Why does your skin dry out at 64?

The skin, like a spacesuit, protects a person from the effects of wind and sun, and is involved in the thermoregulation of the body. Over the years, the body becomes severely dehydrated, which is reflected in the skin. If a person had oily skin in his youth, then in old age it can become dry.

Dry skin is not a very pleasant phenomenon. Since subcutaneous fat disappears over time, the body’s protective function is also weakened, redness of the skin occurs, an itching sensation, and a network of wrinkles appears.

A person’s appearance, especially the condition of his skin, is a mirror of his lifestyle.

It has negative influences such as:

1. alcohol;
2. smoking;
3. addiction;
4. heredity;
5. environment;
6. stressful situations;
7. ultra-violet rays.

The sun's rays have a strong impact on the condition of the surface layer of the skin. They destroy the most elastic layer of the skin – elastin. The destruction of this layer contributes to the appearance of wrinkles, dark spots, freckles, and sometimes skin cancer.

Age also affects the skin. Over the years, functional changes occur in the functioning of the sweat and sebaceous glands, lipid metabolism and water balance change. As a result, the skin looks dull and dry. Age especially affects the condition of the skin.

Causes of itchy skin and dry skin at 50-55 years old

Nowhere is the aging process more clearly visible than on the skin. During this period, estrogen levels decrease, the skin gradually becomes thinner, and collagen is rapidly destroyed. These symptoms are associated with the onset of menopause in women. Functional changes in the functioning of the sebaceous glands and imbalance of water balance lead to dry skin, the formation of folds, especially in the face and hands, and sometimes to itching.

All these changes reduce the barrier to penetration of various infections. Therefore, increased dryness, inflammatory processes on the skin, and increasing itching may be signs of the initial stage of the disease:

With hyperkeratosis, a rash in the form of red acne is observed, the skin looks rough and unhealthy. Eczema is characterized by severe redness, dryness, constant itching and flaking. The formation of light and brownish skin scales and cracking are signs of ichthyosis.

Itchy skin in older people

Physiological processes during aging of the body affect changes in all layers of the skin, which entails dryness, itching, and redness. As a rule, these signs do not pose a strong threat, but the person feels discomfort and suffers from it.

Sometimes itching at this age can be caused by various diseases, both internal and external.

1. Allergy.
2. Atopic dermatitis.
3. Hives.
4. Candidiasis (skin fungus infection).
5. Scabies when infected with parasites, such as scabies mites.
6. Age-related or senile itching, especially on the forearms and legs.
7. Kidney and liver diseases.
8. Blood diseases.
9. Thyroid diseases.

Older men are more susceptible to senile itching, which occurs more often at night. Its danger lies in the fact that constant scratching can cause infections.

Seeing a doctor is necessary if:

1. itching occurs for an unusually long time, for no apparent reason;
2. fatigue, overwork, fever appears;
3. there are visible skin changes.

Treatment of dry skin and itching

First of all, the causes affecting dry skin are determined. If they are not pathological, antihistamines and ointments are prescribed to relieve redness and itching. If necessary, tranquilizers may be prescribed.

A doctor may prescribe soothing baths with warm water, but without the use of various gels. You can use alcohol-free moisturizing lotions after showering.

For severe itching of the skin, you can apply a wet compress with natural yogurt or a weak solution of vinegar. Compresses with menthol also help well.

In winter, it is recommended to protect the skin with special creams, in the summer, use skin moisturizers and wear clothes made of light, breathable fabrics.

Prevention

The skin may also suffer from a lack of certain vitamins:

1. vitamin A, which is responsible for the creation of subcutaneous fat;
2. vitamin C, responsible for collagen and hyaluronic acid in the body;
3. vitamin E, which affects free radicals.

Vitamin A is usually found in red, yellow and green vegetables. Parsley, citrus fruits, rose hips, black currants, and sea buckthorn are rich in vitamin C, and vitamin E can be found in vegetable oils, carrots, beef, and offal.

To remove flakes of dry skin and soften it, it is good to use olive oil, coconut oil, sandalwood or creams that contain them.

Soap without alcohol and perfume additives, with a low pH value, is suitable for hand skin.

