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Skin aging: premature and natural, aging factors
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
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Aging is a complex biological process of metabolic and structural-functional changes in the body, affecting both internal organs and systems, and tissues that make up the external appearance. The tissues that make up the external appearance certainly include the skin, as well as some muscles (in particular, the facial and neck muscles).
Age-related skin changes have always been in the focus of interest of dermatologists. There are many theories of aging. Thus, the postulates of AF Weismann are well studied, indicating that aging is a genetically programmed process or the result of accumulation of toxic metabolic products in tissues that prevent cell reparation. There are hypotheses of age-related changes in cell DNA, including shortening of telomeres of DNA molecules, changes in telomerase activity, etc. In recent years, the hypothesis of the role of various active forms of oxygen (ROS), including its free radicals, in cellular damage, based on the theory of "oxidative stress", has been actively discussed. It is believed that DNA telomerases are most sensitive to active forms of oxygen, which, in turn, cause shortening of telomeres, leading to apoptosis (programmed death) of cells. According to the thermodynamic theory of aging, widely used in gerontology, dynamic fluctuations in pH and ambient temperature have a significant effect on the morphofunctional state of body tissues. According to other theories, a complex of age-related immune and neuroendocrine disorders also plays a significant role in the appearance of signs of aging.
Aging can be natural and premature. The age limits of natural aging are 50 years. This is a process that cannot be prevented. Premature aging includes a complex of signs of age-related changes in the body as a whole, and skin in particular, which can be corrected using modern techniques.
It is necessary to distinguish between endogenous and exogenous factors of natural and premature aging. Endogenous factors include genetic characteristics, endocrine dysfunctions, foci of chronic infection, etc.
Among the exogenous factors, the most prominent are ultraviolet radiation, aggressive weather conditions, unfavorable working conditions (frequent changes in climate and time zones, night shifts, work in hot workshops, outdoors, etc.), unbalanced diets, and improper skin care.
Types of skin aging
Currently, it is common to distinguish three main types of skin aging: chronological, associated with menopause (menopausal, or hormonal) and associated with ultraviolet radiation (photoaging). Often, chronological and menopausal aging are combined under the general term "biological aging".
Each of the above types of aging has its own causes and is characterized by certain morphological changes and dynamics of manifestations on the skin.
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