Biological and Social Challenges of the Aging Skin in Older Africans

Despite the overall increase of the population of older adults in Africa, these senior citizens still have a lot of challenges regarding their health including skin disorders. The health seeking efforts as regards to skin disorders is relatively lower when compared to other common old age diseases despite serious effects on the quality of life. The burden of the aging skin can have both biological and social consequences on the older African. This is further worsened in some by socio-cultural skin practices such as scarification, skin lightening, tanning and tattooing which may have been done at an earlier age or still occurring due to perceived benefits. The COVID-19 pandemic has also left its burden on the older African with the reports of increased skin disorders among the senior citizens. This review aims to highlight the biological and social impact of skin disorders on the older African with a reflection on the anatomy of the aging skin, common skin disorders, management and basic preventive measures.