Ageing With Grace

Throughout life, skin lives through all your phases - tough or sensitive. As the seasons change and so does your skin, it's absolutely necessary to care for it with the right skincare routine. Here's how to understand your aging skin and best nurture it over the years.

- Dr. Jaishree Sharad

A degenerative process caused by both intrinsic and extrinsic factors, aging is an undeniable fact of beauty. While the intrinsic or natural process is genetically programmed and occurs evenly on all skin surfaces, superimposed changes at both the physical and microscopic levels occur by environmental or extrinsic factors.

> Signs and Symptoms

• Wrinkles (fine lines and deep wrinkles)

• Sagging skin

• Loss of elasticity

• Loss of fat volume

• Thin transparent skin

• Pigmentation

• Hair loss

• Unwanted hair

> Causes and Triggers

Intrinsic aging is responsible for 20% of aging and 80% aging changes are due to extrinsic factors.

Hormonal influences, genetics, poor blood supply, sunlight, smoking, alcohol, weed, irregular sleep, unhealthy diet, and lack of exercise are some of the main catalysts of aging.

> How Does Aging Happen?

Intrinsic aging normally begins in mid- twenties. As a part of the physiological process, the cells in the lower part of epidermis reach the surface within 28 days in children and young adults. This cycle slows down to 45-60 days in those above the age of forty-five. As we age, dead skin cells shed more slowly and there is a built-up of old cells on the skin surface. The turnover of new cells decreases. This leads to dull, flaky skin. Moisture content decreases in the skin due to disruption in the protective lipid layer of the skin and reduction in hyaluronic acid content in the skin. Consequently, skin becomes dry and dehydrated.