BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuAging changes in skinWrinkles - aging changes; Thinning of skinAging changes in the skin are a group of common conditions and developments that occur as people grow older. Information Skin changes are among the most visible signs of aging. Evidence of increasing age includes wrinkles and sagging skin. Whitening or graying of the hair is another obvious sign of aging.WrinklesWrinkles are creases in the skin. The medical term for wrinkles is rhytids.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Your skin does many things. It: Contains nerve receptors that allow you to feel touch, pain, and pressure Helps control fluid and electrolyte balance ElectrolyteElectrolytes are minerals in your blood and other body fluids that carry an electric charge. Electrolytes affect how your body functions in many ways...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Helps control your body temperature Protects you from the environment Although skin has many layers, it can generally be divided into three main parts:The outer part (epidermis) contains skin cells, pigment, and proteins. The middle part (dermis) contains skin cells, blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, and oil glands. The dermis provides nutrients to the epidermis. The inner layer under the dermis (the subcutaneous layer) contains sweat glands, some hair follicles, blood vessels, and fat. SubcutaneousThe term "cutaneous" refers to the skin. Subcutaneous means beneath, or under, all the layers of the skin. For example, a subcutaneous cyst is unde...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Each layer also contains connective tissue with collagen fibers to give support and elastin fibers to provide flexibility and strength.No audio descriptionWith audio descriptionRelated video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersRelated video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersSkin changes are related to environmental factors, genetic makeup, nutrition, and other factors. The greatest single factor, though, is sun exposure. You can see this by comparing areas of your body that have regular sun exposure with areas that are protected from sunlight.Natural pigments seem to provide some protection against sun-induced skin damage. Blue-eyed, fair-skinned people show more aging skin changes than people with darker, more heavily pigmented skin.AGING CHANGESWith aging, the outer skin layer (epidermis) thins, even though the number of cell layers remains unchanged.The number of pigment-containing cells (melanocytes) decreases. The remaining melanocytes increase in size. Aging skin looks thinner, paler, and clear (translucent). Pigmented spots including age spots or "liver spots" may appear in sun-exposed areas. The medical term for these areas is lentigos.Age spotsLiver spots are flat, brown or black spots that can appear on areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun. They have nothing to do with the liver ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Changes in the connective tissue reduce the skin's strength and elasticity. This is known as elastosis. It is more noticeable in sun-exposed areas (solar elastosis). Elastosis produces the leathery, weather-beaten appearance common to farmers, sailors, and others who spend a large amount of time outdoors.The blood vessels of the dermis become more fragile. This leads to bruising, bleeding under the skin (often called senile purpura), and cherry angiomas.Cherry angiomasA cherry angioma is a noncancerous (benign) skin growth made up of blood vessels.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sebaceous glands produce less oil as you age. Men experience a minimal decrease, most often after the age of 80. Women gradually produce less oil beginning after menopause. This can make it harder to keep the skin moist, resulting in dryness and itchiness.The subcutaneous fat layer thins so it has less insulation and padding. This increases your risk of skin injury and reduces your ability to maintain body temperature. Because you have less natural insulation, you can get hypothermia in cold weather.HypothermiaHypothermia is dangerously low body temperature, below 95°F (35°C).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Some medicines are absorbed by the fat layer. Shrinkage of this layer may change the way that these medicines work.The sweat glands produce less sweat. This makes it harder to keep cool. Your risk for overheating or developing heat stroke increases.Heat strokeHeat emergencies or illnesses are caused by exposure to extreme heat or sun. Heat illnesses can be prevented by being careful in hot, humid weather....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Growths such as skin tags, warts, brown rough patches (seborrheic keratoses), and other blemishes are more common in older people. Also common are pinkish rough patches (actinic keratosis) which have a small chance of becoming a skin cancer. Skin cancers are also common and usually located in sun-exposed areas.Skin tagsA cutaneous skin tag is a common skin growth. Most of the time, it is harmless.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article WartsWarts are small, usually painless growths on the skin. Most of the time, they are harmless. They are caused by a virus called human papillomavirus ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article EFFECT OF CHANGESAs you age, you are at increased risk for skin injury. Your skin is thinner, more fragile, and you lose some of the protective fat layer. You also may be less able to sense touch, pressure, vibration, heat, and cold. Rubbing or pulling on the skin can cause skin tears. Fragile blood vessels can break easily. Bruises, flat collections of blood (purpura), and raised collections of blood (hematomas) may form after even a minor injury.HematomasBleeding into the skin can occur from broken blood vessels that form tiny red dots (called petechiae). Blood also can collect under the tissue in la...