External or extrinsic skin ageing.
Extrinsic or external skin aging occurs due to environmental factors which cause the
same results with normal
aging by accelerating this natural process.
These factors are the following ones:
 Exposure to the sun light. By the term "photo-aging"
dermatologists describe the type of  skin aging caused by the sun rays. Facial vein complexes, liver spots,
wrinkles on the face and neck, loose skin, actinic keratosis and cancer may be the aftermath
of prolonged end frequent exposure to the sun. Over time, the ability of the skin to
recover declines and the existing damage gets worse and irreversible.
Ultra violet light destroys collagen and reduces the
production of new molecules. Elastin is affected
negatively by sun rays too, resulting in wrinkled skin.
Exposure to the sun may cause increased pigmentation,
otherwise called "liver" or "age spots". The medical term is "solar lentigines". These
resemble large freckles on the backs of the hands. Occasionally, they may reach the size
of one centimeter. Liver spots are more common in middle aged and older people.
Photo-aging may remain unnoticed for years, before the signs get apparent. People with
dark skin are less vulnerable or susceptible to photo-aging.
Smoking and
pollution. There has been specific evidence that smoking and air pollution accelerate skin
aging. Statistics have shown that smokers are five times more susceptible to skin
wrinkling than non-smokers of the same age and history of sun exposure. The explanation
for this has not been established yet but the free
radicals contained in smoke are the most likely causative factors of external skin
aging. There is a lot of speculation that smoking damages elastin and impairs the
production of collagen.
Facial
expressions. Each time a group of facial muscle contract, the overlaid skin gets
ruffled. As soon as the muscles relax, elastin helps the skin to recoil to its original
state. Over the years, the elasticity of the skin declines and fine wrinkles appear.
Crow's feet, which are wrinkles around the eyes, are the most typical aftermath of facial
expressions.
Sleeping
positions. People who have the habit to sleep on their sides frequently are more
prone to face wrinkling than others who prefer to sleep on their backs. Wrinkles occur
due to uneven pressure against the pillow and reduced skin elasticity.
Body care
products. Personal care products, such as perfumes, antiperspirants, certain
soaps and bubble baths containing detergent, may result in dryness and external
skin aging. This can make skin itchy, bridle and less flexible.
Gravity.
Gravity and reduced skin elasticity and firmness can lead to "sleepy eyes", when the
eyelids get loose and drop. Gravity combined with loss of bone tissue can result in
sagged skin.
Diet. Studies
have given specific evidence that there is a link between diet and skin aging. People who prefer fruits,
vegetables, fat-free dairy products, poultry, olive oil, beans and tea are less prone to
skin wrinkling than others who prefer red meat, fried foods, full-fat dairy products, margarines and foods or drinks rich in
carbohydrates. In general diet rich in
protein and fiber helps in delaying external skin aging.
In-house
appliances. Central heating in winter and air conditioners in summer can dry the
indoors air dramatically. Apart from causing respiratory problems, dry air may accelerate
external skin aging process on a long term basis. A humidifier can add moisture to the
environment and prevent the air to get too dry.
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