A Time For Change Magazine - Working Toward Wellness

Skin is the largest organ in the human body and acts as a protective
barrier from the external environment. Th e skin also helps to prevent
moisture loss, regulate body temperature, produce vitamin D, insulate
the body, and provide sensory feedback. Th e skin has three main layers;
epidermis (outer layer), dermis (middle layer), and subcutaneous tissue
(deep layer). Everyone will experience changes to their skin as they age.
In fact, we can see changes in our skin as early as our 20’s.
Th ere are two types of skin aging processes. Intrinsic aging is known
as the natural aging process and occurs due to the passage of time. For
example, as we age, our skin becomes thinner, paler, and fi ne lines or
wrinkles may appear. Extrinsic aging is known as premature aging
because it’s caused by external factors that the body is exposed to in
the environment. External risk factors include smoking, excessive
alcohol consumption, poor nutrition, and prolonged exposure to the
sun. Th e most signifi cant of these external factors is sun exposure.
In fact, approximately 80% of premature facial
aging is due to sun exposure (Uitto, 1997).
The accelerated change to the skin from sun
exposure is known as photo-aging.
As we age, the number of melanocytes located in the
epidermis layer of the skin decreases. Melanocytes
are cells that produce the pigment (i.e., melanin) that
gives the skin its colour and helps protect against the
sun. Th e older we get, the more vulnerable we are to
the sun (due to the reduced melanin) and the more
at risk we are for developing skin cancer and other
skin conditions.
Th e melanocytes that remain as we age can grow
in size and create large coloured spots on the skin
known as lentigo. Th ey typically appear on sun
exposed areas such as the face, ears, and neck.
Th ese large coloured spots may be brown or
black. Th ey’re commonly referred to as “sun spots”
because they appear in people who’ve had long-term
overexposure ov over er erex ex expo po p su sure re to th tthe e su sun (W (Wat (Watkins, at a ki k ns ns, , 20 2011 2011). 11 11). ). )
6
Repeated sun exposure
and sunburns can also damage
the elastin protein located in the
dermis layer of the skin (Watkins, 2011).
When this area of the skin becomes
damaged, it may result in Red Neck
Syndrome (also known as solar elastosis)
which appears as thickened, leathery,
and wrinkled skin, particularly
on the back of the neck.
Protect
THE SKIN YOU’RE IN
PHOTO-AGING IS PREVENTABLE
Unfortunately, Unfo we can’t stop the intrinsic (natural) aging process. However, we can
prevent preve extrinsic (premature) aging by eating healthy, avoiding smoking, limiting
alcohol alcoh consumption, and most importantly, limiting direct sun exposure.
• Avoid the sun between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are the strongest.
• Use sunscreen with Sun Protection Factor (SPF) 15 or higher. Choose sunscreen
with SPF 30 if you plan to be outside for an extended period of time.
• Wear a wide brimmed hat that covers the face, ears, and back of the neck.
• Wear lightweight, loose fitting, tightly woven clothing to cover your arms and legs.
(Canadian Cancer Society, 2012)
Key Ke References
Watkins, W J. (2011). Dermatology diff erential diagnosis aging skin, part 1: Normal aging. Practice Nursing, 22(5), 250-257.
Uitto, Ui J. (1997). Understanding premature skin aging. Th e New England Journal of Medicine, 337(20), 1463-1465.
Canadian Ca Cancer Society. (2012). Reduce your risk of skin cancer. Retrieved from http://www.cancer.ca/
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