Healthy Aging Series: BODY

Skin Deep: Facts and Tips for Keeping Skin Healthy

We have always been told to take care of our skin. From applying enough sunscreen to making sure we moisturize, the various steps of proper skin care seem never-ending. However, as seniors, there are a few crucial steps for keeping skin healthy as well as for taking care of common ailments.

The National Institute on Aging states that six prevalent skin conditions in elders are:

• Wrinkles, which can be caused by the sun’s ultraviolet rays, cigarette smoke and stress.
• Dry skin and itching. Dry skin is brought on by the amount of humidity in the air, the loss of sweat and oil glands as you age, overuse of soaps or perfumes and other various external factors.
• Skin cancer
• Age spots that are caused by sun exposure.
• Shingles, which is an eruption of a rash or blisters that may cause severe pain. This condition is caused by the same virus as chickenpox.
• Bruising. This is due to the fact that skin becomes more delicate during the aging process through loss of fat and connective tissue that supports blood vessels.

It is essential to check your skin frequently, as skin cancer is often seen in elders. Although there is a common occurrence of skin cancer in older adults, SkinCancerNet states that skin cancer has a 95 percent cure rate if detected early. While examining your skin watch for any changes in size, color, shape or texture of existing spots such as moles or birthmarks.

There are various approaches to keeping skin healthy. Five techniques listed by the NIA include:

• Staying out of the sun.
• Using sunscreen.
• Wearing protective clothing.
• Avoiding artificial tanning.
• Checking your skin often.

It is also important to moisturize skin properly. Lotions, creams and ointments are always good choices for treating dry skin. Using mild soaps, a humidifier and warm water instead of hot are also beneficial methods for keeping skin in good condition.

For more information on how to keep skin healthy and treat existing issues visit www.niapublications.org/agepages/skin or www.skincarephysicians.com/skincancernet and contact your physician.