Obvious Skin Changes Due to Aging

Skin shows changes with age. It becomes thinner, bruises easily and is not as smooth as it once was. A scratch that is caused by a cat, or the tiniest cut can cause the skin to bleed. Surface cuts might also take longer to heal. The ravages of the hot sun caused by years of sun bathing takes its toll on the aging skin by causing age spots, wrinkles and skin cancer to appear.

Excessive Dry Skin

Most of the elderly will have dry skin. It usually appears on the arms and legs because these areas are more difficult to cover up. While it might be impossible to reverse these signs of aging, it would be best to apply sunscreen lotion to exposed areas before going out. Use a liquid bath soap that has a moisturizing product contained within. Try to stay out of the sun, and stop smoking if you still smoke. Lifetime smokers might notice deep wrinkles on the skin above their mouth - a sign that previous heavy smokers have to bear. Extremely dry skin can also be the result of a thyroid condition. It might be best to see a doctor if you are constantly itching.

Use Moisturizer Lotions or Creams to Quiet The Itch

Because dry skin is usually the cause of skin itching, make it a habit to use skin creams or lotions to add moisture to the skin. Use a moisturizing bath lotion or a mild soap when washing or bathing. Stay away from hot baths, as the heat will cause further drying of the skin.

Check for Skin Bruises That Might Appear

Aged seniors find that they bruise easily. Each time they look at their arms, they might notice another bruise that seems to have appeared for no apparent reason. Bruising can also be caused by medications or a serious illness. Keep an eye out for bruises that appear on areas of the body that are not exposed. It might be skin cancer.

Wrinkles on the Forehead or Above the Mouth

Aging slowly causes the skin to lose its elasticity. Just like the apple that fell from the tree, gravity generally causes sagging skin and wrinkles to form. Frown lines add wrinkles so start to smile. Smoking causes fine lines to appear over the mouth, so stop smoking.

Unsightly Age Spots and Annoying Skin Tags

As far as I am concerned, skin tags are the worse signs of aging that I myself have experienced. Skin spots are flat, and can be covered with cosmetics, but skin tags are impossible to hide. They seem to crop up in clusters in the most obvious places, and some isolated tags in more hidden places. They appear mainly in women and are usually harmless.

Bra straps get caught in the larger skin tag. They appear on the neck, which makes it annoying to wear a necklace. Some are in small clusters, while others are large. They appear on an upper or lower eyelid without any warning. Some of the skin tags bleed, are painful and require surgical removal. The worse part is that Medicare does not pay for the removal of skin tags.

As I have already found out, the older you get the more skin changes appear. If you have any concerns about any of the skin changes or age spots it would be wise to make an appointment with a dermatologist. It does not hurt to make sure that none of aging spots or skin tags are a result of skin cancer.