SKIN AGING EXPLAINED
Skin aging process: scientific approach
Skin aging is a gradual process perceived by changes in the appearance and texture of the skin.
These changes are a consequence of the passing of time (chronoaging or intrinsic aging), exposure to solar radiation (photoaging), lifestyle and other
environmental or external factors. Thus, skin aging does not always match the chronological age, but reflects the skin’s biological age.
Skin aging can be classified in 4 degrees that gradually reflect the intensity of the epidermal and dermal damage.
STAGE I
– Increase in oxidative processes and the action of free radicals.
– Increase in the loss of transepidermal water and reduction of amino acid and protein levels.
– Weakening of the cell barrier.
– Increase in skin opacity.
– First expression lines.
– Fine wrinkles.
STAGE II
– Reduction in the capacity of fibroblasts synthtesis, that results in a reduction of collagen fibres and elastin levels.
– Reduction in the quantity and quality of the skin structural elements which are part of the support structure of the dermis (fundamental substance)
– Reduction of the dermis thickness that results in a loss of skin firmness.
– Increase of deeper wrinkles.
STAGE III
– Reduction of the number of cells in a maturation stage which are responsible the skin structures (slowing down of cell renewal).
– Loss of efficacy of the metabolic processes which influences normal skin deterioration.
– Deterioration of the external epidermis layers and reduction of the quality of the skin support tissue.
– Gradual decrease of skin elasticity together with lack of firmness.
– Deep wrinkles.
STAGE IV
– Destructuring of intercellular junctions of the external skin layers.
– Reduction and loss of metabolic function of the oil and sweat glands.
– Hyperkeratination of the stratum corneum (rough to touch).
– Loss of definition of the facial contour.
– Increase in skin fragility.
– Very deep wrinkles.