Your skin changes as you get older. You may notice that it becomes thinner and no longer looks as plump and smooth as it once did. On this page, you will learn about how skin changes as you age, how to protect your skin, and signs of skin diseases to look out for.
With aging, the outer layer of the skin gets thinner, paler, and less stretchy (elastic). Because blood vessels get more fragile with age, older adults tend to bruise more easily. Also, older adults may produce less sweat and oil from the glands in their skin.
Many factors influence how aging affects your skin. Age-related changes such as a loss of elastic fibers (elastin) and collagen cause the skin to look older, develop wrinkles, and be more fragile. Hormonal changes, such as those that occur with menopause, can cause the skin to become thinner and drier. Certain chronic health conditions that are more common in older adults, such as diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, and atherosclerosis, can also have symptoms that affect the skin.
The sun is another major contributor to skin aging. The sun emits ultraviolet (UV) light, which can damage skin cells. In the short term, the damage can cause a sunburn. Over time, however, UV damage adds up, leading to changes in skin texture, premature skin aging, wrinkles, and sometimes skin cancer.
Many older people develop dry spots on their skin, often on their lower legs, elbows, and lower arms. Dry skin patches may itch and feel rough and scaly. There are many possible reasons for dry skin. In addition to the changes that come with aging, drinking too little water, spending too much time in the sun, living in a dry environment, and smoking can all cause the skin to feel dry and rough.
Taking hot baths and showers, or using too much soap, antiperspirant, or perfume, can make dry skin worse. Talk to your doctor if your skin is very dry and itchy.
Here are some ways to manage dry, itchy skin at home:
Use moisturizers such as lotions, creams, or ointments every day.
Use mild soap and warm (not hot) water when bathing or showering. Don’t add bath oil to your water — it can make the tub slippery and increase the risk of falling.
Try using a humidifier, an appliance that adds moisture to a room.
Older people may bruise more easily than younger people, and it can take longer for these bruises to heal. Some medicines or illnesses may also cause bruising. Talk to your doctor if you see bruises and don’t know how you got them, especially on parts of your body usually covered by clothing.
While accidental bruises are common in older adults, they can also be a sign of elder abuse.
Age spots, once called “liver spots,” are flat, brown spots on the skin often caused by years of exposure to the sun. Age spots are bigger than freckles and commonly show up on the face, hands, arms, back, and feet. Wearing a hat in the sun and using a broad spectrum sunscreen that protects against two types of the sun’s rays can help prevent more age spots from forming.
Skin tags are small, usually flesh-colored growths of skin that have a raised surface. They become more common as people age, especially in women. They are most often found on the eyelids, neck, and body folds such as the armpits, chest, and groin.
Age spots and skin tags are harmless, although skin tags can become irritated from friction. If your age spots or skin tags bother you, talk to a doctor about treatment options.
While some skin changes are normal in aging — such as some dryness, bruising, wrinkles, age spots, and skin tags — others may be signs of a serious skin condition.
Anyone, of any skin color, can get skin cancer. Older adults and people with fair skin that freckles easily are at greatest risk. Exposure to UV light from the sun is one of the major risk factors for skin cancer. UV light from sunlamps and tanning booths can also contribute to skin cancer risk.
There are several types of skin cancer. Two of the most common types, basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, grow slowly and are usually found on parts of the skin most often exposed to the sun, including the head, face, neck, hands, and arms. Basal cell carcinoma usually doesn’t spread to other parts of the body, but squamous cell carcinoma can. Both of these types of skin cancer can usually be cured if detected early, but treatment may have side effects and can leave scars.
The rarest and most dangerous type of skin cancer is melanoma. Of all types of skin cancer, melanoma causes the most deaths because of its tendency to spread to other parts of the body, including vital organs like the brain and liver.
Check your skin each month for changes that may be signs of cancer. Skin cancer is rarely painful. Look for changes such as a new growth, a sore that doesn’t heal, or a bleeding mole. If you notice anything unusual, talk to your doctor or visit a dermatologist. Regular skin checks by a doctor are also important for people who have already had skin cancer.
Early melanoma can have specific symptoms. The “ABCDE” rule can help you know what to look for:
A = Asymmetry (one half of the growth looks different from the other half)
B = Borders that are irregular
C = Color changes or more than one color
D = Diameter greater than the size of a pencil eraser
E = Evolving, meaning the growth changes in size, shape, symptoms (for example, itching or tenderness), surface (especially bleeding), or shades of color
Some prescription and over-the-counter medications can make skin more sensitive to sunlight. These include certain antibiotics, cancer therapies, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and diuretics. Check with a doctor or pharmacist to find out whether any of your medications may make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
Skin Care and Aging (NIH) (Skin Care and Aging | National Institute on Aging)
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