Why Does Skin Age and What Can We Do About It?
What This Study Says About Aging Skin
This study, published in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology (2025), reviews the various contributors to aging skin and potential interventions.
Authors:
Michelle Lazar, MD, Aurore D. Zhang, BS, Eric Beltrami, MD, Rebecca C. Clawson,MD, Aref Moshayedi, MD, Andrei Sharov, MD, PhD, Vladmir Botchkarev, MD, PhD,Mayra B.C. Maymone, MD, DSc, Neelam A. Vashi, MD
Title:
Cutaneous Manifestations of Aging CME Part 1: The Biology of Aging and
Preventative Measures
Journal:
J Am Acad Dermatol. 2026 May 22:S0190-9622(26)02729-5
What Is Skin Aging?
Skin aging is a natural process that happens to everyone. It is influenced by internal factors, such as genetics and hormone changes, and external factors, including sun exposure, smoking, pollution, and daily lifestyle habits.
Why Does Skin Change With Age?
As skin gets older, it becomes less efficient at repairing itself and producing the materials that keep it firm and smooth. Over time, the skin loses collagen and elastic support, becomes drier, and is less able to protect itself from irritation and injury.
Common signs of aging include:
Fine lines and wrinkles
Drier or rougher skin
Thinner, more fragile skin
Uneven tone or texture
Easier bruising or tearing in some patients
Internal Aging
Internal aging, sometimes called natural or chronological aging, happens as you age. Skin cells turn over more slowly, the outer layer becomes less resilient, and the deeper layer loses support from collagen and other structural proteins.
Hormone changes can also matter, especially around menopause. Lower estrogen levels are associated with thinner, drier skin, reduced skin elasticity, and more visible signs of aging changes in many women.
External Aging
External aging is caused by different things that your skin is exposed to over a lifetime. For example, sun exposure is one of the most important causes, as the sun’s ultraviolet light damages collagen and accelerates wrinkles, discoloration, and skin texture changes.
Other outside factors include smoking, air pollution, poor sleep, stress, and general lifestyle habits that increase inflammation and cell damage over time. These factors often make the skin look older sooner than natural aging alone would cause.
What Can Help Age-Related Changes in the Skin?
Daily prevention makes a real difference against premature skin aging. Good skin care, sun protection, and healthy lifestyle habits cannot stop aging completely, but they can slow visible damage and help the skin stay stronger and healthier.
Helpful steps include:
Applying sunscreen every day to protect against sun damage
Avoiding too much direct sun, especially during peak daylight hours
Wearing protective clothing that provides UV protection
Maintaining a healthy diet
Stopping smoking
Using a gentle cleanser and regular moisturizer
Getting good sleep and keeping healthy daily habits
Medical Treatments
Some treatment options can improve the appearance and function of aging skin. Retinoids, which are vitamin A-based prescription or over-the-counter products, are among the best-studied options. This is because they can increase skin cell turnover and support collagen production over time.
Researchers are also studying newer treatments that target aging cells more directly, but many of these remain experimental and are not yet standard cosmetic care. In selected patients, hormone-related treatments may also help with some skin and hair changes associated with aging.
Take-Home Message
Skin aging is due to a variety of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Each of these factors offers an opportunity to intervene. Research continues in modifying many of these areas.
Current interventions that have been shown to improve the signs of skin aging include:
Retinoids
Antioxidants
Maintaining moisturization
Limiting UV exposure
Avoiding inflammatory states
Tobacco cessation
Protecting the skin early, moisturizing regularly, and using proven treatments when appropriate can help skin stay healthier, stronger, and more youthful in appearance.
Schedule Your Skin Care Consultation Today in Bluffton, SC
Understanding your skin and the factors that affect it as you age is crucial to maintaining your dermal health and an overall youthful appearance. For patients seeking skin health and care guidance in Bluffton, SC, and surrounding areas, board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Jarrod Little will tailor your surgery or facial rejuvenation exactly to your goals. A consultation with Dr. Little will allow him to listen to your needs, evaluate your health, and determine the treatment that best fits you.
To schedule your personalized consultation today, reach out to Revive Palmetto Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery by calling (843) 480-0060 or completing our online form.
