There is a lot hullabaloo about skin and skin care these days. You just can’t get away with a simple soap and moisturizer routine. Great emphasis is placed on the skin care products used to cleanse and maintain your skin, and another set of products to pamper and make your skin look soft and supple.

The cosmetics that you use, the moisturizer, gel and toner that are part of your cleansing routine, the sun block cream and an army of other products form an important part of your life. No one wants to look old and one way to prevent those wrinkles from creeping up is to lavish a lot of care on your skin. An aging skin can reveal secrets that you wouldn’t want the world to know.

The skin ages in two different ways – through inherited genes (intrinsic aging) and environmental exposure (extrinsic aging). The natural process of aging, referred to as intrinsic aging, begins in the mid 20’s and deteriorates continuously throughout the rest of one’s life. The skin gradually shows the effects of aging on the skin as collagen production decelerates and elastic looses its stretch. The skin regenerates at a slower speed and new skin cell turnover is depressed, causing the skin to shed old cells at a reduced rate.

Intrinsic aging is displayed by the development of fine lines and wrinkles, itchy or dry skin, sagging skin from loss of bone mass, loss of underlying fat producing hollowed out cheeks and eye sockets, thin or transparent skin, development of spider and varicose veins and the decrease in sweat gland production that affects the skin’s cooling process.

Extrinsic aging is caused by environmental factors and the ultraviolet rays of the sun play an active role in making the skin look old. Smoking, facial expressions, gravity, wind, heat and even the position of sleep all contribute to extrinsic aging process. Up to 80% of all aging may be due to exposure to the sun. Wearing sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher will reduce the damaging effects the sun has on the collagen and elastin cells in the skin.

A lot of exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun leads to freckles, rough skin, blotchy complexion, spider veins on the face and red patches on the skin called actinic keratoses. It also causes skin cancer.

Dermatologists use the term ‘Photoaging’ to describe the damage to the skin caused by the sun. Photoaging occurs over time and varies depending on individual skin color and amount of exposure to harmful UV rays. Collagen and elastin production are stunted with sun exposure, causing the skin to lose its ability to repair itself and become leathery, loose and wrinkled.