Question: I am a 63-year-old man, and the skin on my hands and forearms has thinned to the point that a minor bump or scrape will cut, tear, or leave blood spots. Is there anything I can do to help remedy this condition? Is it a warning of something more serious?
Dr. Hibberd's Answer:
Unfortunately, normal aging of our skin leaves the dermal layer (the layer of cells that support the outer skin) relatively deprived of supporting elastin and subcutaneous tissue. The skin becomes less elastic, which leads to the tissue tears and scrapes so often seen in aging skin. Using moisturizer and reducing sun exposure have helped many reduce this problem.
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