How Melanin Forms
The cascade of events that can result in aged-looking skin
As skin ages:
• The average moisture content of the stratum corneum is slightly decreased.
• Drier skin manifests in fine lines.
• The epidermis thins out.
• The dermal papilla, which is the anchor of the epidermis, flattens out, resulting in
loose, tissue-like texture.
• Cell renewal rate slows down, making healing slower.
• Circulation is impaired.
• Desquamation becomes uneven, affecting the evenness of skin tone.
• The optical characteristics of the stratum corneum, its color, and its
translucency change (becoming opaquer) and move from pink
toward yellow and gray.
• Environmental exposure and changing metabolism impact the
structural proteins, making skin less elastic and less firm.
• A lifetime of repeated movement results in "expression
lines" around the eyes and mouth.
• Wrinkles form at the dermal layer of the skin due to
a degradation of the elastin structure.
• Elastin loses its "snap," allowing skin to
become laxer and loose looking.