Daily and thorough skin care will help preserve its natural softness and beauty for a long time.

Any age loose skin and face, which looks like a baked apple, looks very unpleasant and can become a serious psychological problem. Why is it that at 60 years old, some women look younger than their age, while others get upset every time they see their reflection in the mirror - an old woman with a wrinkled face and saggy, loose skin?

Gerontologists are confident how quickly and in what type there will be grow old man, is directly related to our skin type, which we inherited from our ancestors. Therefore, if you are already 30 years old, it’s time to pay attention to what your mother looks like at 50-60 years old. If she has smooth skin on her face and no deep wrinkles, then there is a high probability that you will look just as young at her age. Conversely, if your mother has loose skin and a face covered with wrinkles, then this is a serious reason for you to immediately begin taking effective measures to prevent premature skin aging.

External signs of aging appear in women over 60 years old differently and depend on individual skin characteristics and morphology. It is customary to distinguish 4 morphotypes of aging:

1. Fine wrinkled type of aging. Most often, this type of aging is reserved for women who are not prone to obesity and have weak subcutaneous fat. Due to the small amount of subcutaneous fat and well-developed muscle tone, the finely wrinkled type does not have a very pronounced downward displacement of facial tissues and does not have a double chin.

Their skin is dry and thin, the dominant feature is numerous crow's feet in the corners of the eyes, small wrinkles on the face and neck, “corrugation” in the area of ​​the upper lip and chin. Wrinkles on the face of women of this type of aging appear early, and by the age of 70 their face may already resemble a wrinkled baked apple. To prevent this, if you have a finely wrinkled face type, you need to pay a lot of attention to restoring the skin’s protective barrier, nourishing it and moisturizing it.

2. Tired type of aging. This type of aging is typical for women with normal and combination skin, thin or normal build. In the morning such a face looks fresh and young, and in the evening it looks sad and sad. As representatives of this skin type get tired, bags under the eyes and nasolabial folds appear. From about 35 years of age, cosmetologists evaluate the skin condition as a “tired face.” Such a face looks haggard, the skin has a dull color, wrinkles appear between the eyebrows and in the eye area, the corners of the mouth are drooping, and the nasolabial folds are pronounced.

To cope with changes in the skin of a tired face, you must always sleep at least 8 hours a day and provide your skin with balanced care, including moisturizing, cleansing and toning. Cosmetologists often recommend hyaluronic acid injections for women with tired aging to remove nasolabial folds and wrinkles around the mouth.

3. Deformation type of aging. The deformational type of aging is the lot of women with a thick build, oily or combination skin, a full face and well-developed subcutaneous fat. With this type of aging, there is deformation of the lower part of the face and general swelling, and there may be almost no wrinkles. The cheeks of people with the deformation type of aging are similar to those of a bulldog; they are more prone to inflammation and acne on the skin than other types due to impaired venous outflow.

To prevent early skin aging, people with bulldog cheeks must first of all follow a diet and lose weight. The more extra pounds they carry, the more pronounced the signs of aging. To care for their facial skin, they need to regularly use cosmetics containing components that strengthen the vascular wall and improve microcirculation. Of the salon procedures for the deformation type, lymphatic drainage massage and other procedures aimed at reducing swelling and correcting the oval of the face are especially effective.

4. Muscular type of aging. Ladies with the muscular type of aging are the lucky ones. They inherited from their parents developed facial muscles and weak subcutaneous fat, which allows them to look younger than their age even at 60 years old. Their facial skin remains elastic for a long time, fine wrinkles on their face are practically absent, and the clear oval of their face remains until late old age.

However, completely to avoid They also fail to achieve natural skin aging, although the aging process in muscular people occurs much later. After 70 years, literally in 1-2 years their muscles also weaken, resulting in accelerated aging, which is often manifested by drooping of the upper eyelid and the appearance of large, deep wrinkles on the face.

Cheerful happy face with admiring eyes makes any woman look younger than her age. Don't be afraid of your age and calmly perceive your reflection in the mirror. As soon as a woman begins to hide her real age and gets upset when she sees her wrinkled face in the mirror, she instantly ages. Rejoice in the years you have lived and share your worldly wisdom with others. After all, a person is programmed for a minimum of 125 years of life, which means that at 60 years old you are still only in the middle of life. Love life and don't be afraid of your age.

