From around the age of 25 the first signs of aging start to become apparent on the surface of the skin. Fine lines appear first and wrinkles,
a loss of volume and a loss of elasticity become noticeable over time.

Our skin ages for a variety of different reasons. Many of the causes of skin aging are entirely natural and cannot be altered.
There are, however, several factors that can cause skin to age prematurely, and these can be influenced.
A holistic approach to lifestyle and skincare can help to reduce the visible signs of skin aging and prevent premature skin aging.

Understanding the way that internal and external factors affect skin's structure and function can help to inform choices about treatment and care.

There are three main signs of skin aging and each one effects facial skin in a different way:

Wrinkles The first noticeable signs of skin aging are fine lines and wrinkles. Small, shallow wrinkles known as laughter lines or crow´s
feet tend to become noticeable at the outer corners of the eyes.
These may appear around the age of 30, but we all age differently and how we age depends on our genetics and lifestyle.
These fine lines are followed by wrinkles on the forehead. At first these are only visible when our skin moves as we change
our facial expressions and they are known as dynamic wrinkles. As we age further they become more prominent and evolve into
permanent wrinkles that are visible even when our face is static. Frowning can cause vertical lines between the brows.

Loss of volume It can be difficult to identify a loss of volume and facial contours. The first signs of a loss of volume in the lips tends to be when lipstick
starts to bleed. A loss of facial volume tends to result in sagging skin, a flattening of the cheeks and the appearance of a “turkey neck”.
It changes the overall appearance of the face which can look negative, sad or tired. The fold that develops
between the nose and the mouth, known as the nasolabial fold, is also linked to sagging skin and a loss of volume.

Loss of elasticity and deep wrinkles As our skin matures its structure weakens and it loses elasticity and firmness. Skin also becomes drier,
appears more `crepey` and loses the radiance we associate with youthful skin.
Again, because our skin is as individual as we are, these changes become visible at different ages but are most commonly
experienced by those who are 50+.

How can I care for aging skin and reduce premature skin aging? Understanding the skin’s aging process informs decisions about how best to care for it.
The three key signs of aging: fine lines and wrinkles, sagging skin and a loss of volume and a loss of elasticity,
and deep wrinkles are examined in more detail in separate articles.

A holistic approach to lifestyle and skincare can help to prevent premature skin aging and reduce the visible signs of skin aging.