Health Issues
Let’s Take Care of Our Beautiful Skin
Aging Skin
As we continue to age, so does our skin. Our skin is the largest organ of our body and it is important to treat it with care. There are many factors that contribute to the aging of our skin. These include intrinsic factors, which are internal factors that are part of the natural aging process; and extrinsic factors, external factors in our environment in which we can alter. A combination of these two processes causes our skin to age, sometimes prematurely.
Intrinsic Factors: “So our skin is aging too, oh great...”
•Fine wrinkles
•Thin and transparent skin
•Loss of subcutaneous or underlying fatty tissue between your skin and muscle, leading to decreased skin turgor or elasticity which results in noticeable loss of firmness in the face, hands and neck
•Bones shrink away from the skin due to bone loss, which causes sagging skin
•Decrease in skin’s natural oils resulting in dry skin that may itch
•Inability to sweat sufficiently to cool the skin
Extrinsic Factors: “For those who worship the sun...”
Photoaging: Skin damage caused by sun exposure is called photoaging and is probably the #1 external factor to aging. Photoaging causes noticeable changes in the skin such as freckles, age spots, spider veins on the face, rough and leathery skin, fine wrinkles, loose skin, blotchy complexion, actinic keratoses (thick wart-like, rough, reddish patches of skin). All skin cancer can be traced to sun exposure. Photoaging occurs over a period of years, the skin loses its natural ability to repair itself after repeat exposure to sun damage.
Gravity: When the skin loses its elasticity, gravity causes drooping of the eyebrows and eyelids, looseness and fullness under the cheeks and jaw (jowls and “double chin”), and longer ear lobes.
Daily Facial Movement: Facial movement lines become more visible after the skin starts losing its elasticity (usually as people reach their 30s and 40s). Lines may appear horizontally on the forehead, vertically between the brows (glabella), or small curved lines around the mouth.
Sleep Position: creases result from the way the head is positioned on the pillow and may become more visible after the skin starts losing its elasticity. Sleep creases are commonly located on the side of the forehead, as well as on the middle of the cheeks. Sleeping on your back may improve these sleep creases or prevent them from becoming worse.
Aging Skin
As we continue to age, so does our skin. Our skin is the largest organ of our body and it is important to treat it with care. There are many factors that contribute to the aging of our skin. These include intrinsic factors, which are internal factors that are part of the natural aging process; and extrinsic factors, external factors in our environment in which we can alter. A combination of these two processes causes our skin to age, sometimes prematurely.
Intrinsic Factors: “So our skin is aging too, oh great...”
•Fine wrinkles
•Thin and transparent skin
•Loss of subcutaneous or underlying fatty tissue between your skin and muscle, leading to decreased skin turgor or elasticity which results in noticeable loss of firmness in the face, hands and neck
•Bones shrink away from the skin due to bone loss, which causes sagging skin
•Decrease in skin’s natural oils resulting in dry skin that may itch
•Inability to sweat sufficiently to cool the skin
Extrinsic Factors: “For those who worship the sun...”
Photoaging: Skin damage caused by sun exposure is called photoaging and is probably the #1 external factor to aging. Photoaging causes noticeable changes in the skin such as freckles, age spots, spider veins on the face, rough and leathery skin, fine wrinkles, loose skin, blotchy complexion, actinic keratoses (thick wart-like, rough, reddish patches of skin). All skin cancer can be traced to sun exposure. Photoaging occurs over a period of years, the skin loses its natural ability to repair itself after repeat exposure to sun damage.
Gravity: When the skin loses its elasticity, gravity causes drooping of the eyebrows and eyelids, looseness and fullness under the cheeks and jaw (jowls and “double chin”), and longer ear lobes.
Daily Facial Movement: Facial movement lines become more visible after the skin starts losing its elasticity (usually as people reach their 30s and 40s). Lines may appear horizontally on the forehead, vertically between the brows (glabella), or small curved lines around the mouth.
Sleep Position: creases result from the way the head is positioned on the pillow and may become more visible after the skin starts losing its elasticity. Sleep creases are commonly located on the side of the forehead, as well as on the middle of the cheeks. Sleeping on your back may improve these sleep creases or prevent them from becoming worse.