Video of a technique for assessing a patient’s skin condition

— Return to section table of contents "Dermatology"

Some people encounter this problem exclusively in the winter months, while others are forced to struggle constantly. Why does the skin on the face and body dry, how can it be helped, and does treatment depend on the causes of dryness?

Dry skin: how it is expressed and why it is dangerous

Under high magnification, such skin resembles a desert, cracked by the scorching sun. On the surface there is a whole army of enemies - keratinized scales that interfere with healthy breathing and cell renewal. Hence the complete disappointment in the mirror: a dull, grayish complexion, instead of elasticity and softness - a feeling of a stretched mask, small wrinkles, peeling, redness and itching.

Makeup doesn’t help either, because decorative cosmetics don’t stick well, getting stuck in tiny cracks. The skin needs help. But first you need to figure out why it dries.

The glands are responsible for the natural hydration of the skin. The sweat and sebaceous glands secrete a secret that covers the face with a thin water-lipid film. Its layer is equal to six microns - the human eye cannot see it. Essentially, it is a natural cream rich in omega-3 fatty acids. When your own water-lipid layer becomes thinner, the skin begins to suffer from a lack of hydration. There are many factors that are responsible for the reduction of natural fat film. Some of them are the consequences of external influences. Some are due to various changes in the functioning of the body.

Causes of the problem

Typically, women rush to stock up on tons of moisturizers without thinking about the sources of the problem. However, without “working on mistakes,” all cosmetic tricks will give only temporary results. If your skin is dry, you must first find out the reasons.

Impact of natural factors

1. The main enemy of youth and health is ultraviolet. In medicine, there is even the term “photoaging,” which refers to a set of skin changes under the sun’s rays.

Sunbathing and solarium are the most stressful factors for skin, especially prone to dryness. Excessive tanning leads to serious changes in the epidermis and also affects deeper layers.

From prolonged exposure to the sun, the skin becomes even drier, loses elasticity, vitality, and quickly fades. It is no coincidence that those areas of the body that are rarely hit by rays (for example, in the crook of the arms, in the armpit) are distinguished by tenderness, softness and elasticity.

1. Frost and wind - another external enemy of the skin, depriving it of necessary moisture. They are dangerous for the skin of the face, as well as for the delicate skin of the lips. Chapped lips do not paint their owner; moreover, small cracks contribute to infection. The negative impact of external factors (wind, cold, sun) on the hands is aggravated by another factor - frequent washing with alkaline soap: skin deprived of natural protection can not only dry out, but also crack and bleed.

1. Unfavorable environment affects the entire body. The skin is forced to take the brunt of the impact - endless car exhaust, harmful emissions from factories, and tap water saturated with heavy metals. It is not surprising that its defense mechanism weakens under the constant influence of negative environmental factors of the metropolis.

The annoying consequences are dryness, redness, irritation, and peeling. Of course, the ideal solution would be to live in the lap of nature, but such a radical option is difficult for most women to implement. Cosmetics rich in antioxidants and regular restorative procedures from a cosmetologist will come to the rescue: mesotherapy, plasma lifting, biorevitalization.

1. During the heating season, the main cause of skin problems is dry air. Discomfort is noted even by women with normal and mixed skin types, who do not complain of tightness and flaking at other times of the year. The air is deprived of life-giving moisture by central heating radiators, heaters, and air conditioners. The skin responds to water deficiency with dryness and irritability. The “air” factor can also be easily calculated by the dryness of the mucous membranes. If it is impossible to refuse the use of heaters and air conditioners, the problem can be solved using a humidifier or “grandmother’s” methods in the form of water containers placed around the room, wet sheets, etc.

Improper skin care

Passion for cosmetics, especially those containing aggressive chemical components, can lead to dry skin. These are all kinds of soaps, shower gels, scrubs and exfoliating washes, peelings, alcohol lotions, which are available in the arsenal of many women. They thoroughly wash away not only dirt, but also the invisible protective layer of natural lipids.

