Skin changes are among the most visible signs of ageing. Evidence of increasing age includes wrinkles and sagging skin. Whitening or graying of the hair is another obvious sign of ageing.

Skin changes are related to environmental factors, genetic makeup, nutrition, and other factors. The greatest single factor, though, is sun exposure.

Natural pigments seem to provide some protection against sun-induced skin damage. Blue-eyed, fair-skinned people show more ageing skin changes than people with darker, more heavily pigmented skin.

With aging, the outer skin layer (epidermis) thins, even though the number of cell layers remains unchanged. The number of pigment-containing cells (melanocytes) decreases. The remaining melanocytes increase in size. Ageing skin looks thinner, paler, and clear (translucent). Large pigmented spots, including age spots ,liver spots, or lentigos, may appear in sun-exposed areas.

Changes in the connective tissue reduce the skin's strength and elasticity. This is known as elastosis. It is more noticeable in sun-exposed areas (solar elastosis). Elastosis produces the leathery, weather-beaten appearance common to farmers, sailors, and others who spend a large amount of time outdoors.

The blood vessels of the dermis become more fragile. This leads to bruising, bleeding under the skin (often called senile purpura), cherry angiomas and similar conditions.

Sebaceous glands produce less oil as you age. Men experience a minimal decrease, most often after the age of 80. Women gradually produce less oil beginning after menopause. This can make it harder to keep the skin moist, resulting in dryness and itchiness. The subcutaneous fat layer thins so it has less insulation and padding.

Growths such as skin tags, warts rough patches (keratoses), and other blemishes are more common in older people.

Although it is impossible to avoid the natural ageing process all together, but you can protect yourself by staying out of the sun when it is strongest, using sunscreen with an SPF of 15 or higher, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding sunlamps and tanning beds. Cigarette smoking also contributes to wrinkles. The wrinkling increases with the amount of cigarettes and number of years a person has smoked.

Here at Minty Pearls we have many treatments that can drastically reduce and even reverse signs of ageing.