Smoking: Cigarette smoking causes biochemical changes in our bodies that accelerate aging. It can create facial wrinkles in people as young as their twenties, which result in deep wrinkles and leathery skin as we age.
Reference: American Academy of Dermatology. (2010). Aging Skin Net, Causes of Aging Skin. Retrieved from www.skincarephysicians.com/agingskinnet/basicfacts.html
DRY SKIN
“Is your skin as dry as an elephant’s? Try these easy tips!” Dry skin and itching is common in later life due to the decreasing amount of oil glands in our skin. About 85% of older people develop “winter itch” because overheated indoor air is dry. The loss of oil glands as we age may also worsen dry skin. Anything that further dries the skin, such as the overuse of soaps or hot baths, will make the problem worse. If your skin is very dry and itchy, see a doctor because this condition can affect your sleep, cause irritability, or be a symptom of a disease. Some medications make the itchiness worse.
Reference: WebMD. (2012). Healthy Beauty, The Effects of Aging on the Skin.
Retrieved from www.webmd.com/healthy-beauty/cosmetic-procedures-aging-skin?page2
Six Tips to Soothe Your Skin
1. Say yes to warm and no to hot:
A steamy shower feels good, but that hot water is not good for your dry skin. The problem is that hot showers strip your body of its natural oil barrier, and you need that barrier to help trap moisture and keep your skin smooth and moist. So turn down the temperature and don’t linger too long. Skin care experts recommend short, warm showers or baths that last no longer than 5 to 10 minutes. Afterward, gently pat your skin dry and moisturize your body.
2. Cleanse gently:
Wash with gentle soaps that are fragrance free. Products with deodorant or antibacterial additives can be harsh on the skin. You might also consider a cleanser that contains ceramides. Ceramides are fatty molecules that make up the outer layer of your skin; they help skin hold in moisture. Try not to use many toners, peels, and other astringents made with alcohol, as they can dry your skin. When you exfoliate, remember to not scrub too hard, as it can irritate and thicken skin.
3. Shave smartly
Shaving can irritate dry skin. As you shave unwanted hair, you are also scraping off the skin’s natural oils. The best time to shave is after you shower, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Hairs are softer and more pliable after bathing, making shaving easier. Always use a shaving cream or gel, and shave in the direction the hair is growing to protect your skin. Make sure the razor is sharp; a dull razor blade can cause additional irritation. Lastly, change your razor blades often.
Reference: American Academy of Dermatology. (2010). Aging Skin Net, Causes of Aging Skin. Retrieved from www.skincarephysicians.com/agingskinnet/basicfacts.html
DRY SKIN
“Is your skin as dry as an elephant’s? Try these easy tips!” Dry skin and itching is common in later life due to the decreasing amount of oil glands in our skin. About 85% of older people develop “winter itch” because overheated indoor air is dry. The loss of oil glands as we age may also worsen dry skin. Anything that further dries the skin, such as the overuse of soaps or hot baths, will make the problem worse. If your skin is very dry and itchy, see a doctor because this condition can affect your sleep, cause irritability, or be a symptom of a disease. Some medications make the itchiness worse.
Reference: WebMD. (2012). Healthy Beauty, The Effects of Aging on the Skin.
Retrieved from www.webmd.com/healthy-beauty/cosmetic-procedures-aging-skin?page2
Six Tips to Soothe Your Skin
1. Say yes to warm and no to hot:
A steamy shower feels good, but that hot water is not good for your dry skin. The problem is that hot showers strip your body of its natural oil barrier, and you need that barrier to help trap moisture and keep your skin smooth and moist. So turn down the temperature and don’t linger too long. Skin care experts recommend short, warm showers or baths that last no longer than 5 to 10 minutes. Afterward, gently pat your skin dry and moisturize your body.
2. Cleanse gently:
Wash with gentle soaps that are fragrance free. Products with deodorant or antibacterial additives can be harsh on the skin. You might also consider a cleanser that contains ceramides. Ceramides are fatty molecules that make up the outer layer of your skin; they help skin hold in moisture. Try not to use many toners, peels, and other astringents made with alcohol, as they can dry your skin. When you exfoliate, remember to not scrub too hard, as it can irritate and thicken skin.
