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Author : Dr. P. D.GUPTA
(Former Director Grade Scientist, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology, Hyderabad, India)
www.daylife.page
Nature has created man and woman differently. So, there are differences between the two sexes among humans. These differences are visible in many aspects. For example, Women live longer than men worldwide but unfortunately, women ages faster than men. Statistically men die an average 5 years earlier than women no matter which country one lives in. Sadly, living longer doesn’t always translate to ageing gracefully. Women are more likely to show their age quicker than men even after so much money spent on cosmetics. Of course, not only the gender is the criteria for the looks, there are many other factors contributing to the way our body shows ageing, they are for example, genetics, stress, lifestyle, diet, sleep and other social and economical factors.
Testosterone (male hormone) actually encourages the development of thicker skin and by at least 25 percent more than females. The female hormone, estrogen levels, is fluctuating every month and during pregnancy and drastic hormone changes does take effect on the skin elasticity. On the other hand, testosterone generally keeps a consistently decreasing with ages.
Regardless of age, men have a higher density of collagen within their skin than women. This is why women appear to age faster than men of the same age. It’s even been said that women are visually about 15 years older than men of the same age in terms of collagen maintenance. The reason we don’t always notice this big difference is thanks to the effort women put into their skin. Sun protection in moisturisers, beauty treatments, cosmetic procedures and countless other beauty routines women engage in.
Both camps lose about 1 percent of collagen after their 30th birthday, but obviously menopause exacerbates this more dramatically. More so woman has fatty layer below their skin which collapse due to aging and the skin lose lustre and show folds.
Hydrate to dominate:
Men obviously are perspiration champions thanks to their higher body temperatures. They also have higher levels of Lactic acid (a natural hydrant) in their sweat which makes their pH lower than female sweat. All of this leads to a better level of tissue hydration.
It’s no doubt men generally have a higher amount of body hair (all that investment into hair removal apparently has extra cost ladies!). Body hair protects skin from outside elements and maintains hydration. Men with beards are especially fortunate.
All facts considered there are so many elements to consider before we start blaming/thanking our gender when the aim is eternal youth.
In the end, both men and women will age. That’s inevitable. Dryer skin, sagging skin folds, more obvious expression lines, deeper wrinkles, eyelid puffiness and underlying bone atrophy leaves skin with noticeable sagging. Thank the beauty gods there are countless procedures which can help deter the inevitable ageing on our skin. (The author has his own study and views)
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