What Makes Skin Get Thin & Very Old Looking?

Thin, old-looking skin comes to us all, if we're lucky. However, when skin thins and ages prematurely, it can be depressing. There's no need to look old before your time. You can keep skin looking youthful for as long as possible if you treat it right. A healthy diet and avoiding skin-damaging habits can go a long way in staving off old, thin-looking skin.

The Structure of Skin

Skin is the largest organ of the body. It primarily consists of two layers: the epidermis, which is the outer, visible layer of skin, and the dermis, which is a thick layer of tissue just beneath the epidermis. The dermis is responsible for supporting the epidermis. To that end, it is composed of a strong mesh of protein fibers, called collagen and elastin. These fibers play an essential role in the appearance of your skin. Collagen is responsible for skin's firmness, while elastin is responsible for skin's elasticity.

Cause of Aging Skin

Skin starts to appear old when the body's production of collagen slows and the elastin fibers begin to lose their springiness. With the decreased production of collagen, the outer skin has less support and begins to sag. Further, because the elastin fibers have decreased elasticity, the skin does not “snap back” the way it used to, giving it a loose, aged appearance. To top it off, according to the American Academy of Dermatology, as we grow older skin tends to lose its fat, making it thin-looking, and gravity pulls on it, making it droop.

Cause of Prematurely Aging Skin

AgingSkinNet reports that changes to collagen and elastin begin in the mid-20s, although the subsequent changes in your skin don't usually become visible until decades later. However, some circumstances can hasten the weakening of these fibers, and make you look old before your time. According to MayoClinic.com, smoking and exposure to sun can damage collagen and elastin fibers, and greatly heighten the chances of developing wrinkles and sagging skin prematurely. In addition, other environmental factors, such as pollution and exposure to secondhand smoke, can also cause damage to skin fibers.

Treatment

A variety of treatments exist for improving the appearance of old-looking or thin skin. In one popular treatment, called “dermal filler,” a dermatologist injects a filler, usually made of collagen or fat, into the skin. The filler plumps the skin and decreases facial lines. Another common treatment is retinoic acid, a cream that can enhance the texture of the skin, and according to the AAD, may boost the production of collagen if regularly applied for several months. A classic face-lift can make skin appear tighter and more youthful as well. However, no treatment can permanently reverse the effects of aging.

Prevention/Solution

Aging skin is inevitable. Nonetheless, the best way to avoid prematurely aging skin is to change lifestyle habits that affect your skin. Cigarette smokers should quit smoking, and sun-lovers should apply ample amounts of sun screen a good 30 minutes before exposing their skin to the sun. A healthy diet can also help keep skin youthful-looking. MayoClinic.com recommends eating foods low-fat and rich in vitamins C for clear, young-looking skin.