Aging is an inevitable process that, along with all the other organs, affects the largest body organ, i.e., the skin. Skin changes also depend upon many factors, such as UV rays from the sun, loss of fatty tissues, and stress.
Skin changes that occur due to aging include
- Rough or dry skin
- Loosening facial skin
- Thinning of skin
- Reduced skin elasticity
- Bruises on the skin
This article gives five essential and easy tips to manage skin problems in the elderly.
Four common skin issues faced by elderly
- Wrinkles
Wrinkles are the most common sign of aging. Besides stress, wrinkles appear on the skin due to chronic sun exposure without sun protection. Smokers also have an increased tendency to develop wrinkles in older age.
- Fine lines
Fine lines are also termed as laugh lines or worry lines. They become visible when skin loses its elasticity with time. They can be seen on the forehead, above the nose, upper cheeks, and around the mouth and eyes.
- Dry and itchy skin
Dry and itchy skin is common in the elderly as, with age, skin loses its oil glands which keep skin soft. Moreover, dry skin can signify diabetes, kidney disease, and liver disease.
- Age spots
Age spots are small brown dots that mainly occur on the face, hands, and forearms. They usually occur due to excessive exposure to the sun in the early adult years.
Tips to reduce skin aging
These essential five tips will help you take care of the skin of your elderly family member. Also, following these tips can help in reducing the premature aging process.
- Protect your skin
Protecting skin by applying any sunblock and allowing less exposure of your skin to the sun will help to manage further skin aging in the elderly, and it also prevents premature skin aging.
- Stop smoking
Smoking speeds up free radical stress in your body and contributes to high oxidative stress. Elevated oxidative stress in your body contributes to early skin aging and fastens the skin aging phenomenon.
- Avoid repetitive facial expressions.
Repetitive facial expressions for years will contract underlying muscles. Repeated contraction of the same muscles for years will form a permanent fine line on the face.
- Drink less alcohol
Alcohol dehydrates you when you drink it. Hydration is vital for keeping elasticity in your skin and keeping it in good condition. Unfortunately, reviews and studies show that even heavy alcohol usage can make you look old.
- Moisturize your skin
Moisturizing your skin traps moisture in the skin, which gives your skin a more youthful look.
Takeaway
Taking care of your skin by adding sunblock and moisturizer to your daily skin routine, staying hydrated, and minimizing smoking and alcohol can slow skin aging and prevent issues like wrinkles, fine lines, dullness, thinning, bruising, or loosening of the skin. On the other hand, exposure to sunlight, stress, anxiety, smoking, dehydration, and excessive intake of alcohol can cause premature skin aging and increase the chances of skin problems.