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Two major cause for the
skin rapidly aging after the age of
60 which pharma would not like to be mentioned are the decline in sex hormones
and polypharmacy--jk.
It has long been known
that women on HRT have firmer, healthier skin.
Estrogen with progesterone (and possible estrogen alone). From http://healthfully.org/rc/id2.html: Healthier skin American Journal of Clinical
Dermatology &
more hair, hair, hair.
“Studies of
postmenopausal women indicate that estrogen
deprivation is associated with dryness, atrophy, fine
wrinkling, poor healing, epidermal thinning, declining dermal collagen content,
diminished skin moisture. The decrease was preventable by the
use of HRT.” The mean collagen content in the skin
was found
to be 48% greater. Conclusions: HRT significantly slows skin ageing.”
A study in the UK of approximately
700 consecutive emergency
room admission of patients over the age of 70; it found that these patients took
an average of 6 prescription drugs—range 0 to 22.
These cocktail of chemicals has effects upon
the skin. I have notice that those who
take long-term anticoagulants have thin skin and often with blood color blotches. Of course it is not in pharma’s financial
interest
to study this side effect.
SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN.COM 10/1/5
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Why does skin wrinkle with age? What is the best way to slow or prevent this process? |
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Suzan Obagi, assistant professor in dermatology at the University of Pittsburgh and director of
the Cosmetic Surgery and Skin Health Center, explains. |
Normal healthy skin has a nice epidermis with a smooth cornified, or outer, layer that acts as a good barrier to water
and environmental injury. Skin color and tone is even and unblemished. Components such as collagen (which provides skin firmness),
elastin (which supplies skin elasticity and rebound) and glycosaminoglycans or GAGs (which keep the skin hydrated) are all
abundant. It is interesting to note that under a microscope a biopsy of a wrinkle exhibits no telltale signs that reveal it
to be a wrinkle. So what causes the skin to look wrinkled? It is probably a multi-factorial process of intrinsic aging and
extrinsic aging.
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Intrinsic aging is the natural aging process that takes place over the years regardless
of outside influences. After the age of 20, a person produces about 1 percent less collagen in the skin each year. As a result,
the skin becomes thinner and more fragile with age. There is also diminished functioning of the sweat and oil glands, less
elastin production, and less GAG formation. Wrinkle formation as a result of intrinsic aging is inevitable, but it will always
be slight.
Extrinsic aging occurs in addition to intrinsic aging as a result of sun and environmental damage (tobacco use and
exposure to pollution, for example). Extrinsic aging shows up as thickening of the cornified layer, precancerous changes such
as lesions called actinic keratosis, skin cancer (including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, lentigo maligna
melanoma), freckle and sun spot formation, and exaggerated loss of collagen, elastin, and GAGs. Alone or in concert, these
processes give the skin the appearance of roughness, uneven tone, brown patches, thin skin and deep wrinkles. |
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Prevention is key to minimizing wrinkles. The most important thing is to take care of
your skin before all these changes start to take place. Sun protection against both UVA and UVB rays is critical 365 days
a year using an SPF of at least 35: I prefer zinc- or titanium-based products. After the age of 25 I recommend using Retin-A
(a vitamin A derivative that uses the generic name tretinoin) as an antiaging cream. It is a prescription agent that has been
used for more than 30 years with a safe track record and excellent results. In the first two or three months patients may
experience redness, peeling and flaking, but should then noticed a marked improvement. Over time tretinoin improves fine lines,
the appearance of pores, precancerous changes, and brown spots. If tretinoin treatment is not enough, then medium depth chemical
peels and some non-invasive lasers can help build collagen and thus improve the skin's appearance. |
Answer posted on September 26, 2005
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