How & why our face changes
How and why does the skin change?
As we age the skin undergoes visible changes such as irregular pigmentation, increased pore size, sun damage and loss of elasticity. Natural substances such as collagen (the major structural protein in the skin), elastin (the protein causes tissue to stretch) and hyaluronic acid (which gives the skin volume) all decrease as we get older. These changes are caused by both intrinsic (internal to the body) and extrinsic (external to the body) factors. Skin cell damage and degeneration can be caused by chronological and genetic processes as well as by cumulative environmental damage, such as that caused by years of exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. The pursuit of a suntan is now known to be a major cause of damage to the skin. Also known as photoageing, it is believed to be responsible for almost 80% of the skin changes commonly attributed to the ageing process.
Other environmental factors, including cigarette smoke and pollution, may hasten ageing by producing free radicals. In large amounts, free radicals can damage cell membranes and interact with genetic material, possibly contributing to the development of a number of skin disorders, including wrinkles and, more importantly, skin cancer.
How and why do wrinkles form?
Many wrinkles occur when we use our muscles to form facial expressions. The wrinkles formed during these expressions are called dynamic wrinkles. For example, when we smile our eye wrinkles become prominent and when we frown the vertical lines between our eyebrows become noticeable.
When we are younger skin springs back to its initial position, but as we get older dynamic wrinkles remain on the skin to form static wrinkles; these are the wrinkles and folds that are present at rest. This process occurs because natural substances such as collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, that provide the skin with structure and volume, decrease with age. This, together with environmental factors such as exposure to sunlight, smoking and stress, all contribute to the creation of wrinkles and folds.
How do lips change with age?
The lips in particular have an extremely thin outer layer, which becomes progressively thinner as the body ages. Over time the corners of the mouth can begin to droop, the V-shaped area of the upper lips known as the Cupids Bow begins to flatten out and our lips lose their youthful fullness. Vertical lip lines can also begin to appear, causing your lipstick to bleed.
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