Skin And The Aging Process: Skin Health

Content provided by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School

Skin and the aging process

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It seems a paradox: The top layer of skin is replaced about once a month, so why does skin age? Part of the aging process is genetic. Just as your genetic makeup determines your eye color and whether your hair is curly or straight, genes also have some say in whether your skin retains a firm texture into your 60s and 70s, or begins to wrinkle and sag during your 40s. The breakdown of collagen and elastin that leads to droopy, lax skin occurs at different rates in different people.

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Last updated:	July 20, 2007

Medical content reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School. Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.

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