Photoaging vs. Aging: What’s the Difference?

Monday, August 15th, 2011

Skin, like all parts of the body, undergoes age-related changes over time. But unlike other organs, skin also is affected by direct contact with the environment, in particular, UV radiation from the sun and indoor tanning devices.

While some people feel that exposure to the sun gives their skin a “healthy” color, dermatologists believe otherwise. Without proper protection, repeated exposure to the sun for even a few minutes a day can lead to unwanted changes in the skin’s appearance, texture and health.

How do you tell whether the changes in your skin are the result of natural aging or photoaging? See the charts below for answers.*

Aging Skin

• Fine wrinkles
• Thin and transparent skin
• Loss of underlying fat, leading to hollowed cheeks and eye sockets as well as noticeable loss of firmness on the hands and neck
• Bones shrink away from the skin due to bone loss, which causes sagging skin
• Dry skin that may itch
• Inability to sweat sufficiently to cool the skin
• Graying hair that eventually turns white
• Hair loss
• Unwanted hair
• Nail plate thins, the half moons disappear, and ridges develops

Photoaging Skin

• Freckles, age or “liver” spots
• Spider veins on the face
• Rough, leathery skin
• Fine wrinkles that disappear when stretched
• Loose skin
• A blotchy complexion
• Actinic keratoses (thick wart-like, rough, reddish patches of skin)
• Loss of ability to spring back due to collagen breakdown and elastin damage
• Increased susceptibility to skin cancer

If you have questions about your skin’s appearance or health, phone 508.535.DERM (3376), to schedule an appointment with one of the Board-certified dermatologists at SSDP.

*With information from http://www.skincarephysicians.com/agingskinnet/basicfacts.html.

Posted in Photoaging, Photoaging and Aging | No Comments »