The Parts Of Your Body That Age The Fastest, According To Science

Aging is inevitable, but some parts of your body will get there faster than others. When it comes to both internal and external organs, certain body parts age quickly, and that can impact the way you feel and look. To find out exactly which organs age the quickest, Glam spoke exclusively to chief medical officer and physician at One Oak Medical Dr. Jason Singh, who revealed that, unsurprisingly, the skin is one of the first organs to age. However, some internal organs age quicker than others, too, including the brain.

While aging is natural and unstoppable, there are particular factors that increase aging in certain areas of the body. "From a biochemical perspective, the factors that accelerate aging are due to free radicals damaging cellular components, which include DNA, proteins, and lipids," Dr. Singh explains. "Chronic inflammation can damage tissues over time." He adds that UV radiation and pollution, along with lifestyle choices such as smoking, alcohol consumption, poor diet, and lack of exercise, can all contribute to an accelerated aging process. Some elements, such as chronic inflammation, may be dfficult to control, but by maintaining healthy habits where you can, including using SPF to protect against UV rays and exercising every day, you can reduce the chance of premature aging in several areas of your body. 

If the past 100 years of skincare have taught us anything, it's that aging skin is a primary concern for many people. So, it's no wonder that your skin is one of the first organs to show signs of getting older. On this, Dr. Jason Singh shares, "Skin (especially facial skin) ages faster than other parts of the body due to several factors (we call it the 'Big Four'): UV exposure from sun damaging skin cells leading to premature aging, facial skin is thinner than skin on other parts which makes it further susceptible to damage, repetitive movements through facial expressions causing formation of fine lines and wrinkles over time, [and] decrease oil production with age leading to drier more wrinkle-prone skin." For this reason, your sun protection strategy should be on point and include a strong SPF. Additionally, it's important to make up for the reduction in oil production with moisturizing skincare products, along with those with active ingredients that increase cell and collagen production, such as retinol. 

As well as your skin, Dr. Singh notes that there's another external organ that is quick to age. "Eyes age relatively quickly as well due to constant light exposure from UV and blue light which can damage retina and lens over time," he tells Glam exclusively. "Aging also leads to decreased tear production which leads to dry eyes and increased susceptibility to irritation and damage." Wearing UV 400 sunglasses outside can help reduce this damage, but regular exercise and a healthy diet can also prolong your eye health as you age. Meanwhile, smoking can speed up this aging process due to the constriction of the blood vessels and changes in the cells. 

After the skin, Dr. Jason Singh reveals exclusively to Glam that the brain is the next-fastest organ to age due to its high metabolic activity, which can contribute to cellular damage as a result of free-radical production. "The cells in the brain don't regenerate quite as frequently as other organs," he explains in an exclusive conversation with Glam. "Additionally, age-related changes in the cardiovascular system can lead to decreased cerebral blood flow, affecting brain function." You can avoid premature cerebral aging with frequent mental stimulation and staying on top of your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol. 

Speaking of the cardiovascular system, the heart and blood vessels are also relatively quick to age. There are several reasons for this, including "cumulative stress on cardiac muscle" due to the continuous beating of the heart, according to Dr. Singh. "Additionally," Dr. Singh adds, "atherosclerosis from gradual buildup of plaque in arteries, and blood vessels in general lose elasticity with age which increases blood pressure and eventual strain on heart." Some factors that lead to the premature aging of the heart are out of your control, including family history and sex assigned at birth. However, you can keep your heart as healthy as possible as you age by avoiding smoking and alcohol, exercising regularly, and maintaining healthy eating. 

Finally, your joints also age quicker than other body parts. This is due to "wear and tear over time" that result in the "gradual breakdown of cartilage and reduced synovial fluid," according to Dr. Singh. Again, maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding smoking can help protect your joints as you age, but it's also important to treat any injuries as soon as you notice them.