Ageing is universal. However, the physical manifestations of ageing vary greatly between individuals. Skin ageing is typically defined morphologically as the development of wrinkles, uneven texture, pigmentation and telangiectasia.1 The drivers of skin ageing can be classified into intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Intrinsic factors are those that we cannot control, namely our genes, whereas extrinsic factors are modifiable and often environmental, such as those caused by smoking, sun exposure and nutrition.2 Intrinsic ageing is unavoidable but its impact is superimposed by extrinsic factors, thus better understanding and control of extrinsic factors is key to limiting the impact of time on the skin.
The intrinsic factors of skin ageing (i.e. one’s genes) are predetermined. Those of genetically male sex have an increased predisposition to demonstrate the physical signs of skin ageing over their…