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pressure ulcers can be caused by skin changes, loss of the fat layer, reduced activity, poor nutrition, and illnesses. Sores are most easily seen on the outside surface of the forearms, but they can occur anywhere on the body. Aging skin repairs itself more slowly than younger skin. Wound healing may be up to 4 times slower. This contributes to pressure ulcers and infections. Diabetes, blood vessel changes, lowered immunity, and other factors also affect healing.DiabetesDiabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article COMMON PROBLEMSSkin disorders are so common among older people that it is often hard to tell normal changes from those related to a disorder. More than 90% of all older people have some type of skin disorder.Skin disorders can be caused by many conditions, including:Blood vessel diseases, such as atherosclerosis AtherosclerosisAtherosclerosis, sometimes called "hardening of the arteries," occurs when fat, cholesterol, and other substances build up in the walls of arteries. ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Diabetes Heart disease Heart diseaseCoronary heart disease is a narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. Coronary heart disease (CHD) is also called co...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Liver disease Liver diseaseThe term "liver disease" applies to many conditions that stop the liver from working or prevent it from functioning well. Abdominal pain or swelling...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nutritional deficiencies Obesity Reactions to medicines Stress Other causes of skin changes:Allergies to plants and other substances Climate Clothing Exposures to industrial and household chemicals Indoor heating Sunlight can cause:Loss of elasticity (elastosis) Noncancerous skin growths (keratoacanthomas) Pigment changes such as liver spots Thickening of the skin Sun exposure has also been directly linked to skin cancers, including basal cell cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.PREVENTIONBecause most skin changes are related to sun exposure, prevention is a lifelong process.Prevent sunburn if at all possible. Use a good quality sunscreen when outdoors, even in the winter. Wear protective clothing and a hat when needed. Good nutrition and adequate fluids are also helpful. Dehydration increases the risk of skin injury. Sometimes minor nutritional deficiencies can cause rashes, skin lesions, and other skin changes, even if you have no other symptoms.DehydrationDehydration occurs when your body does not have as much water and fluids as it needs. Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe, based on how much...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Skin lesionsRashes involve changes in the color, feeling or texture of your skin.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Keep skin moist with lotions and other moisturizers. . Do not use soaps that are strongly detergent (drying) or heavily perfumed. Bath oils are not recommended because they can cause you to slip and fall. Moist skin is more comfortable and will heal more quickly.RELATED TOPICSAging changes in body shape Aging changes in body shapeYour body shape changes naturally as you age. You cannot avoid some of these changes, but your lifestyle choices may slow or speed the process. The ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Aging changes in hair and nails Aging changes in hair and nailsYour hair and nails help protect your body. They also keep the temperature of your body steady. As you age, your hair and nails begin to change. H...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Aging changes in hormone production Aging changes in hormone productionThe endocrine system is made up of organs and tissues that produce hormones. Hormones are natural chemicals produced in one location, released into ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Aging changes in organs, tissues, and cells Aging changes in organs, tissues, and c...All vital organs begin to lose some function as you age. Aging changes occur in all of the body's cells, tissues, and organs, and these changes affe...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Aging changes in the bones, muscles, and joints Aging changes in the bones, muscles, an...Changes in posture and gait (walking pattern) are common with aging. The skeleton provides support and structure to the body. Joints are the areas w...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Aging changes in the breast Aging changes in the breastWith age, a woman's breasts lose fat, tissue, and mammary glands. Many of these changes are due to the decrease in the body's production of estrogen...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Aging changes in the face Aging changes in the faceThe appearance of the face and neck typically changes with age. Loss of muscle tone and thinning skin gives the face a flabby or drooping appearance...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Aging changes in the sensesAging changes in the sensesAs you age, the way your senses (hearing, vision, taste, smell, touch) give you information about the world changes. Your senses become less sharp, ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesStandring S. Skin and its appendages. In: Standring S, ed. Gray's Anatomy. 42nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 7.Tobin DJ, Veysey EC, Finlay AY. Aging and the skin. In: Fillit HM, Rockwood K, Young J, eds. Brocklehurst's Textbook of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 25.Walston JD. Common clinical sequelae of aging. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 22.AllVideoImagesTogChanges in face with age - illustration With aging, the outer skin layer (epidermis) thins even though the number of cell layers remains unchanged. The number of pigment-containing cells (melanocytes) decreases, but the remaining melanocytes increase in size. Aging skin thus appears thinner, more translucent. Age spots or liver spots may appear in sun-exposed areas. Changes in the connective tissue reduce the skin's strength and elasticity. This is known as elastosis and is especially pronounced in sun-exposed areas.Changes in face with ageillustrationChanges in face with age - illustration With aging, the outer skin layer (epidermis) thins even though the number of cell layers remains unchanged. The number of pigment-containing cells (melanocytes) decreases, but the remaining melanocytes increase in size. Aging skin thus appears thinner, more translucent. Age spots or liver spots may appear in sun-exposed areas. Changes in the connective tissue reduce the skin's strength and elasticity. This is known as elastosis and is especially pronounced in sun-exposed areas.Changes in face with ageillustrationA Closer Look Skin wrinkles and blemishes - InDepth(In-Depth)Melanoma and other skin cancers - InDepth(In-Depth)Related Information Skin wrinkles and blemishes - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 7/21/2022 Reviewed By: Frank D. Brodkey, MD, FCCM, Associate Professor, Section of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Aging changes in skinWrinkles - aging changes; Thinning of skinAging changes in the skin are a group of common conditions and developments that occur as people grow older. Information Skin changes are among the most visible signs of aging. Evidence of increasing age includes wrinkles and sagging skin. Whitening or graying of the hair is another obvious sign of aging.WrinklesWrinkles are creases in the skin. The medical term for wrinkles is rhytids.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Your skin does many things. It: Contains nerve receptors that allow you to feel touch, pain, and pressure Helps control fluid and electrolyte balance ElectrolyteElectrolytes are minerals in your blood and other body fluids that carry an electric charge. Electrolytes affect how your body functions in many ways...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Helps control your body temperature Protects you from the environment Although skin has many layers, it can generally be divided into three main parts:The outer part (epidermis) contains skin cells, pigment, and proteins. The middle part (dermis) contains skin cells, blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, and oil glands. The dermis provides nutrients to the epidermis. The inner layer under the dermis (the subcutaneous layer) contains sweat glands, some hair follicles, blood vessels, and fat. SubcutaneousThe term "cutaneous" refers to the skin. Subcutaneous means beneath, or under, all the layers of the skin. For example, a subcutaneous cyst is unde...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Each layer also contains connective tissue with collagen fibers to give support and elastin fibers to provide flexibility and strength.No audio descriptionWith audio descriptionRelated video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersRelated video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersSkin changes are related to environmental factors, genetic makeup, nutrition, and other factors. The greatest single factor, though, is sun exposure. You can see this by comparing areas of your body that have regular sun exposure with areas that are protected from sunlight.Natural pigments seem to provide some protection against sun-induced skin damage. Blue-eyed, fair-skinned people show more aging skin changes than people with darker, more heavily pigmented skin.AGING CHANGESWith aging, the outer skin layer (epidermis) thins, even though the number of cell layers remains unchanged.The number of pigment-containing cells (melanocytes) decreases. The remaining melanocytes increase in size. Aging skin looks thinner, paler, and clear (translucent). Pigmented spots including age spots or "liver spots" may appear in sun-exposed areas. The medical term for these areas is lentigos.Age spotsLiver spots are flat, brown or black spots that can appear on areas of the skin that are exposed to the sun. They have nothing to do with the liver ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Changes in the connective tissue reduce the skin's strength and elasticity. This is known as elastosis. It is more noticeable in sun-exposed areas (solar elastosis). Elastosis produces the leathery, weather-beaten appearance common to farmers, sailors, and others who spend a large amount of time outdoors.The blood vessels of the dermis become more fragile. This leads to bruising, bleeding under the skin (often called senile purpura), and cherry angiomas.Cherry angiomasA cherry angioma is a noncancerous (benign) skin growth made up of blood vessels.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Sebaceous glands produce less oil as you age. Men experience a minimal decrease, most often after the age of 80. Women gradually produce less oil beginning after menopause. This can make it harder to keep the skin moist, resulting in dryness and itchiness.The subcutaneous fat layer thins so it has less insulation and padding. This increases your risk of skin injury and reduces your ability to maintain body temperature. Because you have less natural insulation, you can get hypothermia in cold weather.HypothermiaHypothermia is dangerously low body temperature, below 95°F (35°C).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Some medicines are absorbed by the fat layer. Shrinkage of this layer may change the way that these medicines work.The sweat glands produce less sweat. This makes it harder to keep cool. Your risk for overheating or developing heat stroke increases.Heat strokeHeat emergencies or illnesses are caused by exposure to extreme heat or sun. Heat illnesses can be prevented by being careful in hot, humid weather....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Growths such as skin tags, warts, brown rough patches (seborrheic keratoses), and other blemishes are more common in older people. Also common are pinkish rough patches (actinic keratosis) which have a small chance of becoming a skin cancer. Skin cancers are also common and usually located in sun-exposed areas.Skin tagsA cutaneous skin tag is a common skin growth. Most of the time, it is harmless.