Geriatric Dermatology

GERONTODERMA (DERMATOPOROSIS)​

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Overview                                                                                                                                                                                                        

• As the skin ages, loss of extracellular matrix components of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid result in extreme skin fragility, easy bruising, skin tearing, and depigmented scars.  The term, "dermatoporosis" was originally proposed as a term to describe this, analogous to "osteoporosis", although "gerontoderma" is probably a more apt characterization given the lack of parallels between dermatoporosis and osteoporosis pathophysiologically, and the the misapplication of the suffix -porosis as it relates the pathophysiology of skin aging.  (17911985, 17911982)

• There is significant overlap with this condition and senile or Bateman's purpura, and stellate pseudoscarring: it's essentially a combination of the two. 

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Treatment                                                                                                                                                                                                       

• There are few evidenced based treatment approaches, and as is the nature of reversing the aging process there are few effective therapies.  However, one regimen that has demonstrated success on a case report level (anecdotal evidence) includes (38306145):​

  • calcipotriene 0.05% ointment daily​

  • tazarotene 0.045% lotion nightly

  • 1000mg vitamin C twice daily

  • 1000mg citrus bioflavanoid compound daily