As the body ages, the blood flow to the skin is reduced, the skin becomes thinner, it is more easily damaged, and repairs more slowly. Elastic fibers in the dermis decrease in number and diameter, and the skin tends to sag. A loss of subcutaneous tissue, especially in the face, also causes sagging, wrinkled skin.

A decrease in the activity of sebaceous and sweat glands results in dry skin and poor thermoregulatory ability. The decrease in the ability to sweat can contribute to death from heat prostration in elderly individuals who do not take proper precautions.

The number of functioning melanocytes generally decreases, but in some localized areas, especially on the hands and the face, melanocytes increase in number to produce age spots. (Age spots are different from freckles, which are caused by an increase in melanin production and not an increase in melanocyte numbers.) White or gray hairs also occur because of a decrease in or lack of melanin production.