3. Shave smartly
Shaving can irritate dry skin. As you shave unwanted hair, you are also scraping off the skin’s natural oils. The best time to shave is after you shower, according to the American Academy of Dermatology. Hairs are softer and more pliable after bathing, making shaving easier. Always use a shaving cream or gel, and shave in the direction the hair is growing to protect your skin. Make sure the razor is sharp; a dull razor blade can cause additional irritation. Lastly, change your razor blades often.
4. Cover up
Sun damage is one of the main causes of dry skin, wrinkles, and roughness. You can help prevent that damage by wearing a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen year-round and dressing right. In cool weather, dress in layers to prevent overheating and perspiring excessively; both can irritate the skin. To prevent dry, chapped lips in winter, use a lip balm with SPF 15 sunscreen, and cover your lips with a scarf. In the summer, wear light, loose, long-sleeved shirts when out in the sun, and wear a wide-brimmed hat to shade your neck, ears, and eyes.
5. Follow the rules of moisturizing
The simplest moisturizing products can soothe dry skin. Petroleum jelly makes a great moisturizer, or you can use mineral oil, a favorite cream, or lotion. If you like a very rich moisturizer, look for one with shea butter, ceramides, stearic acid, or glycerin. A consistent, smart moisturizing routine helps:
•Wash with a fragrant free liquid cleanser, preferably one with ceramides to replenish the skin’s outer layer.
•Pat skin dry for less than 20 seconds.
•Apply a thick moisturizer to slightly damp skin within minutes of bathing to trap in moisture.
•Moisturize your hands every time you wash them so that evaporating water doesn’t draw even more moisture from your dry skin.
Finally, wear a moisturizing cream with sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher to get the added benefit of sun protection.
Humidity in Winter
Cold, dry air is a common cause of dry, irritated skin. Heating your house keeps you warm, but it also removes moisture from the air, which can make dry skin even more parched. To replenish that missing moisture quickly and easily, use a humidifier.
Reference: WebMD. (2009). Healthy Beauty, 6 Quick and Easy Dry Skin Relievers. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/healthy-beauty/features/6-tips-relive-dry-skin-fast?page=2
www.webmd.com/healthy-beauty/features/6-tips-relive-dry-skin-fast?page=2
By: Lauren Dawes
Nursing Education Program of Saskatchewan Student
January, 2013
Sun damage is one of the main causes of dry skin, wrinkles, and roughness. You can help prevent that damage by wearing a broad-spectrum SPF 30 sunscreen year-round and dressing right. In cool weather, dress in layers to prevent overheating and perspiring excessively; both can irritate the skin. To prevent dry, chapped lips in winter, use a lip balm with SPF 15 sunscreen, and cover your lips with a scarf. In the summer, wear light, loose, long-sleeved shirts when out in the sun, and wear a wide-brimmed hat to shade your neck, ears, and eyes.
5. Follow the rules of moisturizing
The simplest moisturizing products can soothe dry skin. Petroleum jelly makes a great moisturizer, or you can use mineral oil, a favorite cream, or lotion. If you like a very rich moisturizer, look for one with shea butter, ceramides, stearic acid, or glycerin. A consistent, smart moisturizing routine helps:
•Wash with a fragrant free liquid cleanser, preferably one with ceramides to replenish the skin’s outer layer.
•Pat skin dry for less than 20 seconds.
•Apply a thick moisturizer to slightly damp skin within minutes of bathing to trap in moisture.
•Moisturize your hands every time you wash them so that evaporating water doesn’t draw even more moisture from your dry skin.
Finally, wear a moisturizing cream with sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher to get the added benefit of sun protection.
Humidity in Winter
Cold, dry air is a common cause of dry, irritated skin. Heating your house keeps you warm, but it also removes moisture from the air, which can make dry skin even more parched. To replenish that missing moisture quickly and easily, use a humidifier.
Reference: WebMD. (2009). Healthy Beauty, 6 Quick and Easy Dry Skin Relievers. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/healthy-beauty/features/6-tips-relive-dry-skin-fast?page=2
www.webmd.com/healthy-beauty/features/6-tips-relive-dry-skin-fast?page=2
By: Lauren Dawes
Nursing Education Program of Saskatchewan Student
January, 2013
Improving Women's Lives Through Better Health in Mid-Life and Beyond
