What is Photoaging?

Believe it or not, the vast majority of the skin's changes related to aging are caused by the sun. The sun causes fine wrinkling like the "crow's feet" seen in this gentleman on the right. Wrinkling caused by the sun can range from lines seen only when the face is in motion to wrinkles seen at rest. Sun damage can culminate in normal smooth skin being completely replaced by wrinkles.

So how does the sun cause wrinkles? Ultraviolet-A but not ultraviolet-B light penetrates deep into the second layer of skin called the dermis, where it destroys the collagen and elastic fibers.

In addition to wrinkling, the sun is responsible for many of the pigment changes that come with aging. Most of these are called lentigos by dermatologists but are more commonly called liver spots. They range from light brown and small to large and quite dark. Rarely a lentigo can become cancerous requiring removal so if you havea brown lesion with multiple colors or enlarging or you have other concerns, see a dermatologist.

Another significant contributor to aging is the loss of fat under the skin. Some of this is due to the sun, but it can also be a part of "normal" aging. Interestingly, people with some conditions like diabetes tend to retain more of their fat under their skin later in life and it can help them appear younger than many of their non-diabetic counterparts.

So these are the basic types of aging, and they can each be treated. I will discuss treatments in detail in future posts, but in a nutshell there are many ways to treat all of them, but an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure so put on that sunscreen.

Have a great 4th of July!