Skincare for the elderly
Skin becomes thinner and more delicate the older you get. That's why you should adapt your skincare routine to focus on improving the loss of moisture to keep your skin firm and toned and prevent against sags and wrinkles.
Plus, an older person's skin has a tendency to present localised pruritus (itching) and dermatosis caused by blood stasis. The reason is that when it loses moisture, skin dries out and flakes, something which always goes hand in hand with a feeling of irritation and itchiness. That’s why older skin often becomes atopic and dry. Looking after your skin when you're older entails using products that better protect your skin and help restore lost moisture.
Although most skincare routines are targeted mainly at the face and preventing surface damage like wrinkles and expression lines, body treatments are no less important.
Don't forget your hands
One of the forgotten parts of older people’s bodies are their hands. They may have been important to us for years, but as we get older we sometimes forget how important their day to day care is.
The dryness that goes along with age due to the thinning of the skin's regenerative layer and the loss of extracellular matrix synthesis caused by the reduction in collagen and elastin fibres increases the risk of tearing the epidermis which we notice with the appearance of flaky areas, particularly on the palms and distal phalanges. More sores can also result and make healing slower.
How do I care for my hands?
The care in this phase of life can basically be summed up in one word: moisturisation.
Hands require more intensive moisturisation because they are always being used. To this end, use products that moisturise the skin’s surface with an easy-to-absorb oil and glycerine base. We also recommend you add the use of elements like urea to relieve the feeling of itchiness that accompanies dryness and dehydration, as it can lessen the symptoms of itching and irritation.
Not only do your hands require moisturisation, they suffer from sores and injuries more frequently. That's why you should use a product with a healing component like Centella asiatica, which can be important in restoring the epidermal layer and reducing the closure time of possible bruises.
Try to avoid certain things
Don’t use irritants like alcohol-based solutions or aggressive detergents without proper protection.
Don't wash your hands in very hot water as it can speed up moisture loss from the outermost layer of the skin. In association with low regeneration, it can be a source of irritation. Apply moisturising cream after washing your hands, while the skin is still damp and the product will absorb better, helping the skin stay hydrated.
Try not to scratch even if there are times when you feel your skin is dry and irritated. Older, delicate skin can tear, leaving it vulnerable to possible infections.
