Aging Skin and Wrinkles Guidelines

As we age, changes are seen and felt with our skin. The skin is the largest organ of the body and is often subjected to abuses and neglect. Our skin dries out, gets wrinkled, and can become dotted with spots and growths. Our skin tends to heal more slowly and is more easily damaged. Many of these changes are normal and should be expected. As collagen and elastin weaken causing the skin to lose its elasticity. The tendency to wrinkle can be inherited, but other factors cannot be discounted. Excessive exposure to sun and cigarette smoking can also be causes of skin wrinkling.

Some of the damaged caused by the sun is preventable by wearing sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or greater. Some people have reported less skin damage due to sun exposure by applying emu oil before the exposure.

Dry skin can become itchy and have some flaking. People who live in the colder climates often report skin irritation. Products with emu oil and aloe vera have been very helpful in keeping the skin moist.

Older people are more likely to develop seborrheic keratose, brown or black spots and are wart-like. While not being cancerous, they can be unattractive. Another common condition is the outbreak of small bright red spots called cherry angiomas. Over 80% of the older people develop these spots.

After many years of sun exposure begins to manifest itself, various forms of skin cancer devolop. The most common of the skin cancers, basal cell carcinoma, can appear as small bumps on the neck, chest, and head. Another skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, usually develops on the ear, face, lips, and the back of the hands. This type of skin cancer does destroy the normal skin tissues and has been known to spread to internal organs. However, when early detection and treatment is started, both of these cancers have a 95% cure rate.