Ageing is a complex process that involves a decline in biological functions and is accompanied by psychological, behavioural, and other changes.
All cells experience changes with ageing, becoming larger and less able to divide and multiply. There is an increase in pigments, and vital organs begin to lose some function as we age. Ageing changes occur in all of the body’s cells, tissues, and organs, and these changes affect the functioning of all body systems.
Some systems begin ageing as early as age 30, while other ageing processes are not common until much later in life. Unlike the changes of adolescence, which are predictable to within a few years, each person ages at a unique rate. Some signs of ageing can be seen from the outside, such as wrinkles and grey hair, while others are not visible.
The most obvious changes effected by age are on the skin, simply because it is more exposed.
Factors influencing the changes in the layers of the skin and the rate of change are determined by genetics, degree of exposure to the elements, and general health of the individual.
- Marked deterioration of elasticity seen in “Transparent Skin Syndrome”, which is characterised by easily tearing skin, bleeding and bruising skin, increased tendency to senile purpura.
- Sweat glands fail to respond to physical and pharmacological stimuli.
Atrophied sebaceous glands result in dry and broken skin susceptible to infections such as senile pruritic. Secretions fall by 23% per decade in men and 32% per decade in women.
