The reasons why people get age spots when they get older can be attributed to the following aspects:
Physical aging:
As we age, the body's cell metabolism gradually slows down. This slowing metabolism causes the fat in the skin cells to be easily oxidized, which in turn forms pigments that are deposited on the cells, forming age spots.
Lipofuscin deposition:
When the body's metabolism is slow, free radicals appear, which is a substance called lipofuscin. When it is deposited on the surface of the skin, age spots are formed.
Reduced dismutase activity:
As we age, the activity of dismutase in the body decreases. Dismutase has an antioxidant effect. When its activity decreases, the free radicals in the body increase, which promotes the formation of age spots.
Sunlight exposure:
When you are outdoors for a long time, the ultraviolet rays of the sun will damage the skin, leading to the deposition of melanin, which accelerates the formation of age spots. Especially in exposed areas such as the face, forehead, back, neck, and back of the hands, the probability of age spots is higher.
Other factors:
In addition to the above main reasons, mental stress, excessive fatigue, neurological disorders, and decreased adrenal sebum function may also indirectly lead to the formation of age spots.
Physiological changes:
Age spots are also a natural manifestation of human aging. With age, multiple systems of the human body will undergo physiological changes, including decreased metabolic capacity of skin cells and pigmentation, which are background factors for the formation of age spots.
In summary, the formation of age spots is a complex process involving multiple factors such as body aging, metabolic changes, decreased enzyme activity, and sunlight exposure. In order to prevent the formation of age spots, people can take some measures, such as avoiding long-term sunlight exposure, maintaining good living habits, and appropriately supplementing antioxidants.