Skin Care Today

FOCUS ON OLDER SKIN

SKIN CARE TODAY

2017,Vol 3, No 1

kin ageing is an inevitable

fact of life that presents

nurses and patients

with a unique set of problems

when it comes to assessment,

treatment and maintenance.

Ageing skin is influenced

both by internal physiological

factors (intrinsic ageing), and

external factors (extrinsic

ageing). Intrinsic ageing affects

the structure and function

of the skin, which results in

dryness, atrophy (wasting),

laxity (looseness), wrinkling

and pigment changes. All

components of the skin are

affected by ageing, which will

eventually affect everyone

(Norman, 2003; Lawton, 2010).

SKIN STRUCTURE

Intrinsic factors

Epidermis

With age the epidermis becomes

thinner, there is flattening of the

dermo-epidermal junction and the

corneocytes (non-living cells that

form the outermost layer of the

epidermis) become less adherent

Care of elderly skin

allowed to dry out and split

(Kirkup, 2014).

Dry skin (xerosis) is a

common feature of ageing skin,

resulting from the reduced

production of sebum, alteration

in the lipid components of

the epidermis and disordered

activity of the stratum corneum

(Kirkup, 2014). The number of

melanocytes (melanin-forming

cells) and Langerhans cells

(antigen-presenting immune

cells) decrease, altering the

immune response, increasing

the risk of infections and skin

cancer, and decreasing the

skin’s ability to heal (Hill, 1994).

Dermis

The main changes in the

dermis occur in the supporting

fibres. The bulk of collagen

(the main structural protein found

in skin) decreases and, while the

Sandra Lawton, nurse consultant dermatology,

Rotherham NHS Foundation Trust and

Queen’s Nurse

IN BRIEF

It is estimated that 70% of elderly people have skin problems (All

Party Parliamentary Group on Skin [APPGS], 2000), and as people

age the skin undergoes several changes.

The continuous process of skin ageing affects the function and

appearance of the skin and increases the likelihood of skin

problems (Lawton 2008; 2014).

This article provides an overview of factors to consider when

caring for elderly people with skin problems.

KEY WORDS:

Skin

Older people’s skin

Emollients

Dry skin

Itching

Sandra Lawton

to one another, which reduces their

water-binding capacity and results in

dry skin (Hill, 1994). One common

exception to this age-related thinning

of the epidermis is an increased

thickening of the stratum corneum

(outermost layer of the skin, made

up of keratinised cells) on the soles

of the feet. Individuals affected may

find that their walking is impaired,

especially if these thicker layers are

Practice point

As dry skin is a common

presenting feature of ageing skin,

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include the use of emollients.