
The amount of damage you get during these decades dramatically affects how your skin turns out. You can’t go back and change how well your parents protected you from the sun. If you’re in your 20s-30s, prevention is critically important. That means applying sunscreen to the face, neck, chest, hands, and arms every morning - not just the days you’ll be at the pool. UV light doesn’t destroy your skin in one day. Once your skin is thin, there’s not much you can do to reverse the effects. Each time you’re in the sun without sunscreen, even if it’s just commuting to work with your hands on the wheel, that UV light is silently destroying your skin. Cue the appearance of aged skin.īut what if you’ve got great skin? What if you don’t get freckles or moles when you tan? UV light is still thinning your skin. Why? Without the skin’s elasticity, the blood vessels don’t have enough scaffolding and support to bounce back after injury.

As its ability to snap back diminishes, so does the thickness of the dermis. The sun (and tanning beds) cause a reaction where the dermis loses its elasticity. Ultraviolet light has the biggest impact on the thinness our skin. Genetics undoubtedly contribute to the problem of thin skin, but they’re not the most important factor. If you see tendons and veins on your forearms and the backs of your hands, you’re likely genetically predisposed to thinner skin. Genetics play a significant role in determining how thick your skin appears. The next layer, the dermis, is what really affects the thickness of your skin. You keep this layer intact by hydrating (moisturizing) it so it’s less likely to crack and open to infection. It keeps the bad stuff (bacteria, viruses, water, etc.) out while keeping moisture in. The top layer provides a barrier between your skin and the world. Understanding Your SkinĬonsider the 3 components of skin: epidermis (the top barrier), dermis (containing tissue, hair follicles, and sweat glands), and the hypodermis (a layer of fat and tissue underneath it all).

Here’s your guide to understanding your skin’s thickness and doing what’s necessary to keep it from thinning over time. Thin skin is a common effect of sun exposure and aging, but we can always work toward preventing further damage.

Skin that doesn’t show each bump and bruise, or tear easily, resulting in cuts from even the slightest abrasions. Have you ever wished you had a little thicker skin? Not the ability to roll with the punches, rebound quickly, and not let things get to you, but actual thick skin.
