Buzz
Our skin is designed to stretch. We do this every day when we squint in the sun, make funny faces, smile, laugh, pout, or furrow our brows. Each time our skin stretches, tiny lines and creases form beneath the surface. As time passes, the outer layer of skin becomes thinner and drier, sinking deeper into those grooves. With age, we also lose some of the elements in our skin that help it stretch and return to its original form.
Let’s start by understanding the three layers of our skin. The outermost layer is the epidermis (eh-pih-DER-mis), which is the part you can see. Beneath that is the dermis, where we find stretchy fibers called elastin that allow our skin to stretch and then return to its normal shape, much like an elastic hairband. The dermis also contains collagen (KAHL-uh-jen), a protein that keeps the skin firm and encourages the growth of new skin cells. Below the dermis is the deep subcutaneous (sub-kyoo-TAY-nee-us) layer, which stores fat. As we age, we begin to lose collagen, elastin, fat, and the oils that keep our skin hydrated, making it drier.
There are many reasons for this. As we get older, our bodies produce less of these vital substances, causing our skin to become thinner, drier, and less flexible. The Sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays also damage collagen and elastin fibers, leading to more lines and wrinkles. However, wrinkles are a natural part of aging. Eventually, you will have them too. To keep your skin healthy, protect it with sunscreen and drink plenty of water to keep it moisturized.
For more information, visit Kids Health.
