It is widely believed in the medical community that aging is due
simply to genetic factors and not gender specifically. There is
scientific research that the length of telomeres on cells, which are
inherited, predict the replicative ability of skin cells. One such
article is here:
http://www.pubmedcentral.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=50288
Once cells divide a certain number of times, their growth is stunted
and their function is altered. This in turn causes wrinkles.
Therefore, it is not the gender of the person that determines how
their skin will age, it is cellular distortions independent of gender.
The fact that men and women seem to develop wrinkles in different
areas is due to these genetic factors (such as telomere length and
number of divisions). Take a look at this article as well:
http://www.pubmedcentral.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=40985
An evolutionary biologist would answer by saying that the roughness of
a male's face is a sign of maturity and beauty, and that is is
inherited through sexual selection processes. While men are obsessed
with fair skin and a youthful looking woman, women are generally
attracted to older, more mature men. These cues of aging could simply
be passed on from generation to generation because those inheriting
the genes have a sexual advantage. |