Natural Aging Process

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Aging And Skin Care

Research shows that there are, in fact, two distinct types of aging. Aging caused by the genes we inherit is called Intrinsic (Internal or Natural) aging. The other type of aging is known as extrinsic aging and is caused by (External) Environmental factors.

Aging Begins In Our 20's!

Intrinsic aging is also known as the natural aging process. While these changes usually start in our mid-20s, the signs are typically not visible for decades. Our genes determine the speed of our normal aging process. For example, some people start going gray in their 20's and others only see signs of gray in their 40's.

The skin replaces old cells more slowly and there is a slower turnover of the surface skin. The skin heals more slowly and minor blemishes develop. A thinning of the skin begins, due in part, to hormonal changes. This thinning makes the skin more fragile and vulnerable to damage by abrasion and more sensitive to irritating environmental factors and allergens. The coils of collagen and elastin suffer cuts and cross linking damage, and as a result, the skin loses much of its strength and elasticity. The moisture holding proteoglycans and GAGs (GAGs or mucopolysaccharides) decrease, making the skin become dryer and looser. The skin loses fat, looking less plump and smooth. The number of blood vessels in the skin decreases, and the skin loses its youthful color and glow. During aging the oil-producing (sebaceous) glands become less active, and your skin becomes drier.

The skin becomes more sensitive to harsh soaps and disinfectants which more easily damage skin.

We have a natural oil covering our skin named sebum, which is produced by glands in the skin. When the oil is removed by frequent use of drying agents, such as soap, the skin becomes dry which can lead to cracking and flaking. Once cracking occurs the skin is susceptible to inflammation and itching.

Everyday factors that may cause drying of the skin include harsh soaps, long hot baths or showers. In our modern culture, most people overdo skin cleansing.

The signs of intrinsic aging are

• Our skins gets dry, thin and transparent and fine wrinkles appear.
• We loose the firmness in our cheeks, eye sockets, hands and necks as our skin produces less underlying fat in the subcutaneous layer.
• Bones shrink away from the skin due to bone loss, which causes sagging skin.
• Inability to sweat sufficiently to cool the skin.
• Hair starts graying and eventually turns white. It thins and we experience hair loss. We also experience unwanted hair.
• Nail plates thin, the half moons disappear, and ridges develop.
• The connective tissue (collagen and elastin) changes and the skin looses its firmness.
• The sweat and oil-secreting glands in the skin decrease making it harder for the skin to retain moisture.
• Blood vessels become thinner and more likely to rupture and leak.
• Free radicals can damage cells and accelerate cancer and age-related diseases.

Constituents Of Connective Tissue With Aging

Phase 1  (0 - 15 years) -In a baby, the fibroblast is programmed to produce only structural glyco-proteins and mucopolysaccharids. These 2 building elements give the skin its softness and suppleness, allowing the rapid growth of the baby.

Phase 2  (15 - 25 years) - Elastin and collagen, which are the tightening agents, are only produced later on, in order to leave the skin supple to accommodate the baby's growth (should they be produced earlier, the skin would "break" which is what happens when stretch marks appear).  

A sharp increase in elastin production occurs from 15 to 25 years of age when the body reaches it full maturity.

Phase 3  (30 - 45 years) - After 30 years of age, a decreased production of elastin occurs and this decrease can be accelerated by sun exposure and particularly UVA, which destroys elastic fibers. One should avoid sun exposure from that age and also before, to prevent any further damage.

Sun exposure should really be limited your entire life to prevent premature ageing.

Phase 4  (45 - 65 years) - From the age of 45, the constitutive elements of the connective tissue are produced in very low quantities.