Skin is a dynamic organ that requires care and attention. At every stage in the life cycle there are challenges posed, both environmental and genetic, to our skin. This presentation gives an overview of the needs of childhood and adult skin at different stages. Skin care routines, including moisturizers, sunscreens and cosmetic products and techniques covered. http://www.summitmedicalgroup.com/

1. Skin Care at Every Age:
Protecting and Preserving a
Vital Organ
Naheed Abbasi, MD MPH
Summit Medical Group
April 25, 2012

2. Skin as a Vital Organ

The skin is the body’s first defense against injury,
infection.

Skin varies in thickness in different areas and provides
remarkable protection against outside forces.

As we age and face physical stressors, our skin also
changes

Understanding the skin empowers us to better protect it.

3. Infancy and Early Childhood
• “Baby skin” is both rich in lipids and naïve to the effects of sun
• Most children have supple skin and few moles if any
• Healthy babies need to be bathed every second or third day,
moisturized just after they are bathed, and cared for
meticulously in the diaper area
• Sunscreens are advised after the age of 6 months and sun
avoidance in midday hours is better than frequent reapplication
of sunscreen

4. Moisturizing the Skin
• Thicker moisturizers provide greater moisture than thinner
ones

Lotions < Creams < Ointments
• The best time to moisturize is after a bath
• Short, warm baths or showers are better than long, hot ones
• Humidifiers provide enhanced moisturize during cold weather
and when the skin encounters dry heat

5. Management of Eczema
(Atopic Dermatitis)
• Eczema is a common condition of childhood often seen in
families with seasonal allergies, food allergies
• Management of eczema begins with moisturizers and
humidifiers and extends to include topical ointments, light
therapy and even oral medication
• Babies who suddenly develop skin rashes should be
evaluated as possibly having a food-related trigger
including cow’s milk, egg, nuts, etc.
• There is a marked seasonal variation in eczema severity
with winter being the most challenging time for most
sufferers

6. Adolescent and Young Adult Skin
• Post-puberty, the effect of sex hormones drives a change
toward oilier skin on the face and increased sweat and oil
gland activity on the face, groin, underams
• Common issues are acne, heavy sweating and the
appearance of moles in this age group
• Moles increase in number during childhood, adolescence
and early adulthood and skin examinations should begin
around age 18 to ensure appropriate surveillance against
skin cancer
• Two major threats to young adult skin: smoking and
excessive ultraviolet light. Tanning beds increase
melanoma risk dramatically

7. Acne
• A common problem facing the population aged 12-50.
• Not just a condition of teenage skin
• Link to diet has never been firmly established
• Hormones play a definite role
• Treatments range from topical creams and gels to pills and
even certain laser therapies. Hormone modulation can help
in certain situations.

8. Moles and Skin Examinations
• The number of moles increases significantly in teen and
early adult years
• Since almost ½ of sun exposure occurs before the age of
18, skin exams should begin in the college years
• Tanning beds are the single greatest threat to skin cancer
prevention in young adults
• While non-melanoma skin cancer is not directly linked to
moles, routine skin exams screen for these skin cancers as
well
• As patients, be mindful not just of changing moles but any
rough spot or growth that does not heal in a matter of
weeks and looks unlike other growths

9. Sunscreens Unraveled
• SPF quantifies UVB protection, not UVA
• Physical blockers help to protect against UVA and include
zinc oxide and titanium dioxide
• SPF 30 is adequate protection in daily life; higher levels
afford greater protection during recreation
• Re-application of sunscreen every 2-3 hours when
sweating or wet is vital

10. Adult Skin (age 50 and above)

Adults post-50 note certain predictable findings in their
skin: increased dryness, hair thinning, and potentially the
growth of unwanted hair

Dryness results in the loss of lipids in the epidermis

The appearance of wrinkles and brown spots is a function of
direct sun damage and thinning of fat and bone that results
in the skin hanging more loosely on its original frame

11. How to Choose Cosmetic Products
 Consider the key components and try to understand them
 Retinol: anti-fine line, subtle pigmentary improvement,
exfoliation
 Kojic and azeleic acid: improve pigment, reduce inflammation
 Vitamin C (ascorbic acid): collagen synthesis, structural
integrity of skin, wound healing and luster; antioxidant
 Ceramides: replete lipids in dry skin to restore moisture
 Vitamin E: antioxidant, wound healing

12. In-office Anti-Aging Treatments
 Botulinum toxins help to reduce wrinkles produced by
muscle movement
 “Fillers” volumize areas of sunken skin to make deep lines
less deep and hollow areas less hollow
 Lasers have a multitude of functions including hair removal,
skin tightening, improvement of brown spots
 Non-invasive skin tightening devices help to redefine areas
that sag with time, including jowls and jawline

13. Conclusions
• An understanding of the skin helps to identify predictable
changes in skin with aging
• An understanding of natural events helps to empower us to
counter these events with changes in behavior, selection of
skin care products, and in-office procedures
• The skin is a vital organ which cannot be neglected

14. For more information
Call (908) 273.4300
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