Your Skin at Every Decade

In the 30s

• Cell turnover slows down.

   

• The dermis begins to lose some volume and bounce.

   

• Collagen fibers aren’t as efficiently meshed; elastin coils tight.

   

• Environmental damage may cause more harm to epidermal cells, but it still might not be visible.

In the 40s

• The stratum corneum becomes thicker as desquamation slows, affecting the evenness of skin tone.

   

• Collagen production slows, making skin looser and more prone to visible wrinkles.

   

• Expression lines deepen.

   

• Because the dermis is weaker, dilated veins may appear.

In the 50s

• Skin may become thinner.

   

• Hormonal changes cause a reduction in sebum production.

   

• A decrease in estrogen and an increase in the male hormone androgen may cause breakouts.

In the 60s and 70s

• Pigmentation changes, thinning in certain areas and clumping in others, leads to age spots.

   

• Less sebum production results in dryer skin.

   

• Genetic disposition to certain problems becomes evident, such as bags under the eyes, pigmentation or the appearance of a double chin.

   

• Cells in the epidermis become irregularly shaped, and precancerous formations are more likely.

   

• Cells called fibroblasts that produce elastin and collagen break down, causing droopiness in the skin.