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article WartsWarts are small, usually painless growths on the skin. Most of the time, they are harmless. They are caused by a virus called human papillomavirus ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article EFFECT OF CHANGESAs you age, you are at increased risk for skin injury. Your skin is thinner, more fragile, and you lose some of the protective fat layer. You also may be less able to sense touch, pressure, vibration, heat, and cold. Rubbing or pulling on the skin can cause skin tears. Fragile blood vessels can break easily. Bruises, flat collections of blood (purpura), and raised collections of blood (hematomas) may form after even a minor injury.HematomasBleeding into the skin can occur from broken blood vessels that form tiny red dots (called petechiae). Blood also can collect under the tissue in la...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Pressure ulcers can be caused by skin changes, loss of the fat layer, reduced activity, poor nutrition, and illnesses. Sores are most easily seen on the outside surface of the forearms, but they can occur anywhere on the body. Aging skin repairs itself more slowly than younger skin. Wound healing may be up to 4 times slower. This contributes to pressure ulcers and infections. Diabetes, blood vessel changes, lowered immunity, and other factors also affect healing.DiabetesDiabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article COMMON PROBLEMSSkin disorders are so common among older people that it is often hard to tell normal changes from those related to a disorder. More than 90% of all older people have some type of skin disorder.Skin disorders can be caused by many conditions, including:Blood vessel diseases, such as atherosclerosis AtherosclerosisAtherosclerosis, sometimes called "hardening of the arteries," occurs when fat, cholesterol, and other substances build up in the walls of arteries. ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Diabetes Heart disease Heart diseaseCoronary heart disease is a narrowing of the blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart. Coronary heart disease (CHD) is also called co...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Liver disease Liver diseaseThe term "liver disease" applies to many conditions that stop the liver from working or prevent it from functioning well. Abdominal pain or swelling...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Nutritional deficiencies Obesity Reactions to medicines Stress Other causes of skin changes:Allergies to plants and other substances Climate Clothing Exposures to industrial and household chemicals Indoor heating Sunlight can cause:Loss of elasticity (elastosis) Noncancerous skin growths (keratoacanthomas) Pigment changes such as liver spots Thickening of the skin Sun exposure has also been directly linked to skin cancers, including basal cell cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, and melanoma.PREVENTIONBecause most skin changes are related to sun exposure, prevention is a lifelong process.Prevent sunburn if at all possible. Use a good quality sunscreen when outdoors, even in the winter. Wear protective clothing and a hat when needed. Good nutrition and adequate fluids are also helpful. Dehydration increases the risk of skin injury. Sometimes minor nutritional deficiencies can cause rashes, skin lesions, and other skin changes, even if you have no other symptoms.DehydrationDehydration occurs when your body does not have as much water and fluids as it needs. Dehydration can be mild, moderate, or severe, based on how much...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Skin lesionsRashes involve changes in the color, feeling or texture of your skin.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Keep skin moist with lotions and other moisturizers. . Do not use soaps that are strongly detergent (drying) or heavily perfumed. Bath oils are not recommended because they can cause you to slip and fall. Moist skin is more comfortable and will heal more quickly.RELATED TOPICSAging changes in body shape Aging changes in body shapeYour body shape changes naturally as you age. You cannot avoid some of these changes, but your lifestyle choices may slow or speed the process. The ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Aging changes in hair and nails Aging changes in hair and nailsYour hair and nails help protect your body. They also keep the temperature of your body steady. As you age, your hair and nails begin to change. H...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Aging changes in hormone production Aging changes in hormone productionThe endocrine system is made up of organs and tissues that produce hormones. Hormones are natural chemicals produced in one location, released into ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Aging changes in organs, tissues, and cells Aging changes in organs, tissues, and c...All vital organs begin to lose some function as you age. Aging changes occur in all of the body's cells, tissues, and organs, and these changes affe...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Aging changes in the bones, muscles, and joints Aging changes in the bones, muscles, an...Changes in posture and gait (walking pattern) are common with aging. The skeleton provides support and structure to the body. Joints are the areas w...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Aging changes in the breast Aging changes in the breastWith age, a woman's breasts lose fat, tissue, and mammary glands. Many of these changes are due to the decrease in the body's production of estrogen...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Aging changes in the face Aging changes in the faceThe appearance of the face and neck typically changes with age. Loss of muscle tone and thinning skin gives the face a flabby or drooping appearance...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Aging changes in the sensesAging changes in the sensesAs you age, the way your senses (hearing, vision, taste, smell, touch) give you information about the world changes. Your senses become less sharp, ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesStandring S. Skin and its appendages. In: Standring S, ed. Gray's Anatomy. 42nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 7.Tobin DJ, Veysey EC, Finlay AY. Aging and the skin. In: Fillit HM, Rockwood K, Young J, eds. Brocklehurst's Textbook of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 25.Walston JD. Common clinical sequelae of aging. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 22.