As we age, our skin naturally changes. For example, it becomes less oily, less elastic, thinner, and bruises more easily than younger skin. As a result, the elderly may notice changes or issues with their skin that they did not have when they were younger. Some problems are cosmetic, while others may require the assistance of elderly care services.

Common skin issues for the elderly

Wrinkles

The most common skin problem is wrinkles, which are one of the most visible signs of aging. They occur when the skin loses its flexibility and elasticity. You may have heard of “laugh lines” or “worry lines” since those are some of the first to appear on the face. Prolonged sun exposure and smoking can both cause wrinkles to form earlier than they might naturally.

Dry Skin

Another common elderly skin condition is dry skin. Dry skin occurs more often in the elderly because skin dries and produces less oil as we age. Dry skin doesn’t sound too bad but can become problematic if it starts to become itchy.

It is easy to absently scratch dry skin until it breaks and bleeds. Elderly skin heals slowly, and cuts or scrapes can quickly become infected. So it is important to keep an eye on dry skin and use an excellent moisturizer to reduce itching. If your family member experiences dry skin, we have covered some ways to treat dry skin in older adults.

Elderly Skin Care Tips

Some things you can do to keep elderly skin healthy are:

• Use soap that contains a moisturizer or is formulated for dry skin Use a moisturizing cream or lotion. There are hundreds of options, so you can find one that feels good for you and even add it to your self-care routine by choosing a relaxing scent.
• Bathe every other day rather than every day to prevent drying out the skin.
• Drink plenty of water and other fluids.
• Limit caffeine, which dries you out.
• Use humidifiers to add moisture to the air.
• Avoid sun exposure, especially during the heat of the day, between 10 am and 4 pm.
• If you go out in the sun, use sunscreen, wear a hat, and wear loose-fitting clothing that covers as much exposed skin as possible.