How does ageing manifest itself in the skin?
Skin ageing manifests itself through:
- The appearance of skin spots
- Wrinkles and sagging skin
- In more advanced stages, premalignant red scaly lesions called actinic keratoses, which if left untreated can progress and develop into skin cancer.
It is important to examine the skin with a dermatoscope to detect lesions present on aged skin.
It is important to bear in mind that what is visible to the naked eye—spots, wrinkles, sagging skin—is just the tip of the iceberg. Beneath these seemingly cosmetic changes, there may be atypical cells that need to be treated to prevent them from continuing to progress and possibly developing into skin cancer.
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Benefits of treatment
Skin ageing occurs due to the effect of the passage of time and external factors on the skin (extrinsic ageing).
Having healthy skin
The anti-ageing treatment will leave your skin glowing, blemish-free and with fewer wrinkles and sagging.
Preventing and treating wrinkles
Firstly, we will prevent the formation of new wrinkles while treating existing ones.
Preventing and treating sagging skin
Another beneficial effect is the prevention of future sagging, as well as the reduction of existing sagging.
Preventing and treating spots
With comprehensive treatment for skin ageing, we will also slow down the appearance of spots and treat those spots that have already appeared on the skin.
Preventing skin cancer
One of the greatest benefits of treating skin ageing is that we are preventing skin cancer, as any atypical cells that may have appeared will be eliminated.
Causes of premature skin ageing
Nutrition
Skin will age prematurely if there is a vitamin deficiency, especially vitamin C, which is necessary for collagen production. The same applies if there is a lack of proteins and minerals, which are essential for healthy skin. Nor should we forget the importance of essential fatty acids and healthy fats, which form part of cell membranes. The precursors of vitamin D, which is produced in the epidermis of the skin, require both ultraviolet B rays and fat.
Intrinsic factors - Chronological ageing
There are genetic factors that determine whether certain people will experience premature skin ageing. In fact, diseases such as progeria are caused by genetic mutations characterised by very premature skin ageing.
Ultraviolet radiation
Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is the main cause of skin ageing. It is called photoageing (dermatoheliosis). Ultraviolet B radiation is primarily responsible for the appearance of spots and precancerous lesions of the epidermis, known as actinic keratoses. Ultraviolet A radiation, which penetrates deeper, affects the dermis and is responsible for the destruction of collagen and elastin (this phenomenon is called solar elastosis). The result will be the appearance of the dreaded wrinkles and sagging skin. Today, we know that visible light, especially blue light (HEVL high emission visible light) emitted by screens, can cause photoaging, as can high doses of infrared radiation.
Tobacco
Studies on twins demonstrate the accelerating effect of tobacco on skin ageing. Tobacco causes an increase in collagen destruction and inhibits the formation of new collagen. Typically, smokers have aged, thickened skin that lacks shine and luminosity.
Environmental toxins
Toxins in the environmental pollution that we inhale, pesticides, preservatives and additives in the food we eat, and perfumes, solvents and preservatives in the cosmetics we apply every day can contribute to skin ageing. Many of these substances can act as endocrine disruptors, capable of altering hormone functions that are essential to our health.
Exposure to high doses of electromagnetic radiation
Cancer patients treated with radiotherapy have aged skin in the irradiated areas and are more likely to develop skin cancer in these areas. Pilots and flight attendants are also exposed to more electromagnetic radiation and therefore have a higher risk of premature skin ageing and skin cancer.
Circadian rhythm disorders
Most of the essential regeneration, revitalisation, and rejuvenation for the skin takes place overnight, beginning at 10 p.m. If we do not get enough sleep, go to bed too late, or do not rest well due to anxiety or because we do not breathe properly and suffer from sleep apnoea, this will be reflected in our skin in the form of premature ageing.
Stress
Stress causes the release of cortisol, which affects collagen in the skin by increasing its destruction and decreasing its production. In other words, wrinkles will appear. Stress additionally contributes to the depletion of subcutaneous lipids, causing the skin to lose its firmness. A surge in cortisol additionally triggers a rise in MSH (melanocyte stimulating hormone), which in turns boosts melanin synthesis by melanocytes, resulting in the distinctive blemishes associated with premature skin ageing. Prolonged elevated cortisol levels eventually cause the formation of blood vessels, telangiectasias (spider veins), which are also present in many cases of ageing skin.
What does skin-ageing prevention treatment entail?
Prevention involves following certain habits to maintain healthy skin. We can even list them:
- Use sunscreen. During the summer months, we advise using a sunscreen with an SPF above 30 to shield against both UVA and UVB radiation, preferably a tinted sunscreen, which will also protect against visible light.
- Smokers should quit smoking.
- Follow a balanced diet that is rich in vitamins, minerals, proteins, and healthy fats, but low in simple sugars, which should be replaced by whole grains.
- Go to bed earlier and have dinner at least two hours beforehand.
