Aging can affect your skin in various ways. You may notice wrinkles, dry skin, or other changes, such as age spots. There are ways you can protect your skin and decrease your risk of certain skin issues.
Aging is a natural process that can affect every aspect of your body, including the skin.
There are two types of aging processes for the skin — intrinsic and extrinsic:
- Intrinsic (chronological): This affects the entire body of skin, including the areas that are usually protected from the sun.
- Extrinsic: This is induced by chronic exposure to UV radiation, smoking, and other pollutants. It overlaps with the intrinsic aging process.
Intrinsic aging affects everyone. Extrinsic aging typically affects those who have chronic exposure to sunlight. This is also known as photoaging.
There are various ways you can protect your skin to help reduce the signs of photoaging and decrease your risk of other skin issues.
Skin changes as we age. For example, you may notice that it becomes thinner, and it may not look as smooth and plump as it once did.
Aging causes the outer layer of your skin to become thinner, paler, and less elastic or stretchy. Blood vessels also become more fragile as we age, which may lead to older adults bruising more easily. Older adults may also produce less oil and sweat from their glands.
Influences that affect skin aging
There are many factors that can influence how aging affects your skin,
- Loss of elastin and collagen: This can cause skin to develop wrinkles, look older, and become more fragile.
- Natrually occuring hormonal changes (menopause): These can cause skin to become drier and thinner.
- UV exposure: Exposure to UV light (sunlight) over time can lead to premature skin aging, changes in skin texture, wrinkles, and in some cases, skin cancer.
Dry itchy skin
Older adults
There are various reasons you may experience dry skin in addition to the typical changes that come with age. These can include:
- not drinking enough water
- living in a dry environment
- smoking
- spending too much time in the sun
Dos and don’ts for dry skin
Do:
- use moisturizers like creams, lotions, and ointments every day
- use warm water and mild soap when showering or bathing
- Use a humidifier, which is an appliance that adds moisture to the air
- drink plenty of water and other fluids to stay hydrated
Don’t:
- use hot water when bathing or showering
- use too much soap, antiperspirant, or perfume
- smoke or spend too much time in direct sunlight
Bruises
Older adults may find that they bruise more easily than they did when they were younger. It may also take longer for bruises to heal.
Certain medications may also cause bruising. If you notice bruises on your body and don’t know how you got them, you may want to speak with a healthcare professional.
A note on elder abuse
While it is common for older adults to get accidental bruises, they can also be a sign of elder abuse.
If you believe someone may be experiencing elder abuse, you can contact various state, local, and national social service agencies, such as:
- Local law enforcement: Call 911 to report suspected abuse to your local law enforcement.
- Adult protective services: The National Adult Protective Services lists contact information for the programs in each state.
- National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA): The NCEA provides guidance on reporting abuse, where to find help, and state laws. You can find information on the NCEA website.
- Elder Protection Center: You can use your state hotline or call 800-677-1116.
Age spots and skin tags
Age spots were once referred to as “liver spots.” They are brown, flat spots on the skin that are often the result of many years of sun exposure. Age spots are larger than freckles and commonly appear on the following:
- hands
- arms
- feet
- back
- face
Skin tags are small skin growths that are usually flesh-colored and have a raised surface. These growths generally become more common with age. They most often appear in the following areas:
- neck
- eyelids
- body folds, including:
- armpits
- chest
- groin
Both age spots and skin tags are generally harmless. However, skin tags can become irritated due to friction. If you are bothered by these spots or tags, speak with your healthcare professional.
Preventing age spots
You may be able to prevent more age spots by wearing a hat to protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays from the sun.
Protecting your skin from the sun can help prevent many skin issues, including skin cancer.
Photoaging is sun damage to your skin. It is often premature — and sometimes dangerous — aging of the skin due to sun exposure.
Signs of photoaging include:
- wrinkles
- loss of elasticity in the skin
- added pigmentation to the skin
- age spots
- redness or discoloration, also known as telangiectasias
- rough, uneven skin texture
- broken capillaries (spider veins), typically around the nose or chest
Who is more susceptible to photoaging?
Dermatologists use the Fitzpatrick scale to determine skin phototype and assess the risk of photodamage.
- Type I:
- pale skin
- light-colored eyes
- blond or red hair
- always burns and does not tan
- Type II:
- fair skin
- light-colored eyes
- burns easily and may not tan
- Type III:
- medium light skin
- may initially burn and then tan
- Type IV:
- light brown skin
- tans easily with minimal burning
- Type V:
- medium brown skin
- rarely burns
- Type VI:
- dark brown or black skin
- never burns
Sun protection is important for all skin types. Even people with skin that is not likely to burn can develop skin cancer.
Some skin changes are the result of typical aging—wrinkles, dryness, and bruising. However, other changes may be a sign of more serious skin conditions.
Skin cancer
Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States. The Skin Cancer Foundation reports that approximately 1 in 5 people in the United States will develop skin cancer by age 70 years.
Anyone with any skin type can develop skin cancer. However, older adults and people with fair skin who freckle easily are at a greater risk.
It’s important to check your skin each month for changes that could be a sign of skin cancer, including:
- new growths
- sores that don’t heal
- bleeding mole
If you notice anything unusual, speak with a healthcare professional.
ABCDE of skin cancer
Early skin cancer (melanoma) may have specific signs.
- A — Asymmetry means one half of the growth looks different than the other.
- B — Borders are irregular.
- C — Color changes, including showing more than one color.
- D — Diameter is greater than that of a pencil eraser.
- E — Evolving means the growth changes in any of the following ways:
- size
- shape
- symptoms, such as itching or tenderness
- surface, especially bleeding
- shades of colors
Common skin conditions in older adults
Other common skin conditions that can often occur more in older adults include:
If you believe you might have a skin condition, speak with a healthcare professional.
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There are ways you
- Limit your time in the sun.
- Use sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher with “broad spectrum” on the label.
- Wear protective clothing, like a wide brim hat, and sunglasses.
- Avoid tanning and using tanning beds or sunlamps.
Aging can affect the skin in different ways. It can lead to wrinkles, a loss of elasticity, and dryness or itchiness. Bruising can also be more common as you age.
Some skin changes are the result of natural aging. However, there are other — sometimes more serious — changes that can occur due to exposure to the sun (photoaging).
Checking your skin for any changes each month is important. If you notice changes in your skin or new growths, speak with a healthcare professional.