Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWhat It IsSymptomsCausesTreatmentWhen to See a ProviderPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
What It Is
Symptoms
Causes
Treatment
When to See a Provider
Prevention
Thin skin is a result of thinning of the outermost layer of the skin, called the epidermis. It is most common in older adults. Thin skin is usually most visible on the face, arms, and hands. A person with thin skin may find they can see the veins, tendons, bones, and capillaries under the skin of their hands and arms.
Dean Mitchell / Getty Images
What Is Thin Skin?
Thinning of the skin, or skin atrophy, can occur in the epidermis (the outermost layer of skin) or in the dermis (the middle layer of skin).
Thinning of the epidermis causes transparent skin. The dermis thins due to reduced production of collagen and the breakdown of collagen fibers, which can weaken the junction between the dermis and epidermis. This can lead to visible signs of aging such as wrinkles and sagging skin.
As skin thins, the blood vessels in the dermis become more fragile. This results in bruising, bleeding under the skin (purpura), andcherryangiomas.
Thin skintears more easily because it loses some insulation and padding—this can lead to pressure ulcers and infections. As you age, your skin takes longer to heal itself. Medical conditions like diabetes, blood vessel changes, or a weakened immune system can also affect the time it takes for skin tears to heal.
There is some scientific evidence that certain medications can affect your skin. Although more research is needed, the long-term use ofcorticosteroidsandanticoagulants(a type of blood thinner) may have potentially harmful effects on the skin, making it more prone to tearing.
Skin tears can become chronic wounds—ones that don’t heal normally and take a very long time to heal. Older people are at higher risk of developing chronic wounds.
Thin Skin Symptoms
Common symptoms of thin skin include:
The primary cause of thin skin is changes of the skin that occur as part of the aging process. These include:
What deficiency causes thin skin?A vitamin C deficiency can cause scurvy, a condition that includes thin skin as a symptom. Along with thin skin, people with scurvy usually have other, more serious symptoms such as anemia, bleeding gums, and joint pain.
What deficiency causes thin skin?
A vitamin C deficiency can cause scurvy, a condition that includes thin skin as a symptom. Along with thin skin, people with scurvy usually have other, more serious symptoms such as anemia, bleeding gums, and joint pain.
What Can You Do About Thin Skin?
Although there is no cure for the normal aging process that causes the skin to become thin, there are some preventative measures as well as medical treatments in the form of certain types of skin creams that can help alleviate the symptoms.
Prevention is the primary way to care for thin skin, which includes protecting the skin from the sun.
Ways to Protect Thin Skin at Home
Measures to protect thin skin from cuts and tears include:
Medication
Although its reputation may suggest otherwise, retinol does not thin skin. Multiple studies reported that topical tretinoin (Retin-A), normally used for acne treatment, can actually improve thinning skin.
Some people also use it to reduce fine wrinkles, but results may vary.Consult with your healthcare provider about the use of a topicalretinol.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Thin skin resulting from aging is a condition that does not usually require medical attention. If you notice any of the following skin problems, consult with your healthcare provider:
If you have been taking any medications that are associated with thinning skin, talk to your healthcare provider about possible alternatives or a change in dosage. Do not stop taking your medication without first consulting your healthcare provider.
Many factors speed up the aging process of the skin, thus potentiating thin skin. This can include environmental factors (such as sun exposure) as well as internal changes in the body such as hormone level fluctuations. The following tips can protect your skin and reduce premature aging:
Dietary Changes
Nutrition is thought to impact the process of aging of the skin, which in turn may help to slow the process of thin skin due to aging.
Studies on nutrition and skin health have shown that a healthy diet may decrease wrinkling, atrophy (shrinkage), and dryness of the skin. Examples of foods thought to promote skin health include:
Summary
Talk to a healthcare provider if you’re concerned about thin skin or are interested in treatment.
17 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Quan T.Human skin aging and the anti-aging ptoperties of retinol.Biomolecules. 2023;13(11):1614. doi:10.3390/biom13111614National Library of Medicine.Aging changes in skin.Serra R, Ielapi N, Barbetta A, de Franciscis S.Skin tears and risk factors assessment: a systematic review on evidence-based medicine.Int Wound J. 2018;15(1):38-42. doi:10.1111/iwj.12815Dyer JM, Miller RA.Chronic skin fragility of aging: Current concepts in the pathogenesis, recognition, and management of dermatoporosis.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2018;11(1):13-18. PMID:29410724National Institute on Aging.Skin care and aging.National Library of Medicine.Skin turgor.National Eczema Association.Risks of Topical Corticosteroids.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Gottron syndrome.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Smoking and its effects on skin.Wollina U, Lotti T, Vojvotic A, Nowak A.Dermatoporosis – The chronic cutaneous fragility syndrome.Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2019;7(18):3046-3049. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2019.766Roberts W.Air pollution and skin disorders.Int J Womens Dermatol. 2021;7(1):91-97. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2020.11.001American Academy of Dermatology Association.Caring for your skin in menopause.Callus CA, Vella S, Ferry P.Scurvy is back.Nutr Metab Insights. 2018;11:1178638818809097. doi:10.1177/1178638818809097Cao C, Xiao Z, Wu Y, Ge C.Diet and skin aging-from the perspective of food nutrition.Nutrients. 2020;12(3):870. doi:10.3390/nu12030870MedlinePlus.Tretinoin topical.American Academy of Dermatology Association.11 ways to reduce premature skin aging.DermNet NZ.Skin aging.
