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There are two different base causes of skin aging: natural (intrinsic) aging
and environmental (extrinsic) aging.
Natural aging occurs from the end of adolescence until death. During this
process, the body slows down the production of collagen (proteins found in
the skin responsible for strength and elasticity), and elastin (a similar
protein) begins to break down, reducing the skin's ability to stretch and
bounce back. This results in wrinkles, sagginess, dryness, and hair loss in
some areas coupled with unwanted hair in others. It is felt that the bulk of
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natural aging is determined by genetics.
Environmental aging is caused by a variety of
external factors, most prevalent of which is the sun. Sunlight causes "photoaging",
which also affects the collagen and elastin in the skin, weakening the skin
to the point where it loses elasticity and becomes dry, leathery, and
wrinkled. In addition, ultraviolet light leads to freckles, age spots,
actinic keratoses (rough, wart-like growths) and even skin cancer. Other
external factors include cigarette smoke, facial expressions, and even
sleeping positions. |
