Skin aging occurs due to genetic and environmental factors. Over time, every cell, tissue and organ ages. The organ where the effects of aging are observed much more easily is our skin. As people age, the tissues in their bodies age with them and undergo some changes. The most striking of these tissues is the changes in the skin due to aging. Although it is not possible to stop aging or completely prevent age-related skin problems; It is possible to control the emerging symptoms.
Why does the skin age?
There are many factors that affect the aging of the skin. In some cases, it accelerates the natural aging process of the skin, causing it to wear out faster and premature aging of the skin. These factors can be listed as follows:
- Loss of collagen: With aging, there is a decrease in the production of collagen fibers in the body, and weakening begins in the bones, joints and tendon tissues, especially the skin.
- Weight loss. : After rapid weight loss, looseness occurs in the skin. The reason for this is that the skin adapts and stretches as the body gains weight.
- Exposure to sunlight: Studies have shown that long-term exposure to ultraviolet rays, in particular, causes wrinkles, sagging and various tissue and color changes in the skin, particularly skin cancers. .
- Environmental pollution: As a result of exposure to the skin of chemicals that cause pollution in the air or water, signs of aging increase on the skin.
- Cigarette: Toxins in cigarette smoke cause inflammatory reactions on the skin and accelerate the signs of aging.
- Sleep habit: Since our body performs the processes of regeneration and removal of toxins during sleep, the skin of individuals who do not have quality sleep habits ages faster. Signs of aging are more common on the skin of people with aging.
- Dehydration: The skin of people who do not drink enough fluids during the day will dry out and develop signs of aging.
- Alcohol use: Alcohol use has accelerated dehydration.
- Stress: The increase in the amount of stress hormones in the blood in people with an intensely stressful lifestyle causes an inflammatory condition throughout the body and causes signs of aging on the skin. .
What are the Symptoms of Skin Aging?
With the aging of the skin, certain deteriorations and new structures occur in the skin tissue. It is possible to summarize these symptoms as follows:
Sunspots or age spots; These are dark spots that commonly occur on the skin, especially as a result of years of exposure to sunlight. It is frequently seen on the face, back of the hand or forearm. Although it can be seen earlier in people with lighter skin color, it often occurs after the age of 40.
Skinning of the hands; It is the formation of thinning, vascularization and wrinkled appearance on the skin of the fingers due to the disruption of the production of collagen fibers with age. It begins to appear between the ages of 30 and 40.
Increased color and staining in the chest area; It is the appearance of coloration and dark spots similar to sunspots in the area between the neck and chest.
Dry and itchy skin; It is a problem that increases in frequency with age. The reason is that the gradually thinning skin dries out as a result of dehydration and creates a feeling of itching with the associated inflammatory reaction.
Wrinkles and sagging; After the age of 30, the skin begins to lose its elasticity and tension in proportion to the decrease in collagen. As a result, wrinkles and sagging of the skin, which loses its elasticity, occur, which is compatible with the tensions, especially in places where the muscles are frequently contracted, such as the forehead or around the eyes.
Hair loss; It is associated with the inability to produce new hair fibers due to the decrease in the number of stem cells in hair follicles with age. Regardless of age, it can be affected by different factors such as hormonal changes, environmental factors, genetic structure or nutritional habits.
What Should Be Done to Prevent Skin Aging?
If signs of aging are detected on the skin, these symptoms can be control in a variety of ways possible under. Removal of symptoms requires aging skin care; Various methods can be used to prevent symptoms that have not yet appeared. However, the measures to be taken and the methods to be applied for each symptom vary. Accordingly, recommendations to prevent skin aging and methods of eliminating symptoms such as wrinkles can be summarized as follows:
- For age spots, it is important to consult a specialist physician first. While sunspots can be a harbinger of various health problems, they can also occur due to some problems other than aging. Therefore, it is necessary to make sure that there is no other underlying health problem. For aging-related spots, it is recommended to use sunscreens with a protection factor of at least 30 and to take precautions against direct exposure to sunlight. Creams containing aloe vera, vitamin C and alpha-hydroxy acid can be used for existing stains.
- Moisturizing the hands is of great importance for slimming the hands. After moistening the hands, using products that trap the liquid in the area will increase the effect. In addition, sunscreens with a factor of at least 30 can be used to protect the hands from sunlight. If hands are exposed to various chemicals in daily activities; Exposure should be stopped as much as possible. For this purpose, it may be preferable to work with gloves.
- Since the staining on the chest area is also related to sun rays, it will be beneficial to use sunscreen with at least 30 factor. It is useful to moisten the area at regular intervals and to support it with ointments containing vitamin C or retinoids. There are also mild steroid-containing drugs that can be prescribed by the physician for discoloration and darkening.
- For dry and itchy skin, it is necessary to consult a dermatologist first. Because various health problems that can cause dryness and itching on the skin can also be the source of the problem. After excluding these, moisturizing the skin and taking plenty of fluids are essential. Short-term, frequent showering is another method that can be applied.
- Wrinkles and For sagging, it is important to protect the skin from the sun with a sunscreen with a factor of at least 30. Especially areas that are more exposed to the sun, such as the forehead and arms, should be protected from exposure to the sun. Quitting smoking and alcohol is beneficial. Drinking plenty of fluids, moisturizing the skin and applying creams with green tea extract, vitamin A, vitamin C, retinoid and antioxidants will be beneficial. Botox or dermal filler applications are effective in eliminating wrinkles and sagging in certain areas.
- For hair loss, it is beneficial to use shampoos and conditioners produced for this problem, especially on thinning and brittle hair. It is important to add foods that will help strengthen hair fibers to the diet. In this sense, it is beneficial to take foods rich in vitamins A, C and E such as eggs, oily fish such as spinach, salmon, green tea, avocado, pomegranate, hazelnuts.
- For sleeping or during the day. It is useful to lie on your back instead of on your stomach, and to avoid expressions such as frowning and pursing your lips as much as possible to prevent facial wrinkles. regular exercise can be done to prevent the response; Stress-reducing activities such as deep breathing exercises, yoga or meditation can be engaged in.
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