Читать книгу Good Skin - Ingrid Wood - Страница 16

Your body is programmed to age and there’s nothing you can do about your internal clock! The good news is there’s a lot you can do to slow down the visible results of the process and keep your skin looking better for longer. There are two types of ageing – intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic or chronological ageing is the natural, biological process of ageing, over which we have little control. Extrinsic ageing is a result of external causes, in particular photo ageing (damage caused by ultraviolet radiation or sun exposure). Exposure to UV light and pollution accelerate ageing due to the production of free radicals in the skin. Free radicals are rogue molecules that attack the collagen and elastin fibres as well as new skin cells as they form. Although this happens mainly in the dermis, the effect is visible on the surface of the skin as a dry and weakened skin texture, pigmentation, broken veins and an increased vulnerability to further external damage.

The difference between intrinsic and extrinsic ageing can be seen on the inside of your upper arm, near the armpit. You will notice that this skin is smooth, soft and supple, while the skin on the back of the hands is thicker, rougher and drier. With intrinsic ageing, the skin’s outer layer will become about 20% thinner over time, although the skin’s surface should remain smooth. Sun-damaged skin, however, is thickened, with up to 50% more cells accumulating on the surface, giving it a rough, dry texture. (Think of a weather-beaten fisherman.) Photo ageing also causes a marked accumulation of pigment in the basal layers, resulting in age spots. In addition, pores tend to be more dilated and the skin may appear more mottled. And that’s only the damage visible to the naked eye!

The thinnest skin is on the eyes, lips, neck and the back of the hands; and the thickest on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.

Hands can give away age in a flash. Compared to the face, they have a thinner layer of skin, less fat to hide wrinkles, fewer oil glands to moisturize them and you can’t use make-up to conceal them. The secret to good looking hands: take good care of them.