Truth be told, even Gollum’s skin would age. Now, Count Dracula, no, but that’s whole different story.
People don’t know but there are two types of aging affecting their skin intrinsic and extrinsic aging. Here’s little background on the skin and these effects of aging.
Ah, the sweet smell of youth
Everyone has great skin when they’re young. Young skin is supple, yet firm. The skin’s epidermis (the outer layer) is smooth and acts as a good barrier to water and environmental damage. The skin’s color and tone is even. There aren’t any pigmentation issues.
In our younger days, the skin’s support system is strong. Collagen, which provides the skin’s firmness and underlying support structure; elastin, which gives the skin elasticity and rebound; and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), which keep the skin hydrated, are all abundant.
Two paths to aging
And then the wrinkles begin to show up. It’s not all from those days out at the lake or the beach, either. There are two types of aging causing the wrinkling and other signs of the times intrinsic and extrinsic.
Intrinsic aging This aging is just that, aging. It happens no matter if you are outdoors all the time or are roommates with Gollum down in the cave. After your 20th birthday, you produce one percent less collagen in your skin each year. This makes the skin thinner and more fragile with the passing years. Add that decrease up as you hit 40 or 50! Your sweat and oil glands also slow their function, and elastin and GAGs drop as well. Intrinsic aging is inevitable, but it isn’t the main cause of wrinkles.
Extrinsic aging The “ex” in extrinsic gives you a clue about the basis of this type of aging. It occurs due to exposure exposure to sun and environmental damage (smoking or exposure to pollution, among others). What was even-toned, supple skin changes. Extrinsic aging brings about a thickening of the outer layer of the skin. Precancerous growths, skin cancers, and freckles and sun spots all start to show up, depending especially on your amount of sun exposure. This exposure also causes an exaggerated loss of collagen, elastin, and GAGs, as if all the other stuff wasn’t enough!
All of these factors team up to give your skin a rough appearance, uneven tone, brown patches, sagging skin, and deep wrinkles.
That’s where the team at Northcoast Laser Cosmetics can help. From our procedures such as laser skin resurfacing or chemical peels to dermal fillers and Botox, we’ll help you fight the effects of aging. Call us at 440- NEW-FACE and let’s talk about your options.