Psychological aspects of skin disorders in the elderly.

The aged have many skin problems. However, these are not the "high-visibility" diseases that are the stuff of geriatric textbooks. Skin diseases are not disabling, do not hamper self-care, and are not fatal. Nonetheless, they are important for reasons that geriatricians are usually unaware of: they spoil the quality of life. An aged, degraded skin is uncomfortable to live in. It is also unattractive and leads to aversive reactions by others. The unhandsome aged have trouble maintaining self-esteem when they recollect the smooth, unmarked, turgid skin that was the clothing of their youth. All this is conducive to a lessening of contact between the aged and potential providers of support, including health care providers. Enhancing appearance provides a psychological boost that may lead to positive thoughts and actions. "Looking good is feeling better" is a sound maxim for improving health at all ages.