You may notice the following changes as your skin ages. It becomes thinner and loses fat, looking less smooth than it used to. Veins and bones become more prominent through the skin. Scratches, cuts and bruises take longer to heal. The years of tanning or being out in the sun lead to wrinkles, age spots, dryness or cancer.

Many seniors struggle with dry skin. There are many possible reasons for this, including being out in the sun, not drinking enough liquids, being in dry air, smoking, stress, losing sweat and oil glands with age. Dry skin may also be caused by certain health problems such as diabetes or kidney disease. Habits such as using too much soap, antiperspirant, or perfume will make a dry skin problem worse. Some medicines can also make the skin drier or itchier. Lotions, creams and ointments for dry skin can go a long way to soothe dry skin when used regularly.

There are some simple things you can do to protect your skin, and to make it look and feel better as you age. Keeping your skin healthy in the summertime involves a few simple tips. Remember that a little sun exposure is good for you, but in order to keep your skin healthy, you should:

• Limit your time in the sun. Try not to be out in the sun between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest. Be aware that being near water can magnify the effects of sun.
• Be sure to use sunscreen anytime you go out. Look for sunscreen with a high SPF and apply it 30 minutes before you go out into the sun. It should be reapplied about every 2 hours., or more often if you are swimming
• Wear protective clothing, especially a hat and sunglasses
• Don’t tan outside or in tanning beds or with sunlamps

Older people often bruise more easily than they used to, and it can take longer for those bruises to heal. In addition, some medicines or diseases can cause bruising. If you notice bruises and don’t know how you got them, you should see your doctor.

Wrinkles, of course, are a normal part of aging. This happens because things in the environment like ultraviolet light cause skin to lose elasticity. Certain habits also contribute to the formation of wrinkles, such as smoking, and repeated facial expressions (such as frowning). There are many claims out there about how to remove wrinkles. the best advice is to see a dermatologist or your regular doctor if you are worried about wrinkles.

Age spots are flat, brown spots often caused by sun exposure. They usually show up on areas of the skin like the hands, face, arms, feet and back. Age spots are harmless, but to prevent more age spots from sun damage, try using a sunscreen regularly.