17 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Quan T.Human skin aging and the anti-aging ptoperties of retinol.Biomolecules. 2023;13(11):1614. doi:10.3390/biom13111614National Library of Medicine.Aging changes in skin.Serra R, Ielapi N, Barbetta A, de Franciscis S.Skin tears and risk factors assessment: a systematic review on evidence-based medicine.Int Wound J. 2018;15(1):38-42. doi:10.1111/iwj.12815Dyer JM, Miller RA.Chronic skin fragility of aging: Current concepts in the pathogenesis, recognition, and management of dermatoporosis.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2018;11(1):13-18. PMID:29410724National Institute on Aging.Skin care and aging.National Library of Medicine.Skin turgor.National Eczema Association.Risks of Topical Corticosteroids.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Gottron syndrome.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Smoking and its effects on skin.Wollina U, Lotti T, Vojvotic A, Nowak A.Dermatoporosis – The chronic cutaneous fragility syndrome.Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2019;7(18):3046-3049. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2019.766Roberts W.Air pollution and skin disorders.Int J Womens Dermatol. 2021;7(1):91-97. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2020.11.001American Academy of Dermatology Association.Caring for your skin in menopause.Callus CA, Vella S, Ferry P.Scurvy is back.Nutr Metab Insights. 2018;11:1178638818809097. doi:10.1177/1178638818809097Cao C, Xiao Z, Wu Y, Ge C.Diet and skin aging-from the perspective of food nutrition.Nutrients. 2020;12(3):870. doi:10.3390/nu12030870MedlinePlus.Tretinoin topical.American Academy of Dermatology Association.11 ways to reduce premature skin aging.DermNet NZ.Skin aging.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Quan T.Human skin aging and the anti-aging ptoperties of retinol.Biomolecules. 2023;13(11):1614. doi:10.3390/biom13111614National Library of Medicine.Aging changes in skin.Serra R, Ielapi N, Barbetta A, de Franciscis S.Skin tears and risk factors assessment: a systematic review on evidence-based medicine.Int Wound J. 2018;15(1):38-42. doi:10.1111/iwj.12815Dyer JM, Miller RA.Chronic skin fragility of aging: Current concepts in the pathogenesis, recognition, and management of dermatoporosis.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2018;11(1):13-18. PMID:29410724National Institute on Aging.Skin care and aging.National Library of Medicine.Skin turgor.National Eczema Association.Risks of Topical Corticosteroids.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Gottron syndrome.American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Smoking and its effects on skin.Wollina U, Lotti T, Vojvotic A, Nowak A.Dermatoporosis – The chronic cutaneous fragility syndrome.Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2019;7(18):3046-3049. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2019.766Roberts W.Air pollution and skin disorders.Int J Womens Dermatol. 2021;7(1):91-97. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2020.11.001American Academy of Dermatology Association.Caring for your skin in menopause.Callus CA, Vella S, Ferry P.Scurvy is back.Nutr Metab Insights. 2018;11:1178638818809097. doi:10.1177/1178638818809097Cao C, Xiao Z, Wu Y, Ge C.Diet and skin aging-from the perspective of food nutrition.Nutrients. 2020;12(3):870. doi:10.3390/nu12030870MedlinePlus.Tretinoin topical.American Academy of Dermatology Association.11 ways to reduce premature skin aging.DermNet NZ.Skin aging.
Quan T.Human skin aging and the anti-aging ptoperties of retinol.Biomolecules. 2023;13(11):1614. doi:10.3390/biom13111614
National Library of Medicine.Aging changes in skin.
Serra R, Ielapi N, Barbetta A, de Franciscis S.Skin tears and risk factors assessment: a systematic review on evidence-based medicine.Int Wound J. 2018;15(1):38-42. doi:10.1111/iwj.12815
Dyer JM, Miller RA.Chronic skin fragility of aging: Current concepts in the pathogenesis, recognition, and management of dermatoporosis.J Clin Aesthet Dermatol. 2018;11(1):13-18. PMID:29410724
National Institute on Aging.Skin care and aging.
National Library of Medicine.Skin turgor.
National Eczema Association.Risks of Topical Corticosteroids.
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Gottron syndrome.
American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.Smoking and its effects on skin.
Wollina U, Lotti T, Vojvotic A, Nowak A.Dermatoporosis – The chronic cutaneous fragility syndrome.Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2019;7(18):3046-3049. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2019.766
Roberts W.Air pollution and skin disorders.Int J Womens Dermatol. 2021;7(1):91-97. doi:10.1016/j.ijwd.2020.11.001
American Academy of Dermatology Association.Caring for your skin in menopause.
Callus CA, Vella S, Ferry P.Scurvy is back.Nutr Metab Insights. 2018;11:1178638818809097. doi:10.1177/1178638818809097
Cao C, Xiao Z, Wu Y, Ge C.Diet and skin aging-from the perspective of food nutrition.Nutrients. 2020;12(3):870. doi:10.3390/nu12030870
MedlinePlus.Tretinoin topical.
American Academy of Dermatology Association.11 ways to reduce premature skin aging.
DermNet NZ.Skin aging.
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