ow does the skin age?
One of the most striking signs of skin aging is the increased wrinkling of the face, neck and the area around the eyes. The formation of wrinkles on the skin is mainly due to the following factors:
• Aging
• Overstimulation of the facial muscles
•Repeated facial expressions
• Environmental factors especially exposure to
• UV radiation (photo-aging).
Aging: occurs naturally over time and is identified by certain biochemical, histological and physical changes. The dermis becomes thinner for two reasons. One is the reduction of the number of fibroblasts, which produce the essential macromolecules of the extra cellular matrix (collagen, elastin, fibronectin etc.).
The second is the reduced synthetic activity of fibroblasts. Facial Expression: When we express our motions, by smiling, frowning, squinting, our subcutaneous muscles contract thousands of times every day. These repeated movements create tension forces that modify the dermis and favour the appearance of expression wrinkles, especially in the forehead, above the mouth and around the eyes.
Photo-Aging: Exposure to solar Ultra Violet radiation is a well-known factor related to the premature aging of the skin and the formation of wrinkles. UV radiation causes oxidative stress in the dermis, resulting in suppression of the immune system of the skin and destruction of fibroblasts which are essential for the integrity of the connective tissue and consequently of the appearance of the skin.
