Recent data shows patients with skin problems often turn to their primary care physicians-with as many as 52 percent to 67 percent of patients making primary care visits for skin-related issues. These findings show that patients have confidence in their primary care providers' skills to adequately diagnose and treat skin problems.¹

To be able to deliver on patients' expectations, primary care physicians must first understand some common maladies with aging skin.

The following article provides an overview of common clinical skin conditions that accompany the aging process as well as various treatments.

Pigmentation Changes
Cumulative damage from the sun often emerges in the form of sun damage later in life. For example, people with fair skin tones may most commonly present with uneven pigmentation and broken blood vessels.

Melasma may be a specific problem for aging women undergoing estrogen therapy. Physicians should urge patients with melasma to protect the skin from sun exposure and also analyze their hormone dosages.

Physicians can also recommend products, such as retinoids, low-dose glycolic acid and 2 percent to 8 percent concentrations of hydroquinone, to lighten the skin, as well.² (A pending FDA order to remove hydroquinone from the U.S. market is controversial among many dermatology experts.) Recent research shows that glucosamine may also reduce the appearance of solar lentigines and pigmentation by blocking biosynthesis of melanin, a building block for hyaluronic acid.^3,4

Other effective treatments include skin care products containing antioxidants and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, which is formulated from niacin. These can penetrate the fat-soluble skin layer to repair DNA in sun-damaged skin, improve skin barrier conditions such as rosacea, and reduce hyperpigmentation.⁵

Unwanted Hair Growth or Loss
Hair removal is one of the most desired and common aesthetic treatments today. Excess hair growth on the face, neck and other areas may be caused by genetics, estrogen imbalance, androgen levels or the aging stage of the hair.⁶

However, among older women, more common concerns are thinning or loss of hair on the scalp and loss of eyebrows or eyelashes. It's important to remember that hair loss may be a sign of a deeper health problem. It can be a symptom of estrogen loss, illness, weight loss and nutritional deficiencies. It can also be a side effect of some medicines. Finding and treating the underlying illness is the most important step, which requires thorough analysis.

For hair growth, dermatology specialists often recommend topical agents (minoxidil [Rogaine] or finasteride [Propecia]) and strategies such as changing hair styles and hair products. Daily dosing of spironolactone (Aldactone) can also be beneficial.