This is why our skin gets thinner and looser. Intrinsic aging can be affected by external factors, such as smoking. This is known as extrinsic aging. The nicotine in cigarettes, for example, constricts the blood vessels to your skin, which results in less oxygen and fewer vitamins getting where they need to be.
Other chemicals in cigarettes break down the collagen and elastin we mentioned earlier. Another big part of extrinsic aging is sun exposure. Everyone gets wrinkles , little patchworks of lines that crisscross all over our skin. Genetics partly determines just how wrinkly you'll be, but you can help keep lines to a minimum by taking care of your skin.
If you're a smoker or a tanning bed enthusiast, it's likely you'll have more wrinkles than someone who isn't. Photoaging is what dermatologists call the effects of too much skin on your skin. Wrinkles, pigmentation and changes in skin texture are a natural part of intrinsic aging, but they can be made worse by all the UV rays you've soaked up.
Two people may be exactly the same age as far as birth date and yet have skin that makes them look a decade apart. Age spots , for example, also known as liver spots, are a common sight on the skin of older people. These brown, gray or black flat spots are found on the parts of your body that have seen the most sun. Less sun equals less of a chance of age spots. And just because your skin looks great and healthy in your 20s and bounces back quickly from a summer burn doesn't mean you've seen the last of that willful decision to go without sunblock at the beach.
Damage to the skin happens long before you can actually see it. We've gone over the ways that your skin cares for your body and how it heals itself when wounded, but there are a number of ways you can help it do its job and ensure that it continues doing its job long into your life. We've gone over the ins and outs of how your skin works, but now go on to the next page for more articles about your skin, from the wackiest spa services on the market to 15 ways to get rid of acne.
Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close. Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. Skin Care. Skin Information. Skin Anatomy. How Your Skin Works. See more getting beautiful skin pictures. Skin Composition, from the Outside In " ".
Pores, Sebum and Sweat Glands " ". Skin Color and Where It Comes from Melanin is a pigment that is produced by specialized skin cells called keratinocytes. Think Pink. How Skin Heals When your skin gets cut, your body springs into action to heal the wound. Why Tattoos Don't "Heal". Skin as It Ages " ". Caring for Your Skin " ". Shield yourself from the sun. The sun's rays are at their most harmful between 10 a.
If you're going to be outside, cover up. And, of course, don't forget the sunscreen, SPF 15 or higher. Throw away the cigarettes or don't pick them up in the first place. As we discussed on the previous page, smoking shortchanges your skin of the nutrients it needs to stay healthy. This is a normal response of the body to an injury. During this phase, the body focuses on destroying bacteria and removing debris with the influx of oxygen, nutrients, and white blood cells.
The white blood cells help to keep the wound clean and protect the wound by fighting off bacteria that may try to invade the wound. The rebuilding phase is one in which the body can start reparative activities to the damaged area. This phase lasts from about 4 days to a month after surgery. It includes the normal development of a thickening area along the incisional line indicating deposition of new collagen in the wound, often referred to as a healing ridge.
This firmness will cover the entire incision line and begin to soften and flatten about weeks following surgery. The last phase is often referred to as the remodeling phase. This phase lasts from 21 days up to 2 years. In this final and longest phase, collagen synthesis is ongoing in order to strengthen the tissue. Once the wound is closed with a clot, the blood vessels can open a bit to allow fresh nutrients and oxygen into the wound for healing.
Blood-borne oxygen is essential for healing. The right balance of oxygen is also important — too much or too little and the wound won't heal correctly. Another type of blood cell, a white blood cell called a macrophage, takes on the role of wound protector. This cell fights infection and oversees the repair process. You might see some clear fluid on or around the cut at this time.
That is helping clean out the wound. Macrophages also produce chemical messengers, called growth factors, which help repair the wound. Growth and rebuilding. If you have a deep cut that is bleeding profusely, seek professional medical attention. Most wounds that require closure should be stitched, stapled, or closed with skin adhesives also called liquid stitches within 6 to 8 hours after the injury.
Some wounds that require treatment can be closed as long as 24 hours after the injury. Your wound may need stitches or other medical treatment if it meets any of the following criteria: The cut is deeper than a quarter of an inch.
Fat, muscle, bone, or other deep body structures are visible due to the wound. Bleeding: Applying pressure on the wound should stop the bleeding.
Also, you likely need stitches if the blood spurts out of the wound or soaks through the bandage. The following are some alternative methods and remedies people can try to make wounds heal faster:.
Red blood cells help create collagen, which are tough, white fibers that form the foundation for new tissue. The wound starts to fill in with new tissue, called granulation tissue. New skin begins to form over this tissue. As the wound heals, the edges pull inward and the wound gets smaller.
Chemical signals in the body tell cells around the wound to make elastic tissues called collagen. This helps to repair the skin and tissues in the wound. Collagen is like a scaffold that other cells can be built on. At this stage in healing, you might see a fresh, raised, red scar.
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