Skin Care for Aging Skin

Aging Skin

The aging process has a significant impact on the structure and function of the skin. Healthy skin is virtually impermeable to water loss and serves to maintain the skin’s hydration and flexibility. As skin ages, it changes in structure resulting in a decreased ability of the epidermal barrier to prevent water loss and retain moisture.  With aging, skin also becomes thinner and loses elasticity due to the loss of dermal collagen, fat and connective tissue. The ability of the epidermis to naturally restore its impaired barrier declines with age making skin more susceptible to injury and reducing the body’s ability to heal.

Common Skin Conditions in the Elderly

A multitude of factors, including: decreased mobility, chronic disease, medications, diet, hydration status, pollutants and the external environment, cause alterations in skin barrier function, potentially causing dryness, irritation and itching and leaving elderly individuals with a heightened risk for skin diseases. Extreme climate changes, smoking and stress may also exacerbate dryness and skin impairment.

Common skin conditions which result from alterations and extreme dryness in aging skin include:

• Xerosis, also known as dry skin, can occur at any age, but is particularly common in the elderly. Factors which may cause or worsen xerosis include:  cold, dry weather, dry heat from the use of heaters and fireplaces, excessive contact with water (i.e. long hot showers and baths), the use of harsh soaps or detergents and smoking. 
• Eczema, also called Atopic Dermatitis, is a very common, often chronic skin disease which is typically characterized by extreme itching and inflammation resulting in redness, swelling, cracking, weeping, scaling and crusting of the skin. Eczema can result in increased sensitivity to irritants and extremely dry skin which leads to the breakdown of the skin’s natural protective barrier.
  The exact cause of eczema is unknown, but it’s thought to be linked to an overactive response by the body’s immune system to various
  triggers, including stress.  
• Pruritus is most commonly characterized by itching accompanied by scratching and inflammation. This condition is often associated with underlying diseases and is the most common dermatological problem in the elderly. Dry skin itches because it is easily irritated. Repetitive touching, rubbing and scratching of pruritic skin can lead to lesions which subsequently allow environmental irritants and pathogens to penetrate the skin increasing the risk of infection. 
• Decubitis ulcers or pressure ulcers, also called bed sores, are a common affliction of elderly individuals who are confined to a bed for long periods of time. Fragile skin, when exposed to friction against bed linens and continuous pressure on a particular area of the body, breaks down from a lack of blood flow to that region and results in the formation of painful ulcers. 

Theraplex Moisturizers and Aging Skin

Theraplex moisturizers provide a two-part solution to help combat the effects of the aging process on elderly skin:                

• Theraplex moisturizers penetrate deep into the cracks and fissures of dry skin to help replace moisture which has been depleted due to a breakdown in the function of the skin barrier.
• Theraplex moisturizers create a protective barrier to enable skin to retain vital moisture and help prevent irritants and pathogens from penetrating the skin.

Theraplex products are:

• Noncomedogenic
• Hypoallergenic
• Fragrance Free

Theraplex uses only basic formulations, without potentially irritating added ingredients, so they are well tolerated by individuals with fragile, compromised skin.

Each Theraplex product plays a significant role in helping aging skin.

Theraplex Emollient

Specially formulated with the highest concentration of our special petrolatum fraction to provide maximum moisturization and protection for severe, dry, compromised skin.

• Basic, yet effective, Theraplex Emollient recently received the Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association receiving a rating of 5 out of 5, the highest rating possible.

Theraplex FT Exfoliating Emollient

Contains the same great formulation as Theraplex Emollient but with the addition of 5% salicylic acid and camphor to gently exfoliate and remove rough, dry skin and calluses.

• May be used by diabetic patients or anyone suffering from severe dryness of the lower extremities.
• With continuous use, feet become noticeably softer and smoother in a matter of days.

Theraplex ClearLotion

This oil emollient was designed for use after showering or bathing to seal in moisture on the skin’s surface and provide continuous moisturization and protection throughout the day.

• CAUTION:  This product should not be applied to the bottoms of the feet as it may result in slipping and falling.

Theraplex HydroLotion

This light, non-greasy lotion contains a water-in-oil emulsion to repair dry skin damage and protect skin’s natural barrier from the harsh effects of the environment.

• May be applied to the body and face as frequently as needed for daily skin maintenance.

Consult your dermatologist on how Theraplex moisturizers can help improve and protect your skin.