Skin changes are a natural part of getting older. Lines develop, skin can become drier or less firm, and the face we see in the mirror gradually changes.
That doesn’t mean there’s nothing you can do. Understanding why your skin changes can help you look after it well and decide which changes you’re happy to embrace and which, if any, you’d like to soften.
If you’ve been asking, “How can I improve my skin as I get older?”, this guide is a good place to start.
What are the signs of skin ageing?
No two people age in exactly the same way, but you may notice changes such as:
- Fine lines and wrinkles, particularly around expressive areas such as the eyes and mouth
- Loss of firmness, which can contribute to changes around the jawline, cheeks and neck
- Thinner or more crepey-looking skin
- Changes in pigmentation, including areas commonly known as age or sun spots
- Dryness or rougher texture
- More visible redness or small blood vessels
- Loss of volume, which can gradually change the contours and proportions of the face
Some changes happen because of the natural ageing process, while others are influenced by factors such as sun exposure and lifestyle. Usually, it’s a combination of the two.
Why does our skin change as we get older?
Skin ageing is often divided into two types: intrinsic ageing and extrinsic ageing.
Intrinsic ageing describes the changes that happen naturally with time and are influenced by factors such as our genetics and hormones. We can’t stop these processes, and they’re part of normal ageing.
Extrinsic ageing is influenced by external factors. Cumulative exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun is particularly important, while smoking and other environmental and lifestyle factors can also affect how the skin looks and ages.
Understanding what’s behind some of these changes can make it easier to work out what your skin needs.
Collagen changes as we age
Collagen is one of the main structural proteins in the skin. You can think of it as part of the framework that gives skin its strength and support.
As we get older, the amount and organisation of collagen in the skin gradually change. Combined with changes in other components of the skin, this contributes to the development of lines and a gradual loss of firmness.
For women, these changes can become particularly noticeable around menopause.
Falling oestrogen levels are associated with accelerated changes in the skin, including collagen loss. Research suggests that women may lose as much as 30% of their skin collagen during the first five years after menopause, although the experience and visible effects vary considerably from person to person.
What happens to elastin and hyaluronic acid?
Collagen isn’t the only thing changing.
Elastin is another structural protein that helps give skin its ability to stretch and return towards its original shape. Ageing and cumulative UV exposure affect the skin’s elastic fibres, contributing to changes in firmness and texture.
Hyaluronic acid is a substance found naturally within the skin and other parts of the body. It binds water and plays an important role in skin hydration and volume. Levels and distribution within the skin also change as we get older.
Oil production can reduce too, which is one reason mature skin often becomes drier than it was earlier in life.
Together, changes in collagen, elastin, hydration, facial fat, underlying bone and other tissues all contribute to the way our skin and facial contours change over time.
What can you do about skin ageing?
You can’t stop your skin ageing, nor should you feel that you have to.
But there are some simple things you can do to protect your skin and support its appearance as it changes.
Protect your skin from the sun
If you’re going to make one change, make sun protection a priority.
UV exposure contributes significantly to premature skin ageing, including wrinkles, changes in pigmentation and loss of elasticity.
Use appropriate broad-spectrum sun protection on exposed skin and remember that UV exposure is cumulative. Protecting your skin isn’t something that only matters on hot summer holidays.
Find a skincare routine that suits your skin
Your skin’s needs can change as you get older. Products you loved in your 30s may not necessarily be what your skin wants in your 50s or 60s.
A good routine doesn’t have to involve dozens of products. Gentle cleansing, moisturising, sun protection and carefully chosen active skincare may be enough for many people.
In fact, piling on multiple strong products can irritate your skin and leave it looking red, dry or uncomfortable.
Moisturise regularly
As oil production decreases with age, skin can become noticeably drier.
A suitable moisturiser helps reduce water loss from the surface of your skin and can make dry skin feel softer and more comfortable. Well-moisturised skin can also temporarily make fine lines appear less noticeable.
Eat a varied, balanced diet
There isn’t a magic anti-ageing food, but your skin needs a range of nutrients just like the rest of your body.
