The Ageing Process

Learning the art of ageing someone's skin is important as it is a vital skill needed when working in TV and film as well as theatre. My knowledge of what happens to the skin during the ageing process is limited, and I felt it vital to me to research this so that I am able to create more accurate depictions on the skin depending on the stage of the ageing process.

The first main factor in ageing skin is that the regeneration of new cells becomes slower which causes a dulling effect on the skin. The production of elastin and collagen becomes slower and these are the two key elements which create plump and firm skin. As the production slows skin becomes looser and this results in the development of wrinkles. Wrinkles begin to appear in someone's 20's, become more apparent in the 30's and wrinkles become deeper and tend to appear in areas where muscle movement is high. In the 40's lines start to appear around the mouth, and can be more severe in people who smoke. When you reach your 50's wrinkles on the skin start to become their highest as the skin begins to sag. The skin becomes looser over time as our bodies begin to shrink, which can result in loose skin, for example jowls on the face. The skin becomes drier, which can cause itching, this is because the body produces less oils which causes less hydration in the skin.  Skin also becomes thinner because the fatty layer which is located below the epidermis becomes less, which means that the skin is more delicate and prone to bruises. The skin also is harder to mend, for example after a scratch. Veins also become more apparent as the skin is thinner.  As you age, photo ageing becomes more common, this is where sun spots, liver spots and freckles appear more frequently.

This research has been useful as I now feel more confident in my knowledge and ability to produce a more accurate aged face.

Sources:

https://au.lifestyle.yahoo.com/new-idea/a/15179307/skin-ageing-how-does-it-work/

http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/beauty/anti-aging/5-ways-skin-changes-as-you-age.htm#page=5