Skin Health and Aging Factors

Vocabulary practice flashcards covering intrinsic and extrinsic skin aging factors, lifestyle influences, hormonal effects, and the foundational daily skin care regimen.

Extrinsic Aging

Skin deterioration influenced by external factors within an individual's control, including sun (UV) exposure, smoking, alcohol intake, stress, diet, and climate.

Photoaging

Facial skin aging caused by cumulative UV exposure that is estimated to account for $80\%$ of facial aging and is not tied to a specific age.

Elastosis

The thickening of elastic fibers within the dermis, directly caused by smoking.

Vasodilation

An increase in blood flow that can exacerbate skin color, tone, and existing conditions like rosacea, frequently caused by chronic alcohol overuse.

Oxidative Stress

A state induced by air pollutants (such as polycyclic hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds, ozone, and particulate matter) that causes free-radical damage and inflammation, leading to premature aging and dermatitis.

Intrinsic Aging

Skin aging influenced by internal genetics and hormones, resulting naturally in a smooth texture, moderate wrinkles, and some sagging without signs of photoaging.

Genes

Inherited DNA sequences from parents composed of specific protein molecules—numbering between $20,000$ and $25,000$ in humans—that directly affect skin color, cellular function, and disease susceptibility.

Hormones

Chemical messengers produced by organs such as the ovaries, testes, adrenal glands, and thyroid glands that regulate bodily systems; imbalances trigger skin dryness, discoloration, and inflammation.

Perimenopause and Menopause

Life stages in women starting in their $40\text{s}$ characterized by decreased hormone production that diminishes collagen and elastin synthesis; surgical menopause can also occur following a hysterectomy.

Andropause

The stage of life starting in the $40\text{s}$ in men during which decreasing hormone production affects collagen and elastin synthesis.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

A medical intervention used to treat hormonal imbalances that requires administration by a professional trained in endocrinology due to linked risks of cancer and cardiovascular issues.

Phytoestrogens

Plant molecules that mimic estrogen within the body, naturally found in sources like black cohosh, wild yam, sage, clover, and soybeans.

Estrone (E1)

A weak form of estrogen found in women after menopause that can be converted into estradiol.

Estradiol (E2)

The strongest form of estrogen, produced by the ovaries, which can be converted from estrone.

Estriol (E3)

A form of estrogen produced during pregnancy that cannot be converted to estradiol.

Testosterone

A hormone produced by the testes in men and in low levels by the ovaries and adrenal glands in women; imbalance leads to dermis thinning, increased acne, facial hair growth, and impaired healing.

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

A hormone produced by the pituitary gland that regulates metabolism, temperature, and cellular health; gland dysfunction causes dry skin, pruritus, erythema, dermatitis, hair loss, and hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.

Phosphates

Chemical compounds found in carbonated beverages that cause premature skin aging.

Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs)

Enzymes whose levels increase under UV exposure and advanced glycation end products, resulting in the structural breakdown of collagen and elastin.

Skin Stress Response

A biological cascade wherein the brain or skin perceives stress, causing the brain, adrenal glands, pituitary glands, and skin cells to produce chemicals like cortisol that trigger inflammation, nerve sensitivity, and breakouts.

Circadian Rhythms

Biological cycles governed by a $24\text{-hour}$ internal clock managed by the hypothalamus in response to light and darkness that directly dictate cellular renewal and tissue repair.

Ambient Humidity

The level of atmospheric moisture; low levels deplete water from the stratum corneum to create fine wrinkles, while elevated levels combined with heat can cause irritation, rashes, and fungal infections.

High Altitude

Elevations of $5,000\,\text{ft}$ ($1,524\,\text{m}$) and above characterized by reduced humidity, less oxygen, and intense UV exposure that increase the risk of skin cancer, broken capillaries, and irritation.

Glycation

The non-enzymatic crosslinking of glucose molecules to protein molecules, producing advanced glycation end products (AGEs) that cause tissue stiffness, loss of elasticity, and deep wrinkles.

Advanced Glycation End Products (AGEs)

Molecules generated by internal sugar binding that elevate MMP levels, degrade collagen, accelerate visible skin aging, and correlate with diseases such as dementia and cataracts.

Carnosine

A dietary compound found in beef, pork, and poultry that has been proven to help reduce the internal effects of glycation.

Cleanse

The initial step of a daily skin care regimen involving makeup removal and the application of an appropriate non-stripping cleanser in upward circular movements twice daily using warm water.

Tone

The second daily skin care step utilizing a water-based product to further cleanse, soothe, smooth, and restore the skin to its natural pH balance.

Apply Serum (Treat)

The skin care step where performance products containing concentrated active ingredients are applied between toner and moisturizer from the upper chest to the hairline to target specific skin concerns.

Humectants

Cosmetic ingredients found in moisturizers that attract and bind water molecules to help preserve hydration in the stratum corneum.

Protect

The final daily skin care step involving the application of broad-spectrum sunscreen shielding against UVA and UVB rays at least $15\,\text{minutes}$ prior to daylight exposure.