Skin care in the elderly: Systematic review of the literature

Abstract

The skin is a vital organ in humans that suffers from the impact of intrinsic aging and, in this process, physiological changes occur that are responsible for the thinning of the epidermis, dermis and hypodermis, transforming it into rough, whitish skin, without elasticity, with wrinkles and without freshness. This study aimed to conduct a systematic review on dehydrated skin in older people and to promote effective care strategies. Data collection was carried out from November 2023 to February 2024, and articles published between 2018 and 2023, in Portuguese, Spanish, and English, were included. In the PubMed Portal, 129 articles were found; in the Virtual Health Library (VHL), 47; on the CAPES Portal, 22; and on the EBSCO Platform, 317. Six articles were selected that met the study objective. The need for care for dehydrated skin in the elderly was highlighted, due to the impacts caused by intrinsic aging. Different skin types have been identified, so care should be individualized. Self-care, treatments such as skin cleansing and hydration help preserve the integrity of the skin, and a good diet, drinking water and using topical and oral products are important tools to attenuate wrinkles, reduce flaking and avoid itching and lesions.

DOI:https://doi.org/10.56238/sevened2024.025-025