Premature Aging Skin

Meaning, Causes And Treatment

High stress levels and poor lifestyle habits can make you look older than your years. Premature ageing is becoming increasingly common ad anti-ageing treatments are widely available. However, understanding the skin’s anatomy, the causes of ageing, and the treatment options available is crucial for making informed decisions. An expert dermatologist can guide you through advanced solutions to reduce ageing signs and help you maintain a youthful appearance.

What Are The Ageing Issues?

As we age, the natural and biological processes of the body cause changes on the surface of the skin in the form of ageing issues like wrinkles, folds, fine lines, laugh lines, sagging skin, etc.

Some extrinsic, as well as intrinsic factors, lead to ageing. These factors may include changes at the genetic level or influence of environment or external catalysts that accelerate the natural process of ageing. Our skin begins to look tired, dehydrated, saggy, dull, full of lines or deep burrows that make one appear aged.

Causes of Ageing

Primary factors are involved in triggering ageing related issues whereas secondary factors are responsible for accelerating ageing.

  • Sun Exposure

    Chronic exposure to UV light causes structural instability by causing the breakdown of elastin and collagen fibres inside our skin. It results in the appearance of age spots, wrinkles, fine lines and other signs of premature ageing.Read More

  • Smoking

    Smoking accelerates the ageing process and causes premature wrinkles. Tobacco can quicken the natural process of ageing by triggering skin degeneration. Smoking can cause an accumulation of free radicals in the skin, which can damage it and delay its healing mechanisms. It can decrease the capillary blood flow to the skin thus depriving it from oxygen and essential nutrients.Read More

  • Dehydration

    As we age, our skin loses its ability to retain water. If our skin stays dehydrated, it dries out and eventually develops fine lines or wrinkles.

  • Alcohol Consumption

    Excessive intake of alcohol causes nutritional deficiencies and dries out the skin leading to premature ageing.

  • High-Stress Levels

    Prolonged stress can wreak havoc on your skin especially on the face leading to wrinkles, folds or fine lines.

Symptoms and Types

Dull Skin

Reduced cell turnover with age leads to a buildup of dead cells, making skin appear rough and lacklustre.Read More

Uneven Skin Tone

Excess melanin production from sun exposure or hormones causes age spots, melasma, and dark patches, resulting in a patchy complexion.Read More

Wrinkles

UV exposure usually leads to pigmentation and uneven skin tone causing age spots.

Open Pores

Enlarged pores due to collagen loss and excess sebum production become more noticeable with age.Read More

Fine Lines

Early signs of ageing as shallow creases from collagen and elastin breakdown are seen on the forehead, mid-brow, around the mouth, and nose.Read More

Saggy Skin

Loss of collagen and elastin causes loose skin around the eyelids, cheeks, chin, and neck.Read More

Volume Loss

Decreased collagen, bone demineralisation, and fat loss lead to reduced skin volume and suppleness, particularly in the cheeks, neck, and under the eyes.Read More

Diagnosis

Untreated acne may become severe, cause permanent collagen damage and leave behind visible scars on the skin.

Step
Consultation

Consult a dermatologist to identify ageing changes and potential causes.

Step
Examination

A thorough examination will guide the most suitable treatment for your skin type.

Are you at Risk?

  • Prolonged sun exposure

  • Regular smoking or alcohol consumption

  • High-stress levels

Prevention and Management

Sun Protection

Protect your skin from the UVA and UVB rays of the sun by applying sunscreen every day.

Hydration

Make sure to keep yourself hydrated and your skin well-moisturised to prevent dryness.

Inculcate Healthy Lifestyle Habits

Quit smoking and reduce your intake of alcohol to prevent premature ageing.

Consume A Nutrient-Dense Diet

Eat a healthy and balanced diet full of essential nutrients such as Vitamin A that helps in repairing skin tissue, Vitamin E that keeps skin healthy and Vitamin C that helps in preventing age spots.Read More

Treatment Options

Fractional Microneedling Radio Frequency

It uses RF energy to stimulate collagen and elastin production to reduce skin laxity.

Botulinum Toxin Injections

This injectable treatment reduces muscle contractions to smoothen wrinkles and fine lines.

Hyaluronic Acid Fillers

Helps restore lost volume and reduce deep wrinkles, tear troughs and sunken cheeks.

Profhilo

Deeply hydrates your skin and induces bio-modelling to alleviate ageing signs.

HIFU

High-intensity focused ultrasound helps provide non-surgical facelift results.

Intragen Monopolar RF

This radiofrequency technology-based anti-ageing treatment heats the deeper tissue to generate collagen and elastin.

Laser Toning

Q-Switched Nd:YAG laser technology reduces deep pigmentation and dullness and improves skin tone.

Treatments Explained

Fractional Microneedling Radio Frequency

Laser Toning Treatment

Prognosis

  • Visible improvements in skin texture and tone.
  • Reduction of fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation.
  • Achieve youthful, rejuvenated skin with minimal downtime.
  • Follow-up sessions may be necessary.
Reviewed by Dr. Debatri Datta
MBBS: RG Kar Medical College Kolkata, West Bengal University of Health Sciences
Written by : Dr. Debatri Datta
Updated on: August 24, 2024