Your skin

What's happening

With age, the skin thins and becomes less elastic and more fragile. Fatty tissue just below the skin decreases as well. Bruising may happen more easily. As the body makes less natural oils, the skin may become drier. Wrinkles, age spots and small growths called skin tags also become more common with age.

What you can do

Some habits for healthy skin include:

• Be gentle. Bathe or shower in warm water rather than hot. Use mild soap and moisturizer.
• Take safety measures. When you're outdoors, use sunscreen and wear protective clothing. Check your skin regularly and report changes to your healthcare professional.
• Don't smoke. If you smoke or use other tobacco products, ask your healthcare professional to help you quit. Smoking plays a part in skin damage such as wrinkling. And get a healthcare checkup if you notice skin changes such as spots that are dark or grow larger, sores that don't heal, or bleeding moles.