Your paper thin skin did not happen overnight, but you may have only noticed it more recently.
The truth is, as you get older so too does your skin. The skin cell turnover gradually declines, which means you are producing less and less collage and elastin, and the hyalauronic acid that keeps your skin youthful and smooth diminishes. Of course there are creams and serums on the market that claim to be able to rejuvenate your skin and have you shaving the years off your appearance, but you don’t have to turn to chemicals. If you have noticed dark patches on your skin that seem to take longer than expected to heal, read on.
It’s not just the ageing process that will have your skin thinning. Those who spent a lot of time in the sun in their youth will eventually develop thin skin; so too might those who take blood thinners such as aspirin, Warfarin etc.; and there are some medical conditions related to thin skin; lifestyle factors such as smoking, long-term exposure to steroids, low body mass index and even menopause can contribute to ageing skin; not to mention genetic predispositions to bruising and thin skin.
As frustrating as all this is there is no need to panic. In fact, there are a number of ways you can improve your skin and prevent those dark patches and bruises.
Roughly two in three Australians will be diagnosed with skin cancer by the time they are 70, according to the Cancer Council Australia, and we know that the sun can have a thinning effect on the skin too. After you get 10 minutes of unimpaired sunshine (you know, to boost your vitamin D levels) slip, slop and slap. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, a broad-brimmed hat and sunscreen.
Drinking plenty of water will keep your skin hydrated and elastic. Using moisturising products on your skin can also assist (this is where those creams with hyalauronic acid or alpha hydroxy acid can help because they give the skin an instant rehydration). Consuming fish oil, flaxseed or borage seed oil is said to strengthen weak skin, while vitamin C (an anti-oxidant) and vitamin E (an anti-inflammatory) are known to help improve skin tone.
Your kitchen holds the key to your ability to maintain the rate at which your skin ages.
Eating berries and foods with a high antioxidant content will assist in the prevention of cellular and skin damage.
Adding turmeric to your topical cream and applying it can assist in anti-ageing of the skin. Turmeric is an antioxidant and eliminates free radicals, thereby preventing thin skin.
Read more: The best anti-inflammatory foods
Dairy products and leafy green vegetables contain vitamin A, which has been found to protect against damage from the environment and prevent premature ageing. You can get a vitamin A cream, which can be applied to your skin, but you will need to talk to your doctor.
Of course, any alternative or herbal therapy or treatment you a considering starting should be done in consultation with your health care professional. This is especially important if you are taking any prescribed medications or are being treated for a medical condition.
IMPORTANT LEGAL INFO This article is of a general nature and FYI only, because it doesn’t take into account your personal health requirements or existing medical conditions. That means it’s not personalised health advice and shouldn’t be relied upon as if it is. Before making a health-related decision, you should work out if the info is appropriate for your situation and get professional medical advice.