External ageing factors.

Pollution Air pollution is an environmental factor related to premature skin and hair ageing, via the generation of free radicals and cell damage. A recent study comparing women living in urban and rural areas showed a direct link between pollution exposure and skin ageing signs including pigmentation and wrinkles. Research has also linked pollution as a contributing factor to bone loss. Smoking Smoking is another independent skin ageing-inducing environmental factor, and the effect with sun exposure is additive. Many studies have confirmed an association between smoking and premature wrinkling. In vitro studies have also shown that smoking leads to a reduction in collagen and an increase in enzymes involved in the degradation of collagen and elastin. There is also a relationship between smoking and baldness in men, and premature greying of hair. Smoking has also been linked with increased bone loss in post-menopausal women and increased risk of fracture. Diet The role of diet in skin ageing is highly controversial with limited scientific studies. We do however know that the ingestion of sugar promotes cross-linking of collagen fibres through a process known as glycation, leading to the production of tissue-destroying advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Grilling, frying or roasting produce high levels of AGEs compared with cooking processes such as steaming. Exercise Like diet, there is limited scientific data on the effect of exercise on skin ageing. However, a recent study by Tarnopolsky and his colleagues looked at the effects of exercise on the skin of volunteers aged between 20 and 86. The study had 2 groups: one exercising for less than an hour per week, and one doing at least 4 hours of high-intensity aerobic exercise each week. A skin sample taken from each volunteer’s sun-protected buttock skin demonstrated that those who exercised frequently (even those over 65) had skin closer in composition to those of 20-30 year olds. Furthermore, exercise has also been shown to improve bone mass in the spine of post-menopausal women over 50. Sleep Unfortunately short sleep duration has become increasingly common in modern society. Poor quality sleepers have higher intrinsic ageing scores than good quality sleepers. Poor sleepers also have reduced skin barrier function and lower satisfaction with their appearance. Bad sleep quality in older people is also associated with reduction in muscle mass and function, and reduced bone mineral density. Dental hygiene and care The teeth support the lower third of the face, and over time that support begins to collapse if there is loss of teeth, which is frequently associated with periodontal disease. Tooth loss has a significant effect on the underlying skeletal proportions of the face, and along with fat loss leads to the formation of wrinkles and hollow cheeks, and affects the muscles of the lower face which must compensate for the absence of teeth by contracting. Stress Chronic stress results in activation of pathways which results in immune dysfunction, increased production of free radicals and DNA damage. Chronic psychological stress is also associated with bone loss. Hormones For women, decrease in oestrogen during menopause is associated with increased skin dryness, and decreased skin elasticity, dermal thickness and collagen content. Although several studies have shown that hormone replacement therapy can improve skin quality, much of the evidence is controversial. The reduction in oestrogen levels with age also increases bone resorption. Furthermore, a low dietary intake of Vitamin D and calcium hastens bone loss and osteoporosis. Reference: Saluja SS and Fani SG. A Holistic Approach to Antiaging as an Adjunct to Antiaging Procedures: A Review of the Literature.  Dermatologic Surgery 2017;43:475-484.

External ageing factors.

Pollution

Air pollution is an environmental factor related to premature skin and hair ageing, via the generation of free radicals and cell damage. A recent study comparing women living in urban and rural areas showed a direct link between pollution exposure and skin ageing signs including pigmentation and wrinkles. Research has also linked pollution as a contributing factor to bone loss.

Smoking

Smoking is another independent skin ageing-inducing environmental factor, and the effect with sun exposure is additive. Many studies have confirmed an association between smoking and premature wrinkling. In vitro studies have also shown that smoking leads to a reduction in collagen and an increase in enzymes involved in the degradation of collagen and elastin. There is also a relationship between smoking and baldness in men, and premature greying of hair. Smoking has also been linked with increased bone loss in post-menopausal women and increased risk of fracture.

Diet

The role of diet in skin ageing is highly controversial with limited scientific studies. We do however know that the ingestion of sugar promotes cross-linking of collagen fibres through a process known as glycation, leading to the production of tissue-destroying advanced glycation end products (AGEs). Grilling, frying or roasting produce high levels of AGEs compared with cooking processes such as steaming.

Exercise

Like diet, there is limited scientific data on the effect of exercise on skin ageing. However, a recent study by Tarnopolsky and his colleagues looked at the effects of exercise on the skin of volunteers aged between 20 and 86. The study had 2 groups: one exercising for less than an hour per week, and one doing at least 4 hours of high-intensity aerobic exercise each week. A skin sample taken from each volunteer’s sun-protected buttock skin demonstrated that those who exercised frequently (even those over 65) had skin closer in composition to those of 20-30 year olds. Furthermore, exercise has also been shown to improve bone mass in the spine of post-menopausal women over 50.

Sleep

Unfortunately short sleep duration has become increasingly common in modern society. Poor quality sleepers have higher intrinsic ageing scores than good quality sleepers. Poor sleepers also have reduced skin barrier function and lower satisfaction with their appearance. Bad sleep quality in older people is also associated with reduction in muscle mass and function, and reduced bone mineral density.

Dental hygiene and care

The teeth support the lower third of the face, and over time that support begins to collapse if there is loss of teeth, which is frequently associated with periodontal disease. Tooth loss has a significant effect on the underlying skeletal proportions of the face, and along with fat loss leads to the formation of wrinkles and hollow cheeks, and affects the muscles of the lower face which must compensate for the absence of teeth by contracting.

Stress

Chronic stress results in activation of pathways which results in immune dysfunction, increased production of free radicals and DNA damage. Chronic psychological stress is also associated with bone loss.

Hormones

For women, decrease in oestrogen during menopause is associated with increased skin dryness, and decreased skin elasticity, dermal thickness and collagen content. Although several studies have shown that hormone replacement therapy can improve skin quality, much of the evidence is controversial. The reduction in oestrogen levels with age also increases bone resorption. Furthermore, a low dietary intake of Vitamin D and calcium hastens bone loss and osteoporosis.

Reference: Saluja SS and Fani SG. A Holistic Approach to Antiaging as an Adjunct to Antiaging Procedures: A Review of the Literature.  Dermatologic Surgery 2017;43:475-484.