Skin Ageing Research & Theatrical Ageing Practice

Skin Ageing Research
Skin changes are among the most visible signs of aging. Evidence of increasing age includes wrinkles and sagging skin. Whitening or graying of the hair is another obvious sign of ageing.

Skin changes are related to environmental factors, genetic makeup, nutrition, and other factors. The greatest single factor, though, is sun exposure. This can be seen by comparing areas of your body that have regular sun exposure with areas that are protected from sunlight.

With ageing, the outer skin layer (epidermis) thins, even though the number of cell layers remains unchanged.

The number of pigment-containing cells (melanocytes) decreases, but the remaining melanocytes increase in size. Ageing skin thus appears thinner, more pale, and clear (translucent). Large pigmented spots (called age spots, liver spots, or lentigos) may appear in sun-exposed areas.

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Changes in the connective tissue reduce the skin's strength and elasticity. This is known as elastosis and is especially pronounced in sun-exposed areas (solar elastosis). Elastosis produces the leathery, weather-beaten appearance common to farmers, sailors, and others who spend a large amount of time outdoors.

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The blood vessels of the dermis become more fragile. This leads to bruising, bleeding under the skin (often called senile purpura), cherry angiomas, and similar conditions.

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Sebaceous glands produce less oil as you age. Men experience a minimal decrease, usually after the age of 80. Women gradually produce less oil beginning after menopause. This can make it harder to keep the skin moist, resulting in dryness and itchiness.

The subcutaneous fat layer thins, reducing its normal insulation and padding. This increases your risk of skin injury and reduces your ability to maintain body temperature. Because you have less natural insulation, you can get hypothermia in cold weather.

Some medications are absorbed by the fat layer, and loss of this layer changes the way that these medications work.

The sweat glands produce less sweat. This makes it harder to keep cool, and you are at increased risk for becoming overheated or developing heat stroke.

Growths such as skin tags, warts, and other blemishes are more common in older people.

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Theatrical Ageing - Further Practice
After carrying out some research about the ageing process, it made me more motivated and clued up about what happens to the skin as you become older. Therefore, I did some more theatrical ageing make-up to practice and improve my techniques. 

I thought that this was much more successful than the first time I carried out this make-up (below).

My first attempt 

I took as much time as I needed so that I felt relaxed and calm and was able to see what I was capable of, before involving time limits. I also carried the look out on myself, which meant that I was able to scrunch my face up as much as I wanted and in the areas that I wanted. This time round I was more confident with my lines and brushstrokes, which I think you would need to be in theatrical make-up, and I also used a highlighter more to emphasise the lines that I had created. 

Overall, I was very pleased with the look, and I think that the more I practice, the better the result will be.