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Textbook of Aging Skin pp 1–14Cite as

Psychological and Social Implications of Aging Skin: Normal Aging and the Effects of Cutaneous Disease

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Abstract

Although much of gerontological research in dermatology has focused on an esthetic abeyance of the signs of aging, little real medical attention has been paid to the psychosocial effects of aging skin. Patients with skin disease, including elderly patients, have a substantial burden of psychosocial suffering. The high visibility of skin diseases, particularly when superimposed on the already compromised aged skin, induces both unconscious and intentional stigmatization of the patient. The awareness of one’s compromised appearance makes interpersonal relationships uncomfortable and promotes social withdrawal. Having a rough, itchy, aged skin is associated with a significant level of both physical and psychological discomfort. Dermatologists and patients differ in their assessment of the psychosocial impact of dermatological conditions. Patient health should be measured not only by physical symptoms but also by the likely psychological and social sequelae, all having impact on the quality of life.

Keywords

  • Psychological
  • Social
  • Beauty
  • Aged skin
  • Quality of life

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The Procter & Gamble Company, Winton Hill Business Center, 6110 Center Hill Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45224, USA

    M. A. Farage & K. W. Miller

  2. San Gallicano Dermatological Institute, Rome, Italy

    E. Berardesca

  3. Department of Dermatology, University of California, 90 Medical Center Way, Surge 110, 0989, San Francisco, CA, 94143-0989, USA

    H. I. Maibach

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  1. M. A. Farage
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  2. K. W. Miller
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  3. E. Berardesca
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  4. H. I. Maibach
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Correspondence to M. A. Farage .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Procter & Gamble Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

    Miranda A. Farage

  2. Procter & Gamble Co., Cincinnati, Ohio, USA

    Kenneth W. Miller

  3. Department Dermatology, University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, USA

    Howard I. Maibach

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Farage, M.A., Miller, K.W., Berardesca, E., Maibach, H.I. (2015). Psychological and Social Implications of Aging Skin: Normal Aging and the Effects of Cutaneous Disease. In: Farage, M., Miller, K., Maibach, H. (eds) Textbook of Aging Skin. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-27814-3_89-2

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