Why does Skin Age? Is there a Cure for Aging?
Written by Evlin Symon
Our bodies and minds change with age. These are hard facts of the human condition. When we are born our bodies begin to grow at an accelerated rate, but there is a point where our bodies peak and after that they begin to deteriorate. This process can be applied to our brain, organs, and bones. Our skin is an organ; therefore, it is not immune to this cycle. To understand the ways that exist to slow down and limit the process of aging, we must first understand a bit more about our skin and its limitations.
There are three layers of our skin:
Epidermis: the outermost and protective layer of the skin. This layer of skin is composed of five layers that protect the skin from environmental damage, control skin hydration, and serves as the location of cells that produce the melanin ( the pigment that colors the skin).
Dermis: the layer of skin that is located underneath the epidermis. This layer of skin is the host of hair follicles, sweat producing glands, sebaceous glands (glands that produce oil), lymph vessels, and blood vessels.
Subcutaneous Tissue: this is the third layer of our skin. It is used as fat storage and contains connective tissue. This layer of skin also helps to insulate the body and stores energy.
How does skin renew itself?
Our bodies are complex and intelligent which is why they are constantly at work to help us stay protected. Our skin is exposed it is constantly renewing itself by shedding off old layers and making way for new layers of skin that have yet to be damaged. New cells are constantly being produced, and the old cells are shed. The cells are produced in the basal layer that is located in the epidermis. These basal cells divide, and from there the new cells push their way to the top. This process of skin cell renewal continues throughout the entirety of our lives.
Why does the appearance and feel of skin change as we age?
There are two ways that we can classify the change of the look and feel of skin over time. There is intrinsic aging that is an aging that the skin incurs because internal causes, and then there is extrinsic aging that occurs because of environmental causes. The former cannot be controlled, and the latter can be. You may be able to avoid skin damage and other skin problem by using ACE - Ferulic Skin Damage Restoration Serum.
This form of aging cannot be avoided. It is a part of our life cycle as humans. One of the biggest superficial signs of aging is skin sagging and wrinkles. This can be attributed to the loss of collagen and elastin in the skin. Collagen and elastin are protein fibers that give skin the ability to hold its form and snap back into place. As we mature fine lines, and wrinkles will appear on our skin altering the texture and resiliency of our skin.
After the age of twenty the production of collagen slows down and begins its deterioration. At this age, one less percent of collagen is produced in the body, and it decreases by one percent every year. The exfoliation process of your skin will also slow down, this will cause skin cells to stick together more easily making the process of shedding dead skin more difficult. At thirty your fat cells will begin to shrink, and moisture will not be able to transfer from the dermis to the epidermis as quickly, giving the skin the appearance of being dull and sallow. Once we reach our forties and fifties, our skin will barely produce collagen and elastin.
Though many fear the process of aging and the changes that it holds for the human body there are some things that mortals cannot escape. Intrinsic aging is one of the things that we must face. Our bodies and skin will continue to change as our life cycle persists.
Opposed to intrinsic aging, you have a significant amount of control over extrinsic aging. These are causes of aging that take place because of external factors. There are many things within one’s lifestyle and environment that can lead to accelerated aging.
A few lifestyle choices that can accelerate the process of aging are smoking and the lack of a proper skincare routine. Over time, the toxins within cigarettes deteriorate the collagen and elastin in your skin that lead to wrinkles, bags, and sagging skin. A proper skincare routine keeps your skin moisturized and buoyant and reduced the damage of free radicals that accumulate on the skin. Free radicals are volatile molecules that damage skin cells.
Aside from free radicals that are most prevalent in big cities that contain high amounts of air pollution, the main environmental cause of aging is sun exposure. Over time the sun’s harmful rays cause wrinkles, dark spots, and can cause the skin to take on a leathery texture. This is also known as photo-aging of the skin. There are many ways to protect your skin from these rays. Wear sunscreen, tints the windows on your car, and wear protective covering if you are exposed to the sun for an extended amount of time.
Bio: Evlin Symon is a freelance health writer. She has published numerous articles on the topic of health, fitness and beauty. She enjoys being in outdoors and exploring new opportunities. When she is not writing she can usually be found reading a good book. Connect with her on Facebook and Google+.