‘Thinning Skin’ – what is it, and how do we manage it?

If you’ve cared for an older family member, you may have been alarmed at how easily their skin can become damaged. Now, perhaps you are beginning to notice changes to your own skin – a graze where you didn’t expect to see one, or a purplish bruise when you can’t recall having bumped that part of your body. The reasons for skin damage can be serious, and your concerns are always worth checking out with a visit to your GP. However, in many cases, the most common skin changes are simply due to the ageing process. One of these is ‘thin skin,’ a phenomenon in older bodies which is due to several factors.

Our body is continuously producing an oily substance known as ‘sebum.’ Formed in microscopic glands just under the surface of the skin, this protective ‘oil’ moistens our skin and prevents it from becoming too dry. We’re most aware of our sebaceous glands at two specific times of life – when we’re teenagers (and the over-production of oil and associated blockages often result in skin problems), and as we grow older (when the glands are under-producing oil and our skin lacks moisture).

As well as our sebaceous glands becoming less active as we age, older skin is also less able to retain the oil that is produced. The result is our skin dries out more easily. Rough, dry skin can feel uncomfortable and itchy. Because it is more fragile than moist skin, scratching it can create tiny injuries that turn to scabs. Dry skin can also crack and break open which makes the body more prone to infection.

Along with older skin drying out, it also becomes less supple. This is because an older body produces less collagen and elastin – natural proteins which help the ‘stretchiness’ of the skin. These proteins, which are broken down by sun damage, lie just beneath the surface of the skin, providing it with a ‘scaffold’ and helping the skin to remain pliant and flexible. Muscle mass also contributes to keeping skin well supported, but as we age, we tend to lose some of this muscle, and the cushioning it provides.

A loss of subcutaneous protein can result in ‘skin sagging’ and while this, in itself, is unlikely to cause physical health issues, it can affect our morale.

Medications, including the long-term use of corticosteroids (an anti-inflammatory often used to treat diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis) break down collagen. Along with diseases such as diabetes, which affect blood circulation, these factors all contribute to the ‘thinning of the skin.’

Thinning skin may also be related to a drop in energy levels as we grow older. With less energy can come the possibility we neglect hydration and diet. Sufficient water, and vitamins A, C and E, are associated with skin repair, and if they are lacking in our diet, our skin will become thinner. As it does, the tiny blood vessels which run directly beneath it have less protection and are more easily damaged, even from minor knocks. This is why bruising in older skin is more common.

While it may sound grim, thinning skin is not something we need to ‘give in to.’ There are steps we can take to mitigate it, and they are not difficult. They include the following:

·      Daily moisturising with a recommended skin lotion

•      Using mild soaps recommended by your GP

•      Sun protection (including clothing and creams, and staying undercover during the hottest times of the day)

•      Regular exercise to maintain and build muscle mass

•      Ensuring regular hydration and healthy meals that include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables

•      Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol

•      Having regular skin checks

Important: don’t be tempted to add oils to your bath water to help moisturise your skin – if you do, you are increasing the chance of slipping and falling.

Growing older is more reason than ever to attend to skin care as part of your daily wellness routine. Care for your skin, and it will care for you!