«Nails - cosmetics against skin aging - antiaging
Generality
Skin aging is an inevitable biological phenomenon. Fortunately, it is an extremely gradual process, which gives man the ability to get used to changes in his physical appearance.
In any case, advancing age involves changes in all the components of the integumentary system. Already at the end of growth, the skin begins to age, in relation to age and individual characteristics.
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As mentioned, skin aging is a completely natural and inevitable physiological process that affects all individuals.
The structural changes that the skin undergoes over time are caused by a series of factors of different origins.
In detail, it can be said that these changes are caused by two forms of aging:
- Intrinsic - or chronological - aging which substantially depends on genetic (or intrinsic) factors;
- Extrinsic skin aging - or environmental factors - caused by external factors (extrinsic factors).
Intrinsic aging, in principle, begins after the age of 25 and involves a series of modifications that lead to thinning and collapse of the skin structure.
Extrinsic aging, on the other hand, is caused by the aggression of external agents and environmental factors including UV radiation (responsible for photoaging), cigarette smoke, alcohol abuse, pollution and continuous contact with substances irritants.
Structural Alterations
What are the structural changes that occur during skin aging?
Summarizing what has been said so far, we can affirm that skin aging is a completely natural process linked to genetic (or intrinsic) factors which can, however, be accelerated and accentuated by the action of external (or extrinsic) environmental factors.
The structural changes undergone by the skin with the advancing age involve all its layers: from the most superficial one (epidermis) to the deepest one (hypodermis).
These alterations will be briefly illustrated below.
Epidermis
At the level of the epidermis, the proliferative capacity of the basal cells is reduced which results in the progressive thinning of this superficial layer. This phenomenon therefore determines a decrease in its protective efficacy.
Also at the epidermal level, the number of Langerhans cells, which are particularly important because they belong to the immune system, is halved.
In addition, skin synthesis of vitamin D decreases by up to 75%, with a consequent decrease in muscle strength and progressive bone demineralization.
The activity of melanocytes is also reduced and, in proportion to this deficit, the skin becomes more susceptible to the effects of solar radiation and other environmental factors. Also for this reason in the elderly there is an increased incidence of skin tumors.
At the same time, highly active melanocyte aggregates can form in mature skin, resulting in the appearance of solar lentigo (skin spots in areas exposed to UV rays) and senile lentigo, which may be associated with an increased risk of melanoma.
Dermo-epidermal junction
Similarly, structural alterations occur in the dermal-epidermal junction - also known as the basement membrane - which is located on the border between the epidermis and the papillary dermis.
In fact, due to aging processes, the basement membrane thins and the interface between epidermis and dermis, which normally has a wavy pattern due to the presence of dermal papillae, tends to flatten. Consequently, there is less support. by the dermis towards the overlying epidermal layer.
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Dermis
Undoubtedly, the structural alterations undergone by the components of the dermis are one of the determining factors that lead to skin failure typical of aging.
In fact, the aforementioned flattening of the dermal papillae and the decrease in the support of the dermis towards the epidermis are due to the progressive reduction in the number and activity of fibroblasts (the cells of the dermis responsible for the production of collagen, elastic fibers and glycosaminoglycans).
At the same time, the already formed collagen, elastic fibers and glycosaminoglycans - which together form the scaffolding that supports the skin - are degraded faster and the dermal structure gradually begins to lose its support and support capabilities.
Due to all these phenomena, therefore, the dermis thins, the skin becomes less turgid and wrinkles appear.
Skin glands
Not even the cutaneous glands present on the skin are saved from the inexorable phenomena of aging.
In fact, as the age progresses, the activity of the sebaceous glands decreases and - due to the consequent reduced production of sebum - the skin is drier, less protected and peels off more easily.
In the elderly there is also a reduced secretion of the apocrine glands (the smell of the skin is altered) and sweat. This last point, associated with a decrease in blood flow in the dermis, causes a lower ability to disperse excess heat. This is also the reason why the elderly are less effective in protecting themselves from heat.
Hypodermis
As mentioned, even the subcutaneous tissue (or hypodermis, if you prefer) undergoes profound alterations as a result of the inevitable passage of time. It, in fact, thins, thus decreasing its thickness, marking wrinkles and increasing the sensitivity of the skin. to mechanical trauma.
Skin appendages
Finally, the aging of the skin does not spare even the skin appendages: the hair and the hairs slow down their growth; the same goes for the nails, which become less elastic but increase in thickness.
Aftermath
What are the consequences of skin aging?
Unfortunately, the appearance of imperfections of time such as wrinkles and hyperpigmented spots is not the only consequence of skin aging.
In fact, there is a relationship between aging and carcinogenesis. First of all, because in the elderly the programmed death of "crazy" cells (apoptosis) is much less efficient than in young individuals. In addition, antioxidant defenses and DNA repair capacity also decrease in the elderly.
At the same time, the ability of the skin itself to repair itself decreases and - for what has been said so far - there is a greater susceptibility, not only to skin tumors, but also to the contraction of infections.