Fruit and vegetables, protein, wholegrains and sources of unsaturated fats can all contribute to a balanced diet.
You can read more in our guide to a healthy skin diet.
Stay adequately hydrated
Getting enough fluid is important for normal body function, but drinking extra litres of water isn’t a treatment for dry or ageing skin.
Aim to stay adequately hydrated and look after your skin barrier with appropriate skincare and moisturiser too.
Don’t smoke
Smoking is associated with premature skin ageing as well as many more serious effects on health.
If you smoke, stopping is one of the most valuable changes you can make for your overall health as well as your skin.
Look after yourself more broadly
Regular physical activity, sufficient sleep and finding ways to manage stress are all important for your general wellbeing.
You don’t need to think of them as anti-ageing treatments, but looking after yourself as a whole is part of looking after your skin too.
Not every skin change is simply ageing
As you get older, it can be easy to assume that every new mark or change is just another sign of ageing.
However, not every skin change is an aesthetic concern.
If you notice a new or changing mole, a lesion that doesn’t heal, persistent bleeding or another skin change that concerns you, speak to your GP or another appropriate medical professional rather than seeking an aesthetic treatment.
What aesthetic treatments can improve the appearance of ageing skin?
There’s no single treatment for “ageing skin” because the changes you see can have very different causes.
The first question is therefore not Which treatment should I have? but What would I actually like to improve?
If your skin looks dull, rough or uneven
A build-up of dead surface cells and changes in the way your skin renews itself can leave the complexion looking less fresh or smooth.
Professional skincare and exfoliating treatments can help improve the appearance and texture of the skin.
At Medikaur, options include the ZO® Skin Health Red Carpet Peel or Image Skin Peels, while dermaplaning provides physical exfoliation to remove dead surface cells and fine vellus hair for a smoother-looking finish.
The right option will depend on your skin and what you’re hoping to achieve.
If you’re noticing changes in skin texture and firmness
If your main concern is that your skin looks less smooth or firm than it once did, treatments that focus on skin quality may be worth exploring.
Skin needling, also known as microneedling, creates controlled micro-injuries in the skin to stimulate a natural repair response, including collagen production and remodelling. Over time, this can improve the appearance of skin texture, fine lines and firmness.
Profhilo is an injectable hyaluronic acid treatment designed to improve skin hydration and the appearance of skin quality and firmness. Unlike dermal filler, it isn’t used to build facial structure or replace volume.
If you’ve noticed a loss of facial volume or definition
Skin isn’t the only part of the face that changes with age.
Facial fat and underlying bone change too, which can alter the proportions and contours of the face. You might notice changes around your cheeks, chin, jawline, temples or mouth, for example.
Dermal fillers can be used strategically to add volume or structural support in carefully selected areas.
This doesn’t mean trying to recreate the face you had at 25. Subtle treatment can be used to improve balance and definition while respecting the features that make you look like you.
If expression lines are bothering you
Facial expressions are part of what makes your face yours, but repeated muscle movement can contribute to lines becoming more noticeable over time.
There are aesthetic treatment options that can soften the appearance of some expression lines.
Which, if any, treatment is appropriate depends on the area, your facial anatomy and the result you’re hoping to achieve. This can be discussed during your consultation.
Your skin is unique
No two people age in exactly the same way.
Your genes, hormones, facial structure, lifestyle and years of accumulated experiences all contribute to the way your skin and face change.
And people feel very differently about those changes. You may be perfectly happy with some signs of ageing while finding that one particular change bothers you. Or you may simply want your skin to look fresher and well cared for rather than noticeably different.
That’s why we don’t believe in choosing an “anti-ageing” treatment from a list.
At Medikaur, we’ll start by looking at your skin and listening to what you would like to improve. We can then talk through the aesthetic treatments or skincare options that may be appropriate, what they can realistically achieve and whether treatment is worthwhile for you.
If you’d like to understand more about your skin before exploring treatment, you can also read our guide to what skin health is and why it matters.
Book your consultation to talk to us about your skin and what you’d like to change.
