Skin Care in Your Senior Years and How to Stay Irritation Free

If you’ve been struggling with skin irritation, you may need daily skin care. It is common for skin to feel dry and irritated in your 60s and 70s. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to prevent this as you age.

Skin Care as You Age

You may know that your skin care needs change as you age. Your skin becomes thinner, loses fat, and no longer looks as smooth as it once did. Your bones and veins are seen more easily, and bumps and scratches are more apparent while they take longer to heal. Years of sun exposure or tanning leads to damaged skin with wrinkles, dryness, age spots, and – in some cases – cancer. But you can still protect your skin and make it feel better.

Dry Skin and Itching

Many seniors struggle with dry skin, often occurring on the lower legs, elbows, and lower arms. Dry skin can feel rough and even scaly. There are many causes of dry skin that may include:

• Not being well hydrated 
• Spending too much time in the sun or tanning
• Dry air
• Smoking
• Being stressed
• Losing sweat and oil glands
• Diabetes
• Kidney disease
• Using too much soap
• Antiperspirants
• Some perfumes
• Taking hot baths
• Some medications

Due to the fact that you likely have thinner skin now than you did when you were younger, scratching can sometimes cause bleeding that can lead to infections. Be sure to talk to your doctor about dry and itchy skin. 

If you are struggling with dry and itchy skin, try some of these tips:

• Use moisturizer
• Take fewer baths or showers
• Get a humidifier

Bruises

As a senior, you bruise more easily than you once did. It can also take longer for your bruises to heal, which may cause you to consult your doctor. Here are a few ways you may bruise easily:

• Bumping into things
• Excessive exercise
• Bleeding disorders
• Blood thinners

Most people understand why they have a certain bruise. However, here are a few reasons to talk to your doctor:

• If the bruise is accompanied by swelling
• Bruising appears for no apparent reason
• The bruise is painful and appears under a fingernail or toenail
• If there is a chance a bone is broken

Wrinkles

The bane of many a woman’s existence, wrinkles are common as you age. Often they are caused by ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun that can affect the elasticity of the skin. Gravity can also cause the skin to sag and wrinkle as a result. Also, smoking is a big contributor. 

There are a lot of claims about reducing wrinkles, however, many wrinkle products don’t work and procedures can be painful or even dangerous. The only real way to prevent wrinkles is to have good genes and take care of your skin.

Skin Cancer

In the United States, skin cancer is very common and anyone of any skin tone can get it. Unprotected exposure to the sun is the primary cause. Be sure to check your skin once a month for signs of cancer, which may include:

• New growths
• A sore throat that doesn’t heal
• Bleeding moles

Remember ABCDE

Be sure to check your skin often for moles, birthmarks, or other blemishes by using the ABCDE method to ensure you know what you are looking for.

• A is for asymmetrical
• B is for borders that look irregular
• C is for color changes
• D is for diameter greater than a pencil
• E is for evolving, or a change in growth

If you have any of the above issues, be sure to talk to your doctor about your skin condition.

Keep Skin Healthy

Getting some sun can be great for your mood, but to keep skin healthy, be sure to:

• Limit unprotected exposure to the sun
• Use sunscreen frequently
• Wear protective clothing
• Avoid tanning
• Use moisturizers
• Stay hydrated

Though your skin is bound to change with age, with these skin care hacks you can keep your epidermis soft and supple a little longer.

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