The aging of skin is a known cellular degenerative process resulting from genetics and environmental factors. The dermal layer of skin contains the structural elements and proteins necessary for maintaining skin thickness, elasticity, and vitality. With age, the rate of production of these proteins decreases, and results in wrinkling, laxity, dryness, and general thinning of the skin. Prominent wrinkling is mainly caused by the loss of dermal collagen content, and a decreased rate of collagen production (1). This is a result of decreased growth factor production. When your skin is young, the dermal layer of skin naturally contains more growth factors necessary for maintaining skin thickness, elasticity and vitality.
As we age, skin loses around 1% of its fibroblast population and thickness per year. The rate of decline in fibroblast cell number and function is increased by sun exposure, and recent studies have also shown that sun damaged skin has 35% fewer capillaries than normal skin. Signs of aging are visible on the skin after the age of 25. (2)
Our environment that we live in can be a toxic place for our skin to be in every day. Listed below are some of the more common environmental factors that cause the skin to age at a premature rate.
Environmental Factors
Although the Environment plays a key role in determining the aging process of our skin we also have to look at the genetic side in the process of skin aging. For genetics may ultimately determine how quickly a person’s skin ages and becomes thinner.
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