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Why does aging skin become thin, glossy, and wrinkled?
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atrophy
One example of atrophy is the progressive loss of bone that occurs in osteoporosis (normal bone shown on left; osteoporotic bone shown on right).
As aging progresses, the skin undergoes significant atrophic changes that alter its appearance and texture. The characteristic thin, glossy, and wrinkled quality of aging skin is primarily driven by structural and cellular degradation within the skin's layers.1
Causes of Skin Atrophy in Aging
- Dermal and Epidermal Changes: The outer layer of skin, the epidermis, thins over time. Simultaneously, the dermis experiences degenerative changes in its connective tissue, specifically involving collagen and elastin fibers.213
- Loss of Elasticity: Aging leads to a reduction in elastin and an increase in cross-links within collagen fibers. This process restricts the elastic properties of the collagen network, reducing the skin's ability to remain firm and adherent to underlying structures, which results in wrinkling.435
- Cellular and Glandular Decline: The number of pigment-containing cells, or melanocytes, decreases, contributing to a paler, translucent appearance. Furthermore, atrophy of the sweat glands and other appendages of the true skin contributes to the skin's characteristic glossy or satiny texture.21
While environmental factors like excessive sunlight can accelerate these changes, they are a fundamental part of the biological aging process.63