Essentially there are two types of skin ageing. Intrinsic ageing, which is the natural ageing due to chronological age, and Photoaging which is skin aging due to sun damage.
Ultraviolet light accelerates intrinsic aging with up to 70% of what is consider aging of the skin in Australia being sun damage.
The skin shows a range of signs of photoaging, including:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Irregular pigment spots
- Textural changes
- Thick yellow bumps (due to elastosis or damaged elastic tissue)
- Dry skin
- Thinning of the skin
- Increased risk of sun cancer formation
- White marks (idiopathic guttate hypomelanosis)
- Dilated blood vessels (telangiectasia)
- Blackheads induced by the sun (solar comedomes)
There are simple measures to look after your skin as we age:
- Sun avoidance and sun protection
- Broad-brimmed hat and protective clothing
- Sunscreen application 20 minutes before going out into the sun and then every 2 hours
- Remember sun exposure occurs when you don’t expect it such as driving your car, hanging out washing, and on cloudy days
- Cessation of smoking as this accelerates skin ageing
- Cleanse and moisturise twice per day
Our dermatologists can discuss further options available to best suit your skin type including:
- Topical retinoids and alpha hydroxyl acids which can reduce fine lines and wrinkles and assist in bleaching pigment spots and reducing early sun spots
- Topical bleaching agents eg kojic acid, azelaic acid and hydroquinone