1. Skin Care at Every Age:
Protecting and Preserving a
Vital Organ
Naheed Abbasi, MD MPH
Summit Medical Group
April 25, 2012

2. Skin as a Vital Organ

The skin is the body’s first defense against injury,
infection.

Skin varies in thickness in different areas and provides
remarkable protection against outside forces.

As we age and face physical stressors, our skin also
changes

Understanding the skin empowers us to better protect it.

3. Infancy and Early Childhood
• “Baby skin” is both rich in lipids and naïve to the effects of sun
• Most children have supple skin and few moles if any
• Healthy babies need to be bathed every second or third day,
moisturized just after they are bathed, and cared for
meticulously in the diaper area
• Sunscreens are advised after the age of 6 months and sun
avoidance in midday hours is better than frequent reapplication
of sunscreen

4. Moisturizing the Skin
• Thicker moisturizers provide greater moisture than thinner
ones

Lotions < Creams < Ointments
• The best time to moisturize is after a bath
• Short, warm baths or showers are better than long, hot ones
• Humidifiers provide enhanced moisturize during cold weather
and when the skin encounters dry heat

5. Management of Eczema
(Atopic Dermatitis)
• Eczema is a common condition of childhood often seen in
families with seasonal allergies, food allergies
• Management of eczema begins with moisturizers and
humidifiers and extends to include topical ointments, light
therapy and even oral medication
• Babies who suddenly develop skin rashes should be
evaluated as possibly having a food-related trigger
including cow’s milk, egg, nuts, etc.
• There is a marked seasonal variation in eczema severity
with winter being the most challenging time for most
sufferers

6. Adolescent and Young Adult Skin
• Post-puberty, the effect of sex hormones drives a change
toward oilier skin on the face and increased sweat and oil
gland activity on the face, groin, underams
• Common issues are acne, heavy sweating and the
appearance of moles in this age group
• Moles increase in number during childhood, adolescence
and early adulthood and skin examinations should begin
around age 18 to ensure appropriate surveillance against
skin cancer
• Two major threats to young adult skin: smoking and
excessive ultraviolet light. Tanning beds increase
melanoma risk dramatically

7. Acne
• A common problem facing the population aged 12-50.
• Not just a condition of teenage skin
• Link to diet has never been firmly established
• Hormones play a definite role
• Treatments range from topical creams and gels to pills and
even certain laser therapies. Hormone modulation can help
in certain situations.

8. Moles and Skin Examinations
• The number of moles increases significantly in teen and
early adult years
• Since almost ½ of sun exposure occurs before the age of
18, skin exams should begin in the college years
• Tanning beds are the single greatest threat to skin cancer
prevention in young adults
• While non-melanoma skin cancer is not directly linked to
moles, routine skin exams screen for these skin cancers as
well
• As patients, be mindful not just of changing moles but any
rough spot or growth that does not heal in a matter of
weeks and looks unlike other growths

9. Sunscreens Unraveled
• SPF quantifies UVB protection, not UVA
• Physical blockers help to protect against UVA and include
zinc oxide and titanium dioxide
• SPF 30 is adequate protection in daily life; higher levels
afford greater protection during recreation
• Re-application of sunscreen every 2-3 hours when
sweating or wet is vital

10. Adult Skin (age 50 and above)

Adults post-50 note certain predictable findings in their
skin: increased dryness, hair thinning, and potentially the
growth of unwanted hair

Dryness results in the loss of lipids in the epidermis

The appearance of wrinkles and brown spots is a function of
direct sun damage and thinning of fat and bone that results
in the skin hanging more loosely on its original frame

11. How to Choose Cosmetic Products
 Consider the key components and try to understand them
 Retinol: anti-fine line, subtle pigmentary improvement,
exfoliation
 Kojic and azeleic acid: improve pigment, reduce inflammation
 Vitamin C (ascorbic acid): collagen synthesis, structural
integrity of skin, wound healing and luster; antioxidant
 Ceramides: replete lipids in dry skin to restore moisture
 Vitamin E: antioxidant, wound healing

12. In-office Anti-Aging Treatments
 Botulinum toxins help to reduce wrinkles produced by
muscle movement
 “Fillers” volumize areas of sunken skin to make deep lines
less deep and hollow areas less hollow
 Lasers have a multitude of functions including hair removal,
skin tightening, improvement of brown spots
 Non-invasive skin tightening devices help to redefine areas
that sag with time, including jowls and jawline

13. Conclusions
• An understanding of the skin helps to identify predictable
changes in skin with aging
• An understanding of natural events helps to empower us to
counter these events with changes in behavior, selection of
skin care products, and in-office procedures
• The skin is a vital organ which cannot be neglected

14. For more information
Call (908) 273.4300
Visit: summitmedicalgroup.com
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