Skin Care in Aged

Derma Essentia March 3, 2018

ommon skin problems in elderly are dry and itchy skin. Sun exposure is the main cause of skin damage. Skin damage from the sun is due to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) light, which breaks down elastic tissue (elastin) in the skin and causes the skin to stretch, sag, wrinkle, and become blotchy, occasionally with pre-cancerous growths and even skin cancer.

Do’s ::
1. Applying vegetable oil 5 min before bath helps to reduce dryness.
2. Use cool/lukewarm water because hot water tends to strip away the natural oils produced by the skin.
3. Use gentle glycerine based moisturizing soap. Use sunscreens to prevent aging changes.
4. Moisturizing the skin will keep it hydrated. Apply fragrance-free, thick moisturizers immediately after the bath.
5. Check the feet regularly in case you are diabetic.
6. Eat foods rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants like high colored fruits and leafy vegetables. Drink plenty of water.

Don’ts ::
Avoid hot baths, frequent bathing, excessive skin scrubbing.
Avoid washing with hard soaps and overusing alcohol-based products such as sanitizers and cleansing agents that dry the skin.

Skin Care for aging skin:

Freckles, skin tags, and moles can increase with age. Consult your dermatologist when you find them increasing rapidly.

Pinpoint-sized white spots on the legs are often seen in elderly – need not to bother. They are age spots, also called Idiopathic Guttate Hypomelanosis, not vitiligo.

Vaginal dryness is common in Menopause and post-menopausal women. It causes itching, discomfort, and pain.

Consult your dermatologist, if there is whitening and itching of the vaginal skin