Aging skin: histology, physiology, and pathology.

Skin is a complex organ covering the entire surface of the body. Aged skin is characterized by appearance of wrinkles, laxity, and pigmentary irregularities. These changes occur under the influence of intrinsic and extrinsic factors, with sun exposure being the most deleterious to the skin. Skin changes associated with aging are the focus of many surgical and nonsurgical procedures aimed to improve the appearance of skin. Knowledge of skin histology and physiology will deepen the understanding of cutaneous changes associated with aging and will promote optimal cosmetic and functional patient outcomes.

[1]  J. Kanitakis,et al.  Anatomy, histology and immunohistochemistry of normal human skin. , 2002, European journal of dermatology : EJD.

[2]  C. Zouboulis.  Acne and sebaceous gland function. , 2004, Clinics in dermatology.

[3]  J. McGrath,et al.  Anatomy and Organization of Human Skin , 2008 .

[4]  E. Jacobsen,et al.  Age-related changes in sebaceous wax ester secretion rates in men and women. , 1985, The Journal of investigative dermatology.

[5]  B. Gilchrest,et al.  Effects of aging and chronic sun exposure on melanocytes in human skin. , 1979, The Journal of investigative dermatology.

[6]  Noreen Heer Nicol,et al.  Anatomy and Physiology of the Skin , 2005, Dermatology nursing.

[7]  A M Kligman,et al.  Proliferative activity of the sebaceous glands of the aged. , 1978, The Journal of investigative dermatology.

[8]  R. Winkelmann.  The Merkel cell system and a comparison between it and the neurosecretory or APUD cell system. , 1977, The Journal of investigative dermatology.

[9]  Reconstructive Surgeons.  Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery , 1994 .

[10]  V. Duance,et al.  Type I and III collagen content and fibre distribution in normal human skin during ageing , 1987, The British journal of dermatology.

[11]  Arthur Rook,et al.  Rook's Textbook of Dermatology , 2004 .

[12]  L. Baumann,et al.  Skin ageing and its treatment , 2007, The Journal of pathology.

[13]  W. Montagna,et al.  Structural changes in aging human skin. , 1979, The Journal of investigative dermatology.

[14]  N. Cauna,et al.  THE FINE STRUCTURE OF MEISSNER's TOUCH CORPUSCLES OF HUMAN FINGERS , 1960, The Journal of biophysical and biochemical cytology.

[15]  A. Cantor,et al.  The effect of aging and chronic sun exposure on human Langerhans cell populations. , 1984, The Journal of investigative dermatology.

[16]  Paul A. J. Kolarsick,et al.  Anatomy and Physiology of the Skin , 2011 .