Like everything else on our bodies, our skin goes through changes as we get older. Gravity makes it sag. Loss of fat under the skin makes it thinner and more susceptible to tearing. We get growths, age spots, and wrinkles.

Some of those changes are completely benign but others can cause problems. Here are a few ways that you can lessen the effects of certain conditions and keep your skin looking and feeling healthier for longer.

Thin, dry skin. It’s natural for our skin to become thinner, drier, and more brittle as we get older, but that doesn’t mean that we can’t do anything about it. To keep moisture in the skin, use humidifiers and moisturizers on a regular basis. Also, make sure that you don’t bathe too frequently since water dries out the skin. Eating a healthy diet full of lean proteins can also help.

Stasis dermatitis. When we get older, we tend to be less active. This usually results in a decrease in circulation, and many older people already have circulation problems as a side effect of aging. In severe cases with people who don’t walk around much, their lower legs can swell and become red and tender, with skin that’s dry and scaly. Many people then make problems worse by itching, which can lead to skin ulcers and bruising. To prevent this from occurring, try to keep as active as possible and engage in leg exercises designed to get your blood flowing.

Shingles. Many people don’t know this, but when people get chicken pox as children, the virus never really goes away. Instead, it retreats and hides inside us, biding its time until we become weak enough for it to attack again. This can happen in younger people whose immune systems become compromised, but most often it happens to people over 50. Doctors can’t completely get rid of shingles, but they can prescribe antiviral medication to ease symptoms and keep you from having any long term complications.

Skin cancer. Yes, it’s also possible for younger people to get skin cancer. But the reason that this is considered a disease for seniors is because it typically takes decades and decades of sun exposure to develop. You can’t simply reverse the damage that’s already been done to your skin but it is possible to limit further problems by engaging in protective skin care. That means using SPF-15 or higher when you go out, wearing hats, sunglasses, and clothes that keep you covered, and routinely checking yourself for new skin growths that could be potentially cancerous. If they’re caught early enough, most doctors can easily remove them.

Varicose ulcers. You’ve heard of varicose veins, but what about varicose ulcers? Sometimes seniors can experience a blood backflow that makes the skin break down in the ankles and legs. If your blood flow is weak, these areas may not heal correctly and can instead turn into wounds that can become infected and fill up with pus. People who find themselves in this predicament need to be very careful of the wound and may even require special dressings until it heals. You can also try to help prevent them from occurring in the first place by eating well, getting plenty of exercise, and refraining from smoking.

About the Author: Michael Klein has been writing about a variety of skin care topics for companies like Skinfo Skincare for more than 5 years. When not writing, Michael loves watching baseball, most notably his hometown team, the Chicago Cubs.
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