Understanding Skin Ageing: what happens when skin ages | Kosmoderma

Introduction

Our skin is also the first organ to show signs of ailment when anything goes wrong with our body.

You must have noticed how your skin looks pale or unhealthy when you are not feeling well. And, Like everything else, skin is also the first one to show signs of ageing if not taken care. So what happens to it when we say that your skin has started showing signs of age? Let’s find out:

What Is Skin Ageing?

Skin ageing is the natural process where the skin gradually loses elasticity, hydration, and firmness. It is caused by internal factors such as genetics and hormonal changes, and external triggers like sun exposure, pollution, and lifestyle habits. With age, collagen production declines, fat layers shrink, and skin cells regenerate more slowly.

Skin’s structure

Skin by and large has six layers but what really matters to us are the three major layers. The top layer, called the epidermis consists of dead cells with some clumped melanin – the pigment that gives your skin some colour and some germinating cells at the base.

Below the epidermis is the dermis which is the central layer of the skin where you have a mesh of collagen and elastin. Dermis is also where the hair roots, oil glands, sweat glands, and the capillaries that supply blood and take the toxins away, nerve endings and ground substance are located.

Underneath the dermis is the fatty tissue layer which has more blood vessels and a lot of fat that act as cushion to your skin.

Young skin vs old

Look at a baby’s or a young person’s skin, it is round, plump, and soft, and when you touch it, the skin bounces back. There’s spring to it. The skin feels supple and smooth. Funnily, a beautiful skin is often compared to a baby’s bottom or cheeks, because that is soft, supple and has even skin tone.

Healthy young skin will have a smooth texture, and will look and feel hydrated. However, the reality is that skin starts to age with your natural growth process. As you start to grow older the fat pockets under your skin starts to get shrunk and face starts to get thinner.

For most people 20’s is when the skin looks and feels at its best. Teens would have been spent dealing with acne and/or oily skin issues. It is in the 20’s that your skin stabilises and it has a natural clarity and suppleness. However, that changes as you cross your 30’s. The real aging process starts then.

Underneath aging skin

So what really happens in this skin aging process? The first sign of skin aging is that it looks dehydrated. There is pigmentation, dryness, and the pores look larger. You start to notice fine lines and creases. The key sign is that your skin starts to look dull.

There is moisture loss along with uneven sebum production leading to dullness. Sebum, your skin’s natural oil, gives it a glowing clarity. In the second phase the fat in the subcutaneous level starts to shrink. This impacts the bounce and suppleness of the collagen mesh that sits in the dermis. Elastin, the building block of skin also loses its elasticity.

Fine lines and wrinkles are signs that your collagen structure under the skin is collapsing. Weak collagen and elastin means that your skin is no longer taut enough to bounce back naturally, and needs external support to stay youthful.

As you move near your 40’s, the skin cells also stop absorbing moisture efficiently from the body and environment. This causes the skin to look dehydrated and patchy. This is also the time when skin is vulnerable to external pollutants and sun’s destructive rays. The dehydrated skin starts to look pigmented and patchy due to uneven melanin production.

In the natural aging process, skin sagging takes place as you near your 50’s when skin loses all its elasticity. It slackens so that your features start to droop. You notice sagging in the eye lids, mouth, jawline and neck.

Healthy Lifestyle Habits to Maintain Youthful Skin

While you cannot stop skin’s natural aging process, but you can definitely prolong its beauty with the right care. Healthy skin habits like eating fresh fruits, drinking lots of water, avoiding cigarettes and excessive alcohol, and sun exposure keep skin clear and glowing. Along with that a regular skin care regime with cleanser, toner, and moisturiser go a long way in keeping skin young and supple.

But, the aforementioned can only work to an extent and they are usually more effective when used for maintenance or as a side treatment. After a certain age, signs of aging become inevitable. For the lucky ones, the signs come slowly but for most, fine lines, wrinkles and skin sags become very evident. It is for these aging signs that people undergo injectable treatments, fillers or tissue tightening treatments such as HiFu and Ultherapy.

Kosmoderma Skin, Hair & Lasers Clinics are dedicated to medical excellence in the field of Cosmetic Dermatology with international accreditation and facilities.

We offer scientifically proven treatments using US FDA approved technology. All our products have undergone extensive research and trials in USA, Europe and India. We pride ourselves in offering safe, effective and affordable treatments with high standards of quality. Kosmoderma gives personalized consults with skin care and uses facial analyzer and 3D imaging of the skin to analyze and personalize the treatments and skin regimen.

Signs and Symptoms of Aging Skin

The early signs of skin ageing include dullness, dehydration, fine lines, enlarged pores, and uneven pigmentation. Over time, wrinkles deepen, skin sags, and dark spots become more visible. In advanced stages, drooping eyelids, jawline laxity, and patchy skin tone are common.

How to Stop Skin Ageing: Expert Tips and Lifestyle Changes

While it is impossible to stop ageing completely, you can slow down the process. Healthy eating, hydration, sun protection, and avoiding smoking and alcohol are essential. Regular skincare routines with cleansing, moisturising, and sunscreen help maintain youthful skin. Simple lifestyle changes and professional guidance make a significant difference in how to stop skin ageing.

Effective Ageing Skin Treatments Offered at Kosmoderma

Kosmoderma offers a range of effective anti-ageing skin treatments to rejuvenate the skin, including Botox, Dermal Fillers, Chemical Peels, Microneedling, and Laser Skin Resurfacing. These advanced solutions can help reduce wrinkles, restore volume, and improve overall skin texture, supporting a youthful and refreshed appearance.

FAQs

How does lifestyle affect skin ageing?

Poor diet, sun exposure, and smoking can accelerate ageing.

Can skin ageing be stopped completely?

No, but it can be delayed with care and treatments.

How can I reduce my skin ageing?

Using sunscreen, eating well, and considering professional treatments can help reduce the signs of skin ageing.

What is the main cause of skin ageing?

Collagen breakdown and environmental damage are the leading causes of skin ageing.