What Happens When Our Skin Ages
Everything You Need to Know About the Process of Aging
It's no secret that we are all going to grow old one day, one of the most apparent and noticeable signs of aging is the condition of our skin.
Very often, a lot of people start dealing with this process too late, and they try to cover up the signs of aging that have already occurred. But isn't prevention better than dealing with the consequences? Understanding the process of aging is an essential step in trying to ensure that the skin doesn't age any faster than it naturally needs to.
This might sound a little bit depressing, but your skin starts to age as soon as you are born. But that is definitely not something to be worried about. We usually start thinking and worrying about the process of aging once the signs of aging start showing (fine lines, dullness, spots, wrinkles, and loose texture). The cause of these visible signs of aging is rather complicated, and it is affected by your genetics and the mix of your lifestyle and environment. But it also depends on your age. Here is the breakdown of the aging process based on your age.
In your 20’s…
As early as our 20s, environmental damage, unhealthy and careless lifestyle habits, and constant UV exposure begin compromising the skin's structural integrity. The skin's natural ability to fight off skin damage declines and the skin's cell defenses start to give in to free radicals. Turnover rates of the cell renewal also naturally start to slow down, which diminishes the skin radiance, and gives the skin that dull and a bit of a lifeless look.
In your 30’s…
In our 30s, elastin (which keeps skin bouncing back) and collagen (which keeps skin firm) start to degrade, which results in visible wrinkles and fine lines in the skin. Cell renewal and turnover are still on the decline, which leads to an uneven skin tone and a duller skin complexion. Some skin cells can also become inactive (these skin cells are called "zombies" in the skincare world). These skin cells accelerate the appearance of the skin that has aged.
In your 40’s…
By the time you hit your big '40' mark, your skin's naturally-protective barrier lipids are not as strong as they used to be, and your skin appears thinner. The skin in our 40s also tends to be dehydrated. A lot of hormonal changes happen during the 40s, and they can cause some unusual activity that can cause uneven skin tone and adult acne. More prominent signs of skin aging tend to appear at this age, and they include dark spots, significant dullness, and deep fine lines, and wrinkles.
In your 50’s…
After we hit the big 50, our skin can feel a weight of it, and it definitely shows signs. The barrier lipid layer lessens, which leads to more potential for sensitivity and dehydration and less efficient moisture retention. Chronic stress and inflammation that can appear inside and outside the body delay skin recovery, which can lead to lasting marks, but it can also prolong the healing time. By your early and mid-50s, your skin is going to show prominent wrinkles, discoloration, and fine lines.