Which statement about extrinsic aging is most accurate?

Which statement about extrinