Skin Aging: What to Expect
Sep 2008
All Ages
Consult a dermatologist for a detailed skin analysis and ask for a personalized plan that fits your skin, lifestyle and budget.
Teens
Excess oil is a concern, and acne is a frequent problem. Know the ins and outs of proper skin care-cleansing, acne control, make-up application and removal, sunscreen use, etc.
20s
The first signs of visible damage from sun exposure during the teen and pre-teen years begin to appear. Start good skin habits now-youthful skin will not last forever. Develop an anti-aging plan and stick with it.
30s
Lines of facial expression- squinting, smiling and frowning-begin to show. Sun damage appears heavily in lighter skin, along with decreased radiance and elasticity. Skin begins to show brown spots and/or uneven pigmentation. Moisture levels decline and skin texture may become rough. If you don't have a skin care plan by now, act fast and you will reap not only immediate benefits but prevent future problems as well.
40s
This decade brings a noticeable, overall loss of skin elasticity. Eyelids appear puffy or droopy, and dark circles often appear under the eyes. Smokers in particular may notice lip lines and sagging around the mouth, along with a loss of definition around the lips. Many women see major signs of aging on their chest area. This is a time when your appearance really depends on your actions in earlier decades-it's no coincidence that many people first consult a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon in their 40s.
50s
This age is characterized by a decrease in facial fat volume, muscle and bone, producing increasingly more noticeable changes in the face. Thinning scalp hair and increased facial hair growth may appear along with perimenopausal changes in women such as uneven pigmentation and loss of the skin's radiance and thickness. The effects decreasing collagen levels and elastic fibers, combined with the pull of gravity, become more apparent. Men often see more noticeable changes in their appearance during this decade of life as well.
60s, 70s and Beyond
The continued loss of fat and bone produces even more sagging and decreased skin volume. Careful attention to your skin and body as well as periodic skin checks are crucial. Skin cancer-a risk at any age-becomes an increasing concern for people in their 60s who have light skin, just as uneven pigmentation is a growing problem for those with darker skin. By the 70s, the skin and tissues of the neck, chest, arms and hands are vulnerable to easy bruising and dryness. Chronic health problems may begin to affect the body's overall health as well as the skin.
Dr. David H. McDaniel is the director of the Laser, Skin and Vein Center of Virginia and the Institute of Anti-Aging Research, both located in Virginia Beach. He is an assistant professor of clinical dermatology and plastic surgery at Eastern Virginia Medical School, adjunct professor at the Hampton University School of Science and adjunct assistant professor at Old Dominion University's Department of Biological Sciences. Most recently, he accepted a position as co-director of the Skin of Color Research Institute at Hampton University. He is certified by the American Board of Dermatology.