What happens to the elasticity of the skin with age?

What happens to the elasticity of the skin with age?

• A. Loses elasticity
• B. Gains elasticity
• C. No change
• D. Becomes more elastic

Answer: (A)

With aging, the skin’s supporting framework—collagen and elastin in the dermis—becomes less able to function. Collagen production slows, existing fibers break down, and cross-linking increases, making the dermal tissue stiffer and less able to snap back after stretching. Elastin fibers also lose their recoil. Add in drier, thinner skin from decreased moisture and sebaceous activity, and the overall resilience of the skin declines. These changes mean the skin becomes less elastic, leading to sagging and more noticeable wrinkles over time. So, losing elasticity is the expected outcome as we age, not gaining or maintaining the same elasticity.

With aging, the skin’s supporting framework—collagen and elastin in the dermis—becomes less able to function. Collagen production slows, existing fibers break down, and cross-linking increases, making the dermal tissue stiffer and less able to snap back after stretching. Elastin fibers also lose their recoil. Add in drier, thinner skin from decreased moisture and sebaceous activity, and the overall resilience of the skin declines. These changes mean the skin becomes less elastic, leading to sagging and more noticeable wrinkles over time. So, losing elasticity is the expected outcome as we age, not gaining or maintaining the same elasticity.