Premature (exogenous) ageing of the skin – destructive skin processes that develop at an accelerated pace due to adverse environmental effects. Among these factors, ultraviolet radiation has the greatest effect on external skin ageing (photo-ageing).
The skin is the body’s first protective barrier and performs many functions:
- Protects organs from mechanical effects
- Protects against temperature and ultraviolet rays
- Prevents the entry of bacteria
- Removes water and metabolic products
- Regulates body temperature, protects us from overheating and cooling
- Participates in the process of water and salt exchange
General skin information:
- Area 1.5-2 m2
- Weight: about 3 kg
- Thickness 0.5-4 mm
Composition:
- Mineral salts – 0.7-1% of skin weight
- Carbohydrates are in the form of glucose, glycogen, mucopolysaccharides (hyaluron, chondroitin sulfate, heparin)
- Dermis proteins consist of collagen (70%), elastin, reticular tissue
- Lipids
Cell elements of the dermis are connective tissue cells:
- Fibroblasts and fibrocytes are the main components of the dermis
- Histiocytes (macrophages) – immune cells
- Mast cells (labrocytes, mast cells) are located in the upper sections of the dermis
- Merkel cells are neuroendocrine large oval-shaped cells, they are found in very sensitive areas of the skin, surrounded by sensory terminals
- Plasma cells, endothelial cells, lymphocytes, neutrophils, etc
The extracellular matrix (ground substance) fills the space between cells and connective tissue fibers. Active metabolic processes take place in the main material.
It has been found that from the age of 25, collagen levels in tissues decrease by 2% every year.
Preservation of fibroblast activity and prophylactic stimulation of collagen is an adequate strategy for the prevention of skin ageing.
How to prevent premature skin ageing?
- Avoid intense solar radiation, use sunscreen cosmetics.
- Start eating healthy (properly selected foods can help stop the development of oxidative stress that damages the skin. By consuming fresh fruits and vegetables, you can replenish your antioxidant and micronutrient reserves).
- Drink plenty of water.
- Proper skin care at home, including exfoliating, toning, moisturising and nourishing.
- Choose professional cosmetic care according to skin type (mesotherapy, biorevitalization, fillers, scrubs, hardware procedures, etc.)
Conclusions: in order to prevent premature ageing of the body, and specifically of the skin, a systemic approach to the body and the external factors affecting it is required. First of all, it is important not to treat the diseases themselves, but to fight the causes of their occurrence.
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