As we age, fine lines and wrinkles begin to appear in our skin. But what causes these signs of aging? We asked Forefront and ChatGPT to tell us what dermatologists and the latest research are saying.
The skin consists of three main layers - the epidermis, dermis and hypodermis. In the dermis – the thick middle layer – are proteins like collagen and elastin, which are built as a kind of network that holds nerves, blood vessels, sweat glands and hair roots, giving the skin its strength and elasticity. As we age, the production and quality of these structural proteins decrease, the structure of the dermis becomes less stable and wrinkles appear.
At the same time, enzymes break down collagen and elastin at a higher rate. The upper layer – the epidermis – also thins with age. These changes cause the skin to lose its ability to recover from repetitive movements, such as smiling or squinting – leading to the formation of wrinkles over time.
At the cellular level, aging skin experiences an increase in aging "zombie-like" cells, which release chemicals that damage collagen and elastin. Genetics also play a role – light-skinned people age faster due to genes that affect both pigmentation and structural proteins.
External factors such as sun exposure can also greatly accelerate skin aging. Ultraviolet rays cause inflammation and DNA damage in skin cells, encouraging the development of wrinkles and even the risk of cancer. Air pollution, cigarette smoking, and lack of antioxidants from the diet can also cause oxidative stress to speed up the formation of wrinkles.
Despite the inevitable nature of wrinkles, protecting the skin from sun damage and pollution, avoiding unhealthy habits like smoking, and maintaining a healthy diet may help slow their appearance somewhat. Total skin aging is a complex interplay between internal and external influences on our largest organ.
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