Aging Skin Treatment- Dermatology

As we age, our skin starts changing, and we develop fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots. Aging skin is most noticeable on your face and neck, but there are multiple treatments available to help you look younger. Additionally, there are a few things you can do by yourself to slow down skin aging.

Who treats aging skin?

Dermatologists, aesthetic medicine professionals, and cosmetic surgeons can help treat a person who is concerned about their aging skin.

Treatments for aging skin

There are various types of medical treatments for aging skin that are briefly described below.

Botox or Xeomin injections

Botox and Xeomin are used to reduce wrinkles and fine lines on the face. The injection, in both cases, contains a form of the Botulinum toxin, which paralyzes the muscles, helping to smooth out the skin.

Platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP)

PRP involves injecting small amounts of platelet-rich plasma into areas of the skin to help trigger the formation of more elastin and collagen. Similar to collagen, elastin is an important connective tissue of the skin.

Facial fillers

Substances such as hyaluronic acid, fat, and calcium hydroxylapatite can be used to fill in parts of the face that have sunken with age. .

Chemical peels

Chemical peels are an abrasive method that removes the outermost layer of the skin. The new skin that surfaces in place of the older layer is smoother and looks younger.

Laser resurfacing

In this technique, a laser is used to help stimulate collagen production in the lower layers of the skin. Collagen is an important connective tissue that imbues the skin with structural support. The idea is to rejuvenate the skin through laser resurfacing.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion exfoliates the skin by using a special applicator. The procedure removes fine lines and hyperpigmented areas.

Radiofrequency (RF) therapy

This  non-invasive method uses electromagnetic waves to help tighten loose and sagging skin.

Intense pulsed light therapy (IPL)

This technique uses light to remove blemishes, sunspots, and wrinkles. Studies have shown that IPL helps get rid of hyperpigmented spots and reddened areas on the skin.

Cryotherapy

Cryotherapy is sometimes used to remove warts. Warts are more common in older people who may have a weaker immune system. Cryotherapy uses a tiny bit of liquid nitrogen to freeze off warts.

Facelift and neck lift

A facelift is a surgical method performed on the face to tighten up the skin. A neck lift is when surgery is done to tighten the skin on the neck. Surgical methods such as these have a higher risk of complications because they are invasive procedures.

Besides medical treatments, there are some steps you can take to preserve smooth and younger-looking skin:

Lifestyle changes to help prevent aging skin

Diet

Research suggests that following a whole food diet that is rich in antioxidants is helpful in reducing skin aging. Antioxidants are vitamins such as A, E, and C, which help prevent oxidation damage to cells. Whole-food diets advocate eating lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. 

Beverages

Caffeine-containing drinks may cause a lack of sleep and also dehydrate your skin. Alcohol use increases the development of puffy eyes and lines on the face. Alcohol also reduces the amounts of carotenoids in the skin; carotenoids are important antioxidant molecules.

Smoking

Smoking is bad for the skin, causing crow’s feet, wrinkles, and other facial lines. Smoking damages the collagen, and elastin formation mechanism. It is better to quit smoking to keep your skin looking younger.

Exercise

 Physical activity may help keep your skin looking younger because the skin retains more moisture after activity. This is thought to be linked to mitochondrial activity in the skin cells.

Sleep

Getting enough sleep is important because this is when skin[1] [2]  circulation increases and collagen repair can occur. A lack of sleep is evident on the skin, with a person having bags under their eyes and developing more wrinkling and fine lines on the face.

Sun protection

Sun exposure is essential for helping us form vitamin D, but too much can damage the skin because of UV radiation. This can result in many of the age spots, blemishes, and wrinkles we see in old age. In extreme cases, excess sun exposure or tanning bed use can lead to skin cancer. Avoid tanning beds as much as possible, and use sunscreen whenever you are outside.

Skin care

It is important to cleanse your face every night before going to bed. This helps clean your pores that may be clogged with dirt and sweat. You can choose a moisturizer to use at night. 

Skin conditions associated with aging

Certain changes in the skin are more common with aging. These are listed and discussed below.

• Warts: These are protrusions on the skin that are caused by human papillomavirus.
• Skin tags: These are harmless growths on the skin.
• Blemishes: Discolored patches of skin.
• Age spots: Areas where the skin has darkened due to UV radiation.
• Fine lines: The precursor to wrinkles.
• Wrinkles: Deep lines on the skin, often seen on the face in old age.
• Easy bruising: The skin thins with age, and bruising becomes more likely for some people on blood thinners.
• Actinic keratosis: This is a skin condition that can lead to skin cancer.
• Skin cancer: This disease can be disfiguring and sometimes deadly.

References:

• DiBernardo, B. E., & Pozner, J. N. (2016). Intense pulsed light therapy for skin rejuvenation. Clinics in Plastic Surgery, 43(3), 535-540.
• Goodman, G. D., Kaufman, J., Day, D., Weiss, R., Kawata, A. K., Garcia, J. K., ... & Gallagher, C. J. (2019). Impact of smoking and alcohol use on facial aging in women: results of a large multinational, multiracial, cross-sectional survey. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 12(8), 28.
• Landau, M. (2008). Chemical peels. Clinics in dermatology, 26(2), 200-208.
• Ryosuke, O., Yoshie, S., & Hiromi, A. (2021). The association between activity levels and skin moisturising function in adults. Dermatology Reports, 13(1).
• Shin, M. K., Lee, J. H., Lee, S. J., & Kim, N. I. (2012). Platelet‐rich plasma combined with fractional laser therapy for skin rejuvenation. Dermatologic surgery, 38(4), 623-630.
• Solway, J., McBride, M., Haq, F., Abdul, W., & Miller, R. (2020). Diet and dermatology: the role of a whole-food, plant-based diet in preventing and reversing skin aging—a review. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 13(5), 38.
• Wu, X., Wang, X., Wu, X., Cen, Q., Xi, W., Shang, Y., ... & Lin, X. (2022). Intense pulsed light therapy improves acne-induced post-inflammatory erythema and hyperpigmentation: a retrospective study in Chinese patients. Dermatology and Therapy, 12(5), 1147-1156.

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