- Avoid exposure to blue light-emitting screens for two hours before bedtime.
- Seek treatment for any respiratory problems.
- Learn to manage stress through meditation, mindfulness, yoga, Qigong, and breathing exercises.
- In some cases, adaptogens such as ashwagandha, rhodiola, saffron, medicinal mushrooms, and herbal medicine may be beneficial.
What can be done to restore very aged skin?
- Over-the-counter topical treatments.
Use the appropriate cream according to the degree of ageing and skin type. For very damaged and dry skin, it is best to use creams with oilier excipients.
Tap water in many areas throughout Spain, but especially around Barcelona, contains high levels of lime, chlorine and heavy metals. In these cases, it is beneficial to use a water softener or install a filter in the shower to remove these harmful substances.
- Oral antioxidants
Antioxidants have proven to be effective in preventing and treating skin ageing. Antioxidants neutralise the free radicals produced by factors that accelerate skin ageing.
- Chemical peeling and low-intensity light therapy
Peeling lets us renew the layers of the epidermis so that other active substances can penetrate and take effect in the dermis. We always associate them with low-intensity light therapy due to their anti-inflammatory effect, stimulation of collagen synthesis, and regulation of cellular functions.
- Photodynamic therapy
This technique uses a photosensitiser which, when irradiated with light therapy, destroys the atypical cells that appear on ageing skin. These lesions can also be treated with cryotherapy or immunomodulatory drugs. In cases of skin cancer, surgical removal will be the treatment of choice whenever possible.
- Vascular laser, Q-switched or resurfacing. Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
We will use different types of lasers to treat different signs of skin ageing, such as blood vessels and blemishes, or if you want to renew the layers of the epidermis.
- Neuromodulators
Used to treat expression lines
- Infiltrations of hyaluronic acid of varying densities.
Hyaluronic acid infiltrations are used to treat wrinkles based on their location and depth. Depending on the density of the hyaluronic acid, it is also used to treat sagging skin.
- Calcium hydroxyapatite, thread lifts, radiofrequency.
The aim is to stimulate collagen synthesis through different mechanisms to treat sagging skin.
- Lifting facial
In cases of very aged skin with extreme sagging, surgical facelift techniques can be used to restore these skin types.
Related treatments
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Dark Patches prevention
Photodynamic rejuvenation therapy is a major advance in the treatment of skin aging. Not only does it improve the quality of the skin, it also treats precancerous lesions. -
Acne Scars
The Planas clinic treatment starts with an exhaustive dermatological study to determine the type of scar and establish a treatment plan -
Sun damage prevention
A correct diagnosis and combination of treatments will result in a luminous, healthy and rejuvenated skin
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F.A.Q.
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At what age does skin ageing begin?
From the moment we are born, external factors begin to have a cumulative effect on our skin. From puberty, these signs might start to emerge, influenced by both genetic predispositions and the level of exposure to skin-aging accelerators, which will be explained below.
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What factors accelerate skin ageing?
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Multiple factors have been identified as causing and accelerating skin ageing. The most noteworthy are:
- An unhealthy diet
- Intrinsic factors (individual genetics)
- Ultraviolet radiation
- Tobacco consumption
- Environmental toxins
- Electromagnetic radiation (in high doses)
- Sleep apnoea or not getting enough sleep
- Stress
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Multiple factors have been identified as causing and accelerating skin ageing. The most noteworthy are:
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How can I prevent skin ageing?
There are several beneficial habits to prevent our skin from deteriorating prematurely:
- Use sunscreen every day in ever season.
- Avoid tobacco consumption.
- Follow a healthy and balanced diet, avoiding ultra-processed foods.
- Respect your circadian rhythm (go to bed early and get enough sleep).
- Cease screen time at least two hours before going to bed.
- Treat possible sleep apnoea.
- Learning to manage and reduce stress.
- In some cases, it may be beneficial to supplement with adaptogens, including ashwagandha, rhodiola and saffron.
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How can you improve the appearance of ageing skin?
When combined with plastic and regenerative surgery, integrative and aesthetic dermatology are part of a wide range of treatments that can help improve our skin’s appearance and health:
- Cosmetic treatments
- Oral consumption of antioxidants
- Facial treatments such as peelings, light therapy, photodynamic therapy, or laser technology.
- Infiltrations of facial fillers or neuromodulators.
- Treatments for sagging skin such as calcium hydroxyapatite or thread lifts.
- Surgical options, facelifts or FaceTite.
- Study and improve lifestyle factors that affect ageing. In other words, diet, physical exercise, avoiding environmental toxins, following a natural circadian rhythm, and managing stress appropriately.
Expert opinion
For me, it is important to treat skin ageing in depth, because visible wrinkles, spots and sagging are just the tip of the iceberg. Atypical cells may be present, which if left untreated may develop into skin cancer. Consequently, as we are fostering a healthier and more attractive skin, we are also contributing to skin cancer prevention.
