Thin Skin: Causes, Symptoms, Prevention, And Treatment

Your skin becomes thinner, sensitive, and wrinkled as you grow older. Other major causes of thin skin include excess UV exposure, certain medications, and unhealthy lifestyle habits. Unfortunately, there is no proven way to reverse the impact of thinning skin. However, you can follow some steps to prevent skin damage and improve the appearance of premature aging. This article will guide you through the causes and symptoms of thin skin and various ways to prevent it from exacerbating. Read on!

What Is Thin Skin?

As we age, our skin tends to become thinner and may develop a tissue paper-like texture (also called crepey skin) (1). This is common in areas like the face, neck, and hands as the skin in these parts is thinner than the skin on other body parts (2).

The epidermis (outer layer) loses volume and its capacity to withstand mechanical forces as we age. The dermis (second layer) containing the fibroblasts (which produce collagen and elastin) also loses volume. The naturally occurring hyaluronic acid in the extracellular matrix (non-cellular part of the tissue) also diminishes with age. All these factors affect the integrity of the skin and its appearance, causing thin skin.

Trivia

Thin skin is easily affected by the elements. That is why “thin-skinned” is often idiomatically used to signify someone who does not have a tolerance for criticism.

While this is a part of the aging process, multiple factors can accelerate the skin degradation process and cause premature aging and thin skin.

Causes Of Thin Skin

The following factors increase the risk of thin skin:

• UV Exposure: UV rays can damage the skin cells and cause photodamage, including sagging, wrinkles, and pigmentation. Exposure to tanning beds can show a similar impact on the skin.
• Lifestyle Habits: Habits like smoking, drinking alcohol, and poor diet can affect overall health and contribute to skin thinning (2).
• Medication And Steroids: Excessive use of topical steroids may inhibit the fibroblasts, affecting collagen and elastin production and the natural hyaluronic acid synthesis in the body (3). This causes dryness, lack of moisture, and skin thinning. Medications like aspirin, blood thinners, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can also contribute to thin and fragile skin.
• Other Factors: Other factors like allergic reactions, changes in climate, exposure to certain chemicals, and indoor heating may also contribute to skin thinning.

Look out for the below symptoms to check if your skin is thinning or not. Based on your symptoms, you may further consult a dermatologist for treatment.

Symptoms Of Thin Skin

The most common signs which indicate that your skin is thinning are:

• Skin that appears thin, excessively dry, and transparent.
• Skin that looks dull, dehydrated, flaky and dry.
• The top layer of the skin (epidermis) appears thin.
• Skin that bruises easily after minor trauma.

Protecting the skin is crucial to prevent premature skin thinning. While you cannot reverse skin thinning and turn it thick, you can take steps to prevent further degradation and make it appear healthy. Let’s learn how.

Tips To Prevent Thin Skin And Further Damage

You can prevent premature thin skin by protecting it from external aggressors and damage. Here are a few tips:

• Wear a sun protection cream daily. Choose a product that offers an SPF rating of 30 and higher and provides broad-spectrum protection from UVA and UVB rays (look for PA++++ ratings). Cover and protect your skin, especially your face, hands, and neck.
• Moisturize your skin regularly to keep it hydrated and maintain the skin elasticity. Focus on your hands (back of the palms and fingers), neck and décolletage, and face (under-eye areas and around the mouth). Use ceramide-based products.
• Reduce your alcohol intake.
• Consume a healthy diet and drink enough fluids to stay hydrated and replenished from the inside. This will help the skin tissues and internal organs get enough nutrients.
• Check for nutritional deficiencies and consult a doctor for supplements.
• Avoid using skin products that are heavily perfumed.
• Use topical retinol to promote collagen and elastin production. This can prevent premature aging, wrinkles, and thin skin (4).
• Peptides, vitamin C serums, and resveratrol serums can also help in repair.

Quick Tip

To protect your skin from the sun during yardwork or gardening, wear a long-sleeved shirt, long pants, and a wide-brimmed hat.

There are several treatment options available for improving your skin health. If you are wondering whether they can thicken your thin and fragile skin, read the next section to find out.

Can Thin Skin Be Thickened? Are There Any Treatment Options?

No. You cannot reverse thin and fragile skin. However, you can consult a dermatologist and go for treatments that may improve its appearance. Some treatment options include:

• Laser skin resurfacing treatment (to reduce visible signs of photodamage)
• Microneedling with radiofrequency (to rejuvenate the skin and boost collagen development)
• Dermal fillers (to give a plump and youthful appearance)
• Hyaluronic acid injectable skin boosters

There are other reasons why you should seek the help of a doctor on this matter.

When To See A Doctor

If home remedies and regular skin care are not improving your skin’s appearance, and if it is bothering you, consult a doctor for intensive treatments. Also, if the skin thinning is caused by medications or an underlying condition, consult a doctor. Treating the underlying condition and changing the medications might help.

Since there is no specific treatment for thin skin, it is better to find ways to prevent it by consulting a doctor well before you notice any serious damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will thin skin grow back?

No, thin skin will not grow back thicker. Following simple tips like moisturizing daily and eating a healthy diet can make your skin more flexible and prevent it from breaking.

At what age does skin start to thin?

Your skin will start thinning and aging from 25 onwards.

If you think your skin is loosing its thickness, watch this video to uncover the signs and symptoms of thinning skin. Learn about the causes, preventive measures, and effective skincare routines to combat thinning skin,

Articles on StyleCraze are backed by verified information from peer-reviewed and academic research papers, reputed organizations, research institutions, and medical associations to ensure accuracy and relevance. Check out our editorial policy for further details.

1. 1. Chronic skin fragility of aging
      https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5788262/
   2. Characteristics of the aging skin
      https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3840548/
   3. Topical Steroid-Damaged Skin
      https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/labs/pmc/articles/PMC4171912/
   4. Topical retinol attenuates stress-induced ageing signs in human skin ex vivo, throughEGFR activation viaEGF, but notERK andAP-1 activation
      https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29704879/

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Dr. Saloni Vora-GalaMBBS, DDV

     

Dr. Saloni Vora-Gala has over 8 years of experience in the field of dermatology and cosmetology, managing and treating common skin, hair, and nail-related issues as well as social issues like leprosy and venereological diseases.

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Ramona SinhaEditor

 

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.

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Anjali SayeeAssociate Editor

Anjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy about hair and skin care is simple: if you love and care for it, it will be healthy.

Read full bio of Anjali Sayee

Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

Swathi has a postgraduate degree in English literature from The English And Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and over three years of experience in writing on beauty, health, and lifestyle. She also has a diploma in English journalism from the Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Kottayam, and is a certified skincare coach.

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