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Q: skin biology ( Answered,   0 Comments )
Question  
Subject: skin biology
Category: Health
Asked by: kiransoo-ga
List Price: $5.00
Posted: 08 Feb 2003 11:25 PST
Expires: 10 Mar 2003 11:25 PST
Question ID: 158845
Ageing is a response to intrinsic and extrinsic factors that affect
skin. Discuss changes seen in skin and their causes.(if possible
please give references)
Answer  
Subject: Re: skin biology
Answered By: bcguide-ga on 08 Feb 2003 19:46 PST
 
Hi,

"Skin changes are among the most visible signs of aging. Evidence of
increasing age include wrinkles and sagging skin."
"With aging, the outer skin layer (epidermis) thins even though the
number of cell layers remains unchanged.
The number of pigment-containing cells (melanocytes) decreases, but
the remaining melanocytes increase in size. Aging skin thus appears
thinner, more pale, and translucent. Large pigmented spots (called age
spots, liver spots, or lentigos) may appear in sun-exposed areas.
Changes in the connective tissue reduce the skin's strength and
elasticity. This is known as elastosis and is especially pronounced in
sun-exposed areas (solar elastosis). Elastosis produces the leathery,
weather-beaten appearance common to farmers, sailors, and others who
spend a large portion of their life outdoors.
The blood vessels of the middle layer (dermis) become more fragile,
which in turn leads to bruising, bleeding under the skin (purpura),
cherry angiomas or small red spots on the skin, and similar
conditions.
Sebaceous glands produce less oil. Men experience a minimal decrease,
usually after 80 years old. Women gradually produce less oil beginning
after menopause. This can make it harder to keep the skin moist,
resulting in dryness and itchiness.
The subcutaneous fat layer, which provides insulation and padding,
thins. This increases your risk of skin injury and reduces your
ability to maintain body temperature.
As medications are absorbed by the fat layer, and loss of this layer
changes the way that these medications work. As you age, you have less
"natural insulation" and in cold weather, hypothermia can result.
The sweat glands produce less sweat. This makes it harder to keep
cool, and you become at increased risk for becoming overheated or
developing heat stroke.
Growths such as skin tags, warts, and other blemishes are more common
in older people."
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/004014.htm
***

"There are two classes of aging: Intrinsic(chronological) and
photoaged (sun damaged). The changes in mature, sun-exposed skin has
unique clinical and histolic features that are not observed in
sun-protected skin. Clinical changes in skin that has been protected
are relatively subtle and consist primarily of fine wrinkling, laxity,
and a broad variety of benign neoplasms (excess tissue growth)."
http://www.californiabodycare.com/reference/agingskin.asp
***

"Aging of the skin is associated with loss of Youthful appearance, it
is characterized by decreased skin tautness and the development of
wrinckles.
Of greatest concern are those changes which occur on the exposed parts
of the body . The hair may become thiner or turn gray. There may be
prominent tiny blood vessels ( telangiectasiase and hemangiomas),
pigmented lesions (letigines), and hyperkeratotic growths (solar and
seborrheic keratoses), as well as other tiny excrescences (papillomas)
appearing on the cutaneous surface."
http://www.arabmedmag.com/general/issue-22-5/dermatology02.htm
***

Combating Skin Aging
http://www.lef.org/magazine/mag2003/jan2003_cover_skinaging_01.html
***

"Intrinsic aging refers to skin changes resulting from largely unknown
internal bodily and genetic factors associated with a person's
chronological age. Extrinsic influences are mainly environmental
factors, the most significant being sun exposure.

Photodamage describes the chronic, structural damage to skin caused by
long-term sun exposure (Solar Radiation).

There are easily identified signs of aging skin: 

mottled hyperpigmentation (uneven discoloration) 
surface roughness 
fine wrinkles (disappear when stretched) 
coarse wrinkles 
laxity 
lentigines 
sallowness 
telangiectasia (dilated blood vessels)" 
http://www.centerforderm.com/articles/aging.html
***

"The overall appearance of aging skin is primarily related to the
quantitative effects of sun exposure with resultant UV damage of
structural components such as collagen and elastic fibers. 
Appearance, however, is also affected by genetic factors, intrinsic
factors, disease processes such as rosacea, and the over-all loss of
cutaneous elasticity associated with age.  Many patients have exposed
themselves to vast amounts of sun during activities of everyday life
and recreation.  Along with thinning of the ozone and other factors,
this has made visible signs of aging, damage and disease evident in
younger and younger individuals.  We are seeing patients in their
twenties and thirties presenting with solar elastosis,
telangiectasias, lentigines and rhytid formation.  In the older
population and those individuals with extensive sun exposure, these
changes are magnified."
http://www.cosmeticprocedurescenter.com/ClinicialData.htm
***

There's a great reference at Medscape. You'll need to register - it's
free - to access the page.
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/432515
***

What’s the Skinny on Your Skin?
http://alegent.iqhealth.com/atoz/centers/womenshealth/womskin.htm
***

Search terms: 
biology epidermal stress factor skin aging
skin changes aging factor

These references range from simple to complex explanations. Hope they
serve your needs.

bcguide-ga
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