Effects of age (neonates and elderly) on skin barrier function

Skin, together with its appendages, forms an organ with several defensive roles; among them it acts as a barrier, which is one of its very important protective functions. There has been increased interest in studying the effects of age on these functions. There are different intensities and timing involved in this process and also differences between men and women, all relating to skin structure. We review the current knowledge of the skin as a barrier in neonates and in the elderly in an attempt to explain the changes that occur with aging. (C) 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.