. In fact, many beauty care products offer various benefits to treat signs of aging on the face. Sagging and wrinkling skin occurs not only on the face, but also on other parts of the body. This aging occurs for several reasons.
Why does skin age?
Skin aging occurs due to several things, one of which comes from the skin layer. This layer consists of:
- The outer layer (epidermis) which consists of skin cells, pigments and proteins
- The middle layer (dermis) which consists of blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, and oil glands
- The deep layer under the dermis (subcutaneous layer) consisting of sweat glands, several hair follicles, blood vessels, and fat
4 Rows of Natural Ingredients that Are Effective in Removing Wrinkles on the Face, pigmentation changes, and loss of skin color are associated with aging of the skin. When aging occurs, the epidermal layer thins, although the number of some cells remains unchanged. The number of cells that contain pigments (melanocytes) also decreases. The function of these melanocytes is to protect the skin from damage, for example absorbing ultraviolet rays. The characteristics of aging skin, namely the skin becoming thinner, paler, and more clearly what is under the skin. In addition, pigmentation spots appear on the sun-exposed areas of the skin, also known as age spots or lentigos.
Changes in connective tissue can reduce strength and elasticity. We can also know it as elastosis; An abnormal number of elastin cells in the dermis layer, usually seen on sun-exposed skin.
When your skin starts to age, the sebaceous glands produce less oil. Men - usually over 80 years of age - experience a modest decrease in oil levels compared to women. Whereas in women, very little oil is produced in the early days when menopause occurs. Lack of oil in the skin can make it difficult for the skin to keep moisture, so it becomes dry and itchy easily. When viewed under a microscope, signs of aging can be seen, some damage occurs to the dermis layer.
What are the signs of skin aging?
There are several signs of aging that occur on the skin, here are the explanations:
1. Wrinkles
Wrinkles are a drop in the surface of the skin which can be either rough or smooth, depending on the depth. Rough wrinkles usually refer to the expression lines on the face, such as on the forehead, outer corners of the eyes, and vertical lines on either side of the mouth. Meanwhile, fine lines in the form of grooves or shallower lines, usually appearing in the area of movement of the face; as in the eyes, mouth, over the lips. Wrinkles occur because:
- Decrease in muscle mass and skin thickness
- The cross-link between collagen and elastin (a protein in the skin to keep skin firm) in the dermis
- Dehydration of the stratum corneum (outermost layer of skin)
- Skin discoloration
Apart from wrinkles, discoloration of the skin is also often associated with aging. Perhaps, we just think that skin is distinguished only by white, dark, or yellow. It turns out that skin color is a combination of red, blue, yellow and brown. This color combination is the result of oxidized red hemoglobin, yellow caratenoids, flavins and brown melanin pigments in our skin. Hyperpigmented spots are the result of sun exposure. Another characteristic is hypopigmentation (white spots).
Although we hear more often than not hyperpigmentation is associated with aging of the skin, the decrease in melanocytes also causes hypopigmentation; this is evidenced by the decrease in the number of 6-8 percent melanocytes per decade after the age of 30 years. This decrease also results in a reduced ability to protect the skin from sun exposure.
2. Decreased collagen and elastin
Changes in skin aging often occur in the dermis layer. Skin can lose about 20 to 80 percent of its thickness during the aging process. This is caused by changes in fibroblasts, the cells responsible for the production of collagen, elastin, and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) biosynthesis. The decrease in collagen and elastin also impacts the skin's ability to repair itself. Not only that, aging also makes protein composition change, this can have an impact on the skin structure.
Did you know that UV radiation also reduces collagen and elastin? Yes, the decrease is controlled by the activity of the Matrix Metalloproteinase (MMP) enzyme. Research has concluded that UV radiation can activate this enzyme within hours of exposure to UVB.
3. Change in elasticity
Hyaluronic acid is a natural ingredient found on the surface of our skin, which has a role to hydrate the skin. Research shows that at the age of 40, there is a decrease in hyaluronic acid levels. This decrease can cause dehydration, so changes in elasticity also occur with aging skin.
Can we prevent skin aging?
Aging age is unavoidable, even aging of the skin. The good news is, you can still take some precautions to prevent premature aging of the skin. The average skin change occurs due to sun exposure. Prevention can take a long time, but it's worth trying. Here are some suggestions:
- As much as possible avoid basking in the sun
- Use sunscreen with good quality when you are outside, even during the rainy season
- Use accessories that protect you from the sun, such as hats and sunglasses
- In addition, don't forget to keep consuming good nutrition and adequate fluids. Dehydration can put you at risk for skin sores.
- Use a moisturizer for the skin
