The effects of aging on skin

Our skin is at the mercy of many forces as we age: sun, harsh weather, and bad habits. But we can take steps to help our skin stay supple and fresh-looking.

How your skin ages will depend on a variety of factors: your lifestyle, diet, heredity, and other personal habits. For instance, smoking can produce free radicals, once-healthy oxygen molecules that are now overactive and unstable. Free radicals damage cells, leading to, among other things, premature wrinkles.

What Kind of Skin Changes Come With Age?

As we grow older, changes like these naturally occur:
Skin becomes rougher.
Skin develops lesions such as benign tumors.
Skin becomes slack. The loss of the elastic tissue (elastin) in the skin with age causes the skin to hang loosely.
Skin becomes more transparent. This is caused by thinning of the epidermis (surface layer of the skin).
Skin becomes more fragile. This is caused by a flattening of the area where the epidermis and dermis (layer of skin under the epidermis) come together.
Skin becomes more easily bruised. This is due to thinner blood vessel walls.

How Does the Sun Affect Your Skin?

Exposure to sunlight is the single biggest culprit in aging skin.

Nothing can completely undo sun damage, although the skin can sometimes repair itself. Lasers can also help reverse some of the damage. It's never too late to begin protecting yourself from sun exposure and skin cancer. You can delay changes associated with aging by staying out of the sun and making a habit of using sunscreen with zinc oxide as a physical blocker and an SPF of 30 or more. Also, wear clothing to cover skin exposed to the sun, such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, broad-brimmed hats, and sunglasses.
 

Sources: Web MD