Skin changes with aging and disease.
Skin undergoes numerous macroscopic changes during the aging process. These alterations in the skin result from both intrinsic changes to the cells and connective tissue of the skin that are inherent with the chronologic aging of the individual and changes as a result of environmental insults to the organ, particularly ultraviolet irradiation. The combination of these factors produces a tissue which possesses quite different attributes compared with the skin of a young individual and which may result in characteristic lesions, both malignant and benign. Understanding these changes and the underlying mechanisms for them will help to treat older individuals in whom specific lesions develop as well as help to prevent the occurrence of these pathologic conditions.
Jacobson
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Division of Dermatology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida 32610, USA.
Flowers
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