Aging Changes in Skin
Alternate Names : Thinning of Skin, Wrinkles - Aging Changes
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Effect of changes
As you age, you are at increased risk for skin injury. Your skin is thinner, more fragile and the protective subcutaneous fat layer is lost. In addition, your ability to sense touch, pressure, vibration, heat and cold may be reduced. Thus, your aging skin is at higher risk for injury.
Rubbing or pulling on the skin can cause skin tears. Fragile blood vessels are easily broken. Bruises, flat collections of blood (purpura), and raised collections of blood (hematomas) may form after even a minor injury.
This is most easily seen on the outside surface of the forearms, but can occur anywhere on the body. Skin changes and loss of subcutaneous fat, combined with a tendency to be less active, as well as some nutritional deficiencies and other illnesses contribute to pressure ulcers.
Aging skin repairs itself more slowly than younger skin. Wound healing may be up to 4 times slower. This contributes to pressure ulcers and infections. Diabetes mellitus, blood vessel changes, lowered immunity, and similar factors also affect healing.
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