'Skin density' refers to the thickness of the skin, and it differs from one area of the body to another. Unfortunately, our skin gets thinner with age, which is why older people can seem to have 'paper thin skin.'
The skin has three layers:
The skin on our face is much thinner than the skin on the rest of the body. Even on the face itself, some areas have thinner skin than others, particularly the eyes and lips. There are no oil glands around the eyes of lips, which is why wrinkles tend to appear around the eyes first and why lips can so easily become dry cracked.
The skin is also very thin on the neck and chest area, which is why this area can be especially prone to wrinkles and loose skin.
Thin skin can be hereditary, and our skin thins naturally as we age. After the age of 20 we lose about one per cent of collagen, the skin's scaffolding protein, every year. The more collagen we lose, the thinner our skin appears.
Pollutants, such as smoking, and UV light from the sun ortanning beds can break down collagen and elastin, the proteins that give our skin its plumpness, firmness and elasticity.
This is why our hands, which are often exposed to sunshine as well as moisture-stripping cleansers, can be prone to wrinkling, making the skin here look older than the skin on the rest of the body.
Menopause, with its drop in hormone levels, can reduce moisture and collagen production in the skin, making it thinner and prone to sagging. There are also medications that can thin our skin by affecting fluid levels. Long-term steroid use in well-known to thin the skin, particularly if it's applied topically (directly on to the skin, e.g., in a cream or ointment).
Certain medical conditions can cause thin skin. For instance, Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes (EDS) affect the connective tissues of the body, and can result in thin, fragile and stretchy skin.
Preserving collagen in the skin, and stimulating it, can help to make the skin look plumper, firmer and younger.
Microneedling involves running fine needles (around 0.5mm –1mm long) over the face, creating tiny punctures on the skin's surface. The skin reacts by forming new collagen to heal these small wounds, and the needling process also stimulates elastin production, resulting in a new, smoother, skin layer.
Microneedling treatments are usually a month or six weeks apart, and several treatments are normally needed to see significant results.
After a microneedling session, your skin may become inflamed or a little bruised, but this quickly fades, lasting a few days at most. Drinking plenty of water in the days leading up to the microneedling session can help to reduce bruising and inflammation. You should avoid direct sunlight and strenuous exercise for a short period afterwards to give the skin time to heal.
Microneedling is a safe and effective way to boost the natural proteins in the skin, giving it a firmer texture and a younger look. However, it's not suitable for everyone.
You should avoid microneedling treatment:
If you have rosacea, seek professional advice first. The suitability of microneedling for your condition may depend on the type of rosacea you have and what triggers it.
If microneedling is suitable to you, then it's a great way to get younger, firmer skin. You can look forward to seeing a new, smoother and more resilient skin layer appearing within a few treatments.
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