The Anti-Aging Advisor

Regardless of a healthy, anti-aging skin routine, there are specific skin issues that tend to appear as we age. Below are descriptions of some of those “age spots,” their causes and cures.

Spider and Varicose Veins

These conditions usually occur on the back and inside of the legs. Varicose veins have a knotted blue or purple appearance and can be a health hazard if complications develop. Spider veins, formed by the dilation of small blood vessels near the skin’s surface, commonly appear on the face and legs. The sunburst pattern of reddish to purple veins does not constitute a health hazard, but they are unattractive.

Both conditions have a hereditary basis and tend to appear as we age. For women, pregnancy and hormonal changes can contribute to the development of enlarged veins. While physicians aren’t entirely sure what causes the condition, they do know that when the walls of healthy veins weaken, blood can collect in “pockets” in the veins. Neither can be prevented, but wearing support hose and maintaining a normal weight can help protect against varicose veins.

There are treatments:

• Sclerotherapy: A chemical solution is injected into the veins causing them to collapse, form scar tissue and permanently close. Other veins take up the blood flow. The therapy requires multiple treatments and on-going treatment may be required. Side effects include swelling, bruising, redness and itching at the injection site.
• Phlebectomy: The enlarged veins are removed through tiny incisions along the course. The treatment is an out-patient procedure.
• Electrodessication: The enlarged veins are sealed off with an electrical current.
• Laser Surgery: Pulses from a laser destroy target areas on enlarged veins.
• Surgical ligation and stripping: This procedure is usually used for larger varicose veins and performed by a vascular surgeon in a hospital setting. The vein is tied off or completely removed.

Shingles

Shingles could very well be the remnants of your childhood case of the chicken pox. Both are caused by the herpes zoster virus. The theory is that the virus lies dormant in nerve tissue for decades. The virus’ reactivation causes shingles. The condition can occur at any age but is more common and more painful in older people.

The symptoms include pain localized along the route of the impacted nerve followed by red and fluid-filled lesions that look like chicken pox. As the virus progresses, more lesions appear and the pain continues to be severe. The active phase can continue for a week or more, but the healing process requires weeks. If you suspect shingles, contact a dermatologist immediately. Treatment with anti-viral drugs is more effective in the early stages of the condition.

Bruising

It’s not uncommon for older people to bruise easily. As our skin becomes thinner and we lose the protective fat pad just under the skin, blood vessels are less protected. However, bruising may be a symptom of a more serious condition, especially if they seem to appear for no reason. If the bruising simply seems disproportionate to the cause, it’s probably an age factor. If bruises appear with no cause, it may be wise to consult a doctor.

Itching Skin

Both aging and exposure to the sun hampers the skin’s ability to moisturize itself. This dry skin is the main cause of itching. Also, at any age a change from a humid climate to an exceptionally dry climate can cause dry, itchy skin. This can be eased with body lotions as the skin becomes accustomed to the change in humidity. Over-the-counter moisturizing products can relieve the itching caused by dry skin. Other causes include sensitivity to fabrics, especially wool, soaps and detergents or allergies to both indoor and outdoor agents. If the itching isn’t relieved by moisturizers, consult a dermatologist.

Liver Spots

Whether referred to as liver spots or age spots, or the medical term lentigines or lentigos, these light to dark brown flat patches are caused by chronic sun exposure with a hereditary component. Age spots have smooth edges and are not cancerous. Pigmented lesions resemble age spots but have uneven edges and can be melanoma. Age spots can be removed by a dermatologist; pigmented lesions should be evaluated by a dermatologist.