Collagen loss makes the skin less able to repair itself, causing thin, fragile skin.
#2: Can Thin Skin Be Thickened? The short answer: yes, skin can be thickened. While you can't entirely reverse the process of skin thinning, there are ways to increase collagen, repair elastin, and improve your skin's overall appearance.
Fragile or thin skin that tears easily is a common problem in older adults. Aging, sun exposure and genetics all play a role in thinning skin. Certain medications, such as long-term use of corticosteroids, also can weaken the skin and blood vessels in the skin.
It is not possible to reverse thinning of the skin. However, moisturizing the skin can make it more flexible and less likely to break. Anything that makes the skin red or sore is likely to be damaging it. A person with thin skin might need to protect it from damage.
Unfortunately, you can't reverse the process of skin thinning. However, there are treatments available that are designed to increase collagen production, repair elastin, and improve the overall appearance of thinning skin.
Retinol cream with vitamin A is thought to be effective in the treatment of thin skin. In fact, according to a 2018 study, topical retinoids are a mainstay in reversing thin skin. 4 Be sure to consult with your healthcare provider about the use of a topical retinol.
Eat foods that are rich in vitamins C and E.
Foods rich in vitamin C help to increase collagen production, which helps to thicken the skin over time. Foods that are rich in vitamin C include citrus fruits, oranges, kiwi fruit, broccoli, tomatoes and cauliflower. The daily requirement of vitamin C is 75-90 mg.
Fatty fish, such as salmon, mackerel, and herring, are excellent foods for healthy skin. They're rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids, which are important for maintaining skin health (1). Omega-3 fatty acids are necessary to help keep skin thick, supple, and moisturized.
The most common sign of thin skin is that it seems almost transparent. In such cases, the individual may be able to see his/her tendons, bones, or veins very easily. This skin type is prone to damage, and patients may even notice tears or bruises on their skin after the most minor injuries.
Both collagen and elastin give our soft tissue and skin stretch and resilience. Fibroblasts start to become less active as early as our twenties, so skin thinning can begin when we are still very young (1). Most people won't notice this until they reach their sixties and their skin becomes more fragile and delicate(2).
Topical retinoids are a mainstay in reversing thin skin. Multiple studies report improvement of skin atrophy after topical tretinoin was applied to the forearms in photoaged skin of older adults. Topical retinoids have been shown to stimulate epidermal hyperplasia, possibly by inducing HB-EGF.
Vitamin C–squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin.
Vitamin C-squalene bioconjugate promotes epidermal thickening and collagen production in human skin.
Vitamin E and Vitamin C work in tandem to strengthen skin cell walls. Typically, our bodies produce enough Vitamin E through the oily substance in our skin's pores known as sebum.
If the skin does get injured, apply cold compresses and keep the area elevated. Then, apply warm compresses to increase circulation to speed up healing of the bruise. Over-the-counter medications, such as Vitamin K creams, may help bruises fade away quicker.
It's been shown repeatedly that omega-3 fatty acids are essential for increasing collagen production, and therefore, making our skin stronger and improving the barrier function of our skin. Vitamin C also plays a major role in collagen, and you'll find it in foods like broccoli, leafy greens and citrus fruits.
Exposure to light is a top cause of premature aging: Sun exposure causes many skin problems. Ultraviolet (UV) light and exposure to sunlight age your skin more quickly than it would age naturally. The result is called photoaging, and it's responsible for 90% of visible changes to your skin.
When are we considered old? For women, the old age threshold is about 73; for men, 70.
Citrus fruits (oranges, tangerines, tangelos, grapefruits) have thick rinds with thin membranes inside that separate the flesh into segments.
Papaya. This delicious superfood is rich in a variety of antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that may help to improve skin elasticity and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.