The Skin at Different Ages

This chapter discusses the skin conditions encountered in different age groups. At birth, the skin is covered, wholly or partly, with a whitish slimy layer, the vernix caseosa. Snuffles, coughs and colds are usually considered an inevitable part of the growing-up process and essential for the development of an effective immune system. The skin disorders of adolescents often operate against a background of social and examination stress. Ageing changes in skin are caused by intrinsic factors, which are genetically determined, and extrinsic environmental factors of which the most important are UV exposure and cigarette smoking. In addition, immune responses are relatively defective in aged skin leading to an increased incidence in cutaneous infections and also skin cancers. The normal intrinsic process of ageing leads to a gradually thinned epidermis, reduced pigmentation and fine wrinkles caused by an age-dependent reduction in dermal matrix and elasticity.