Although we’d rather not admit it, our skin becomes thinner and more sensitive as we age. Thinning skin is not medically a problem, but it can lead to more bruising and can be more easily damaged (Read more about How to Protect Thin Skin From Bruising & Tears). However, there are many ways to manage the symptoms and to prevent further thinning!
Kinship Comfort Brands’ Skin Protection Sleeves help protect thinning skin. Discover our skin protection sleeves here.
Skin Basics
Each of the skin’s three layers plays a different role:
- The deepest layer is the hypodermis, consisting of tissue fat and sweat glands.
- The middle layer is the dermis, holding the nerves and blood supply.
- The outer layer of skin is the epidermis, protecting against dirt and bacteria.
Thin skin usually means that the epidermis is less thick than it should be. The hypodermis can also have less fat in it, which can also cause thinner, more damage-prone skin.
Wearing a Leg Skin Protection Sleeve while playing with or training pets can also prevent scratches or tears.
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What Causes Thinning Skin?
- A natural part of getting older, aging is the most common cause of thin skin. And aging comes with wrinkles, furrows, less skin elasticity, and dry skin that is easily damaged.
- Sunlight’s UVA and UVB rays can kill or damage skin cells. It can play a critical role in thinning the skin over time. Read how to protect yourself from the sun here.
- Drinking Alcohol and Smoking can cause premature skin thinning and aging over time.
- Steroid creams can shrink the cells in your epidermis. Tissue connecting skin cells can also be affected, leaving the skin wrinkled or loose.
- Other medications like topical steroids can cause thinning. Usually in the form of a cream or ointment, it’s used to treat skin conditions, such as eczema.
Wearing long sleeves or Skin Protection Sleeves while doing yard work or gardening can help.
Using Topical Steroids only causes thinning if used for an extended period of time. You can reverse this by stopping use, but it can take a few weeks for the skin to renew.
How to Protect Yourself Against Thinning Skin
- Wear long-sleeved shirts, long pants and wide-brimmed hats.
- Wear UV Skin Protection Sleeves to protect your forearms when doing yard work, gardening, or activities where your arms or legs could get scratched.
- Kinship Comfort Brands’ KinGrip tubular badge or rolled gauze bandages can also help! (Curious about the Tubular Bandage Size Chart? Here is a useful guide for you!)
- Avoid being out in the sun for extended periods of time. When being outdoors can’t be avoided, use a water-resistant, broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
- Re-apply every 2 hours, or more if you’re swimming or sweating.
- Use a good moisturizing cream to keep skin moisturized and protected, and make it less likely to tear.
- Vitamin A (Retinol or Retinoids) can help prevent further thinning of the skin. Talk to your doctor if planning on using these products!
- Drink lots of fluids, keeping your skin hydrated and less likely to be damaged. Eating a well-balanced diet for overall health is also key!
- Vitamin E (found in avocados and almonds) contains healthy fats, which can replenish your skin and keep it supple.
Prevention is always the best option, as specific treatment is not available for thin skin. Keeping the skin hydrated and protecting the skin from sunlight may help to prevent further thinning of the skin.
More Resources:
- Read How To Protect Thin Skin From Bruising & Tears here.
- How to manage Thin Skin: Medical News Today
- Healthy Aging: Mayo Clinic