Some research in the field of cosmetology suggests that moisturizing creams with glycerin, lanolin and petroleum jelly dry out normal skin. In theory, these substances should retain fluid in the skin. But in an overly dry room or an arid natural climate, the components draw water from the deep layers of the dermis and promote its evaporation. Therefore, the use of such a product turns into a real addiction: you need to apply it again and again. Many women have noted this effect, in particular with their hand cream.

A mandatory rule is to wash off decorative cosmetics before going to bed. Leaving makeup on overnight worsens the condition of dry skin, causing irritation.

1. Bad for the skin hot water and long baths. It seems that a warming shower and bath are the best thing you can come up with during the cold season. Only these procedures actively wash away the thinnest water-lipid layer of the epidermis. The solution is to lower the water temperature and reduce the time spent in the bathroom. After water procedures, be sure to moisturize your face and body with creams, lotions or oil.

1. The skin on tireless female hands can dry out from use. detergents for washing, cleaning, dishwashing and other household chemicalscontaining surfactants in high concentration. Regular household gloves will help protect your hands. It is advisable to apply a protective cream underneath. If possible, it is worth replacing aggressive “chemicals” with more environmentally friendly detergents and cleaning products.
2. Sea water or chlorinated tap water, pool sessions can literally dry out the skin of the entire body. When swimming in the sea or pool, it is better not to immerse your face in the water. After swimming, be sure to rinse in the shower and apply moisturizer to your face and body. At the beach, don’t forget to reapply sunscreen after swimming. If tap water is of poor quality, it is worthwhile to install filters on taps if possible.

Internal reasons

1. Improper drinking regime - an internal problem. Often, women include soups, juices, tea and coffee, even juicy fruits in their daily fluid intake. This is not true. The body, including the epidermis, needs ordinary water, in a volume of two liters (in the absence of medical contraindications). Dehydration as a result of uncontrolled use of diuretics or laxatives (widely used for weight loss) can also lead to dry skin.
2. Leads to an undesirable effect poor nutrition: on the one hand, with an excess of salty, spicy and sweet foods, on the other hand, with a deficiency of substances beneficial to the skin. Female beauty especially suffers from a lack of fatty acids, vitamins A, C and E, and a number of microelements in the diet. If the skin is not nourished from the inside, then all external cosmetic methods will not have the desired effect.

1. Bad habits - smoking and alcohol abuse - will definitely affect your appearance. In women who lead an unhealthy lifestyle, the skin is not just dry, but also rough, and deep wrinkles appear on it much earlier than the age norm.
2. Excessively dry, flaky, irritated skin may indicate some kind of illness or hormonal imbalance (for example, during pregnancy or lactation). The symptom will disappear only when the doctor makes a diagnosis and cures the underlying disease, or when the hormonal balance improves.

How to help dry skin

Dry skin needs hydration and nutrition, and comprehensive one - both outside and inside.

1. For beautiful and healthy skin, you need to drink at least two liters of clean still water daily;
2. Nutrition should be balanced and varied, rich in vitamins and fatty acids.
3. Alcohol and tobacco are prohibited, coffee, tea, salty and sweet foods are limited. This recommendation will help normal blood circulation, maintain water balance and, as a result, eliminate dry skin;
4. Special vitamin and mineral complexes will help restore beauty to the epidermis. Many pharmaceutical companies produce products aimed specifically at improving skin health;

1. It is necessary to moisturize the skin with cosmetics: thicker texture, intense - in winter, light and airy - in summer;
2. Replace soap with a more gentle cleanser containing moisturizing ingredients;
3. Wash only with warm water;
4. Protect your skin from wind, frost and sun by all possible means.

Oils to combat dry skin

Dry skin needs help to recreate the lost lipid layer. Vegetable oils do this just as well as expensive creams. Since the natural fat film consists mainly of omega-3 unsaturated fatty acids, the oil for moisturizing the skin should be rich in them. Regular sunflower oil will not work in this case. You should stock up on flaxseed, rapeseed or camelina oil - the best cosmetics to combat dry face.

There are many reasons that cause dry skin. Sometimes the body is affected by a whole complex of factors. But all of them can be effectively dealt with, returning your face and body to a beautiful, fresh and healthy appearance.