Our skin becoming thinner is part of the aging process and how ageing effects our skin. But thin skin can be treated. You can treat thinning skin either by prevention or treating it to become thicker. We will try to show you how you can maintain your skin plump and healthy as you get older.
Thinning skin is both a cosmetic concern as well as a medical concern. This is because our skin is our largest organ and is our first line of defence against pathogens, toxins, extreme temperature, pollution, and UV rays from the sun. So due to the protection our skin provides us as it gets thinner it loses its ability to provide protection. In addition, thinning skin makes our skin less sensitive to different sensations felt by touch.
In many older adults the thinning skin is very prone to injury. The thinning skin in older adults can be cut, bruised, and scraped. Sometimes these injuries occur without people even being aware of them. These injuries can at times lead to infections and other health challenges.
As we mentioned fortunately there are ways to slow down the skin thinning process. By changing to a lifestyle that includes habits that enhance the production of collagen, preserve skin health, and increase skin volume we can slow down the thinning process of skin. As well there are also skincare products and dermatological treatments that can be used to enhance the skin cell turnover by strengthening and rebuilding the outer layer of the skin.
The causes of thinning skin
The process of losing dead skin cells is normal and it occurs even in the healthiest skins. Most adults can lose about 4.5 kilos of dead skin cells each year. While we are young our bodies are able to regenerate skin quickly. Skin regeneration is actually an exfoliation and skin peeling process better known as desquamation.
But as we age the skin regeneration process slows down significantly. The skin regeneration process can also be further slowed down by lifestyle habits such as consuming alcohol, smoking, tanning, and eating junk foods.
The skin regeneration process takes place around every 28 days in young adults. By the time we reach the age of 40 the process slows down significantly. When we have reached our 50’s it can take as long as three months for skin regeneration to take place. Other factors that can enhance skin thinning include hormonal changes. After menopause skin thinning can accelerate.
Ways to prevent thinning skin
As with other health conditions taking steps to prevent and slow down the skin thinning process are the best option. By changing lifestyle habits such as stop tanning, reducing alcohol consumption and stop smoking you can slow down the skin thinning process.
In addition to avoiding certain negative lifestyle habits, we have mentioned above you can include certain beneficial habits. These habits include using sunscreen in your skincare routine, exercising, staying hydrated, using moisturizers, consuming a healthy diet with colourful fruits and vegetables and cleansing your skin gently.
Furthermore, your skincare routine also plays a crucial role when it comes to slowing down the skin thinning process. Make sure to use skin persevering products in your skincare routine that slows down the skin thinning process.
Ways to strengthen your skin
There are also certain steps you can take also to strengthen your skin. These methods not only strengthen skin but also help to brighten your complexion and your overall health.
- Protecting your skin from the sun is very important. Make sure to always wear sunscreen and also wear protective clothing when exposed to the sun.
- Keep your skin moisturized and hydrated. When our skin is moisturized, it is less susceptible to injuries such as tears and breaks. By keeping your skin hydrated you are protecting the skin barrier and enhancing its ability to repair itself.
- Our circulation also plays an important role when it comes to preserving the elasticity of our skin. We can improve the elasticity of our skin by maintaining an optimal blood circulation levels.
- Make sure to consume proteins since consuming less proteins have been associated with skin fragility in older adults.
