Skin Changes with Time

Infancy: Infant skin is soft, pale, and vulnerable. The collagen in a baby's skin has not yet thickened and shows none of the brittleness that comes with age; it is very supple. The pigment cells are at a low level of activity producing little melanin. They have not yet been assaulted by ultraviolet light and are uniform in distribution, giving an even hue to a baby's skin.

Childhood

The skin is "learning" to adapt to the assault of the sun's rays as well as to other external abuses and stimuli. Although the skin's hue is still even, pigment irregularities and other changes, such as freckles, are beginning to appear. The collagen is shifting away from "baby type" suppleness to the more condensed and rigid " adult type" collagen. Blood vessels grow in response to the skin's nutritional needs, and dilated vessels may appear.

Adolescence The skin is exposed to more external and internal stresses, such as sun, alcohol, drugs, and hormonal changes. Hormonal stimuli are causing a rebellion in the oil glands and hair roots. Acne and excess or decreased hair growth may result. Pigment cells are stimulated to give a rush of color in sexual areas and pigment spots of various types may appear. Changing body shape and rapid growth may cause stretch marks.
 

The Forties: The changes that began at 30 become more dramatic. Lines due to muscle pull, such as frown lines, laugh lines, and crow's feet, remain when the muscles relax. They are etched in the skin. Gravity begins to pull in areas where the skin has lost elasticity, causing it to sag. This is particularly true for the skin of the eyelids and around the jaw The skin recovers less quickly from such abuses as fatigue, stress, and alcohol, partially because the circulatory system is no longer as efficient Dark Spots. often referred to as age spots, may appear. Hormonal change associated with menopause may lead to dry skin, excessive and unwanted hair in certain areas, thinning scalp hair, and a reduction of lubricating mucous in the vagina, eyes, and mouth. Recent studies suggest that testosterone decline in men as early as the forties is responsible for changes in the skin and hair growth patterns, as well as sexual desire. Hormone replacement therapy for men is 20 to 30 years behind that for women.

The Fifties Plus: The signs of aging, including fine and deep wrinkles, sagging skin, uneven color, and fat deposits are much more pronounced. The incidence of skin cancer and other age related blemishes is much higher. These signs will continue to develop unless something is done. The earlier the program of intervention, the less drastic it needs to be.

The Twenties: The skin has reached its developmental peak. It is supple and strong, and because hormonal equilibrium is relatively stable, problems with pimples and oiliness have abated.

The Thirties: The signs of aging begin to appear in most individuals. Damage due to sun exposure begins to manifest itself, particularly if an individual has been in the sun for many years without protection. Fine lines will appear around the eyes and mouth, and the skin may begin to lose some elasticity as the collagen in the dermis begins to clump up. With continuous exposure to the sun and internal hormonal changes, the pigment cells become less efficient at producing melanin, giving an unevenness of color. Silver streaks appear at the temples and thinning of scalp hair may occur in both men and women.