How to take care of the skin in old age

“I got up this morning. I didn’t recognize the man in the mirror. So I laughed and said to myself: ‘stupid, it’s just you’”. So sings, again and again, Kurt Vile, present and future of American independent folk, in “Pretty Mackerel” . Although he still has a few decades to go, at 43, old age is no longer that distant place seen from afar in youth. Indeed, once the barrier of 30 has passed, the traces of time begin to appear, especially on the skin.

The passing of years can be difficult, and the skin is perhaps one of the biggest reflections of that. Wrinkles, blemishes, dark circles that expand and elasticity that begins to yield, can be analyzed for minutes, days, weeks or years in front of the mirror. What happened to that youthful face, full of energy, toned body, smooth skin?

But being aware of it doesn’t necessarily mean it doesn’t matter and one surrenders to whatever cellular fate brings. Not, at least, if you want to have a good quality of life in old age. The skin, after all, is part of the body and not just a shell of consciousness. In fact, the skin is the largest organ in our system and its job is to protect the rest of the body from external factors such as bacteria, chemicals and temperature. And for that reason, shouldn’t we take care of it to ensure greater protection during the years when we are supposed to be most vulnerable?

Nothing good, really. “In older people, the skin thins and loses its natural lubricating ability, as the sebaceous glands begin to atrophy. This makes it much drier and more fragile, both superficially and deeply,” Héctor replies. Fuenzalida, dermatologist at IntegraMédica.

Katherine Barría, dermatologist at Clínica Alemana, explains that as we age, the skin “loses thickness in all layers – the epidermis and the dermis -, and fat also begins to shed in certain areas, such as the arms, calves and on the backs of the hands”.

Likewise, the skin loses its strength, its tension, its turgidity, its elasticity and also its ability to retain water. Because of this, it dehydrates and dries out more easily. Constanza Ullrich, dermatologist at Clínica RedSalud, explains that the volume in the center of the face is lost, “generating flaccidity and more marked cheeks”.

Nothing else to add to this list of misfortunes? In the case of women, another factor is added to all this: after menopause, the production of estrogen decreases markedly, which reduces the production of collagen, which in itself makes the skin “much softer and weaker” , she barria said.

Collagen is an essential protein for our health in general, and for the skin in particular. Simply put, it is the component that provides its elasticity and firmness, as it also does in muscles, ligaments, tendons and joints.

Collagen production, in turn, depends on fibroblasts, a type of cell that together form a fibrous network that supports and connects other tissues or organs in the body. This is called connective tissue. The low production of collagen implies that this network deteriorates and weakens, so that the replacement and restoration of dead skin cells, produced from an injury or a blow – what we call scarring – becomes more complex and takes longer to occur. .

The risks, according to Fuenzalida, are that people remain “more vulnerable to trauma, such as bruising, irritation and injury, which can lead to infections”.

As we age, the skin tends to lose its lubrication and become dry. It is common for older people to suffer from these effects, especially in the lower legs, elbows and forearms, areas that most often become rough and even scaly.

However, one thing is the natural tendency and the other is the degree of affectation involved. In this sense, our practices and our way of life, even from youth—but especially in adulthood—are a relevant factor over which we can have some control.

“If a patient doesn’t take care of himself, takes a lot of sun, smokes and has a poor lifestyle, the process accelerates. This is called extrinsic aging, which is added to intrinsic or chronological aging, produced only by the fact of living for several years”, explains Constanza Ullrich.

The possible consequences of this are further thinning of the skin, the appearance of wrinkles and spots, as well as the propensity to develop dermatitis or more serious effects, such as skin cancer.

The US National Institute on Aging (NIH) lists some possible reasons why skin dries out more easily in old age:

• Not drinking enough fluids
• Spending a lot of time in the sun or sunbathing
• Living in places with very dry air
• Smoke
• The stress
• Loss of sweat and sebaceous glands, which is common with age

Of course, there are other health-related issues that can affect it, including chronic conditions such as diabetes or kidney failure. The use of certain medications can also cause superficial discomfort, such as itching. This is not minor, as the aforementioned thinning of the skin makes it more susceptible to generating friction injuries. Rubbing a scratch can be damaging enough to expose the person to potential infection.

The appearance of bruises also becomes more frequent. All it takes is a light tap, sometimes a simple touch, to find a mark on the skin later. Medicines and diseases can also be the cause. The recommendation in these cases is to consult a medical specialist.

Wrinkles, such as the famous or infamous crow’s feet or “old age wrinkles”, are part of this manifestation of time on the skin. And not only the time spent, but also the time spent under sun exposure and without protection: the famous ultraviolet light tends to make the skin less elastic. Gravity does its job too, loosening and creasing it with progressive intensity.

The face, neck, hands and forearms are areas prone to the appearance of these folds and lines on the skin, which can often become deeper and drier, forming real furrows, especially around the mouth and eyes. Cigarette tastes can be a factor in the formation of these marks.

And although there seems to be everything on the market to “combat” wrinkles and the effects of aging on the skin —so-called anti-aging products—, it is best to go to a specialist who can make a diagnosis. personalized. , if necessary, provide treatment tailored to individual characteristics.

Some common practices also have common effects and consequences. In this line, specialists provide some recommendations so that, through action, damage to the skin that exposes people to other circumstances that affect their well-being can be avoided.

• Take short baths (maximum 5 minutes) : “When these are long, and with very hot water and lots of soap or shampoo, the skin loses its protective layer”, explains Héctor Fuenzalida. This causes it to become dry and itchy. As we have already seen, scratching can cause injury and risk of infection.
• With lukewarm water, never hot: very hot showers or baths dissolve superficial fat in the skin, which acts as a protective layer.
• Do not rub the skin with cloths or sponges: Being rough, these types of bathroom utensils cause the skin to lose its continuity, even producing cracks or erosions that can cause burning or itching.
• Be careful when using soaps: Katherine Barría explains that soaps that contain detergents dissolve fat, so they will eventually destroy the lipid fat layer. “The recommendation is to avoid using this type of product in the areas where you sweat the most or in the folds, such as the neck, behind the ear, under the chest or in the groin.”
• Avoid perfumes, colognes and powders directly on the skin: Perfumes and powders are usually alcohol-based, which is why they sensitize the skin and can cause certain allergies, such as irritant or allergic contact dermatitis, especially with perfumed or scented products.
• Moisturize the skin after showering or bathing: Ideally, use a fragrance-free moisturizer, as mentioned in the previous point.
• Summarize, but never too much: Fuenzalida advises avoiding the use of multiple layers of clothing, as this can generate perspiration and, therefore, fungus. Along the same lines, Barría points out that sweating causes the skin barrier to break down, “even generating destruction of the cells on the surface, which will cause skin irritation, as well as the invasion of bacteria on the surface of the skin”. A good idea, in cold weather, is to use a first layer with a breathable fabric.

Worrying about your skin only when you reach old age may be too late. The ideal is to do this throughout life, because much of what appears in old age – such as wrinkles and spots – will be a consequence of what was done and not done in youth and at adulthood.

Constanza Ullrich says that with “basic” measures, such as protecting yourself from the sun from early childhood, you can reduce the risks associated with sun exposure and accelerated aging. “This is the first step we should take into consideration.”

The second? Always moisturize the skin. “Make it a habit from an early age”, motivates the dermatologist. After all, it is easier to learn while in old age.