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Anyone noticed that their skin seems ‘thinner’ ?

(60 Posts)
Oopsadaisy1 Tue 03-Sept-24 11:03:05

Has anyone else noticed that they have thinning skin? I knocked myself against the dining room chair the other day and took a chunk out of my arm, the previous week I knocked into the catch on the door and that took a chunk out of my other arm. I think I will have to start wearing long sleeved tops in the summer next year.

I can also see the bones of my hands through my skin and my blood vessels!

This in particular is freaking me out!

sandelf Wed 04-Sept-24 12:23:44

I 'bruised' and my father too - skin like an onion. BUT since taking collagen (a certain pricey brand) my skin is more 'like other people's'.

knspol Wed 04-Sept-24 12:28:40

Sallywally1

The Bain of my life skin wise is spider veins on my legs. They look so ugly. I used to have nice legs when younger!

Me too, never had them before last year and they came with a vengeance, don't think I'll ever wear a swimsuit again now!
Like others have said I also bruise very easily nowadays.

grandtanteJE65 Wed 04-Sept-24 12:32:31

My skin is not noticable thinner yet, but it has always been sensitive, so maybe I am reaping the benefit of all those past years of having to be careful! or perhaps I am just lucky.

Yes, skin gets thinner, as does hair on our heads, but a well-balanced diet, and no fat-free this and that, unless you doctor insists goes a long way to preventing skin trouble.

Being allergic to cosmetics and perfumes I would advise against moisturises - I believe they create a need, rather than solve a problem.

Nandalot Wed 04-Sept-24 12:39:33

It is the skin on my legs that is so thin. I moisturise every day but it is still flaky. I am loathe to exfoliate as that causes it to bleed.

Warbler Wed 04-Sept-24 12:40:29

Moisturise, moisturise and moisturise again. The worst bit of skin to get thin as you age are the pads on the bottoms of your feet. I seem to feel every bit of pavement through my shoes these days and I am constantly getting into some wonderful poses to get the hard skin off my feet. I would really like a good pair of thick soled shoes plus to lose any excess weight because it bears down on my feet.

HS62 Wed 04-Sept-24 12:59:45

Yes, I think it's an age thing. I think collagen levels start to diminish as you age. My skins proper crappie now. X

Parky Wed 04-Sept-24 13:11:39

Come on ladies. What is this magic cream? I too have thin skin both literally and over sensitive!

mabon1 Wed 04-Sept-24 13:53:56

Everyone getting older has thinner skin, no matter what creams one uses, however genes play a huge part.

denisemail37 Wed 04-Sept-24 13:54:31

Why not try using collagen powder, I add a heaped spoonful to my coffee each morning. It is good for skin, hair, nails and my skin isn;t any thinner and I'm 67.
I've also been having collagen facials since just before 50.

It's never too late to start.

Juicylucy Wed 04-Sept-24 14:19:59

My mums skin was like tissue paper. I was determined I wouldn’t end up like that so I found out through a dermatologist online that using retinol on your hands arms and legs prevents skin thinning.

Greyisnotmycolour Wed 04-Sept-24 14:21:37

Nandalot A dry oil spray is great on flaky skin, I find it much better than body lotion or moisturiser. It's not as gloopy and smells lovely too. A bottle lasts a long time even when used daily after a shower.

IOMGran Wed 04-Sept-24 15:10:01

If you take any steroids it makes it a lot worse. I take oral steroids for asthma and in my 60s my skin is very thin and easily bruised or cut. I generally have a few red marks on one arm or the other, just the forearms.

cc Wed 04-Sept-24 15:37:11

RosiesMaw2

That’s sadly because it is! And we lose collagen as we age. Hands can be a dead giveaway no matter how many “tweakments” some people have.
I have heard of celebs having collagen implants to make their hands look younger (!) although personally regular use of hand cream usually sorts it for me.
It also helps if, like me, you have an adequate layer of fat under your skin - at least that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it.

I'm certainly not a skinny creature and have more than my fair share of fat under my skin, but it is the fat-free portions of my anatomy that sadly seem to get knocked and damaged - hands and shins. These parts heal more slowly too.
Also even if I do knock a plumper part of my body the skin surface is more fragile and damages more easily.
I've recently been taking glucosamine as I've had joint pain, apparently it can also increase collagen production. I'm hoping to wake up one morning to see that my skin is plump and my creases have gone!

cc Wed 04-Sept-24 15:38:40

Juicylucy

My mums skin was like tissue paper. I was determined I wouldn’t end up like that so I found out through a dermatologist online that using retinol on your hands arms and legs prevents skin thinning.

Yes, my mother's skin was the same. I'm not convinced that anything really makes much difference and my skin is sensitive so I am not planning to use retinol.

HeavenLeigh Wed 04-Sept-24 15:41:19

Years and years of steriods for autoimmune conditions has made my skin so thin and I get lots of bruises sadly

TillyWhiz Wed 04-Sept-24 15:52:04

Thank you for this post! On Sunday I changed the sheets on the 2 single adjustable beds which are locked together and put my arm down between them to tuck the sheet round one bed.
I was amazed when I found a nasty graze on the back of my wrist - I had only touched the fabric and seams of the beds.

Now I know it's my age and I am going to have to take even more care! smile

leeds22 Wed 04-Sept-24 16:14:37

I have always bruised easily but now I'm on clopidogrel (a blood thinner) I look like a battered wife. I usually wear long sleeved tops to protect my DH from arrest!

BlueBelle Wed 04-Sept-24 16:18:19

It depends a lot on the person as well, skin does get thinner with age but at nearly 80 mine hasn’t really changed neither mum or dad had any skin problems so I think there is luck in the genes too
I also think medication makes things worse I take very little one low tablet a day to keep my BP steady

rosemary55 Wed 04-Sept-24 16:21:30

So pleased I've read this , I met up with some old work colleagues last night, I spent ages hair make up , outfit, and the first thing one said is " ouch what have you done to your arms" red blobs everywhere from various tasks gardening even carrying a bag on my arm sad

Fattyboomboom Wed 04-Sept-24 17:05:32

I don't have this at ,70 but my mil who is 94 has paper thin skin that tears and bruised easily.

Oopsadaisy1 Wed 04-Sept-24 18:52:15

IOMGran

If you take any steroids it makes it a lot worse. I take oral steroids for asthma and in my 60s my skin is very thin and easily bruised or cut. I generally have a few red marks on one arm or the other, just the forearms.

I also take Steroids for Asthma

crazyH Wed 04-Sept-24 19:01:25

Oopsadaisy1 - do you mean you take steroid inhalers or steroid tablets ?

4allweknow Wed 04-Sept-24 19:08:04

My hands seem to be the thinnest part of me now. Skin definitely feels thinner.

Desdemona Wed 04-Sept-24 19:29:08

There were pictures of Angelina Jolie at the Venice Film festival last week and while she looked radiant her arms were covered in blue, prominent veins.

Greciangirl Wed 04-Sept-24 19:29:23

Yes, and ditto to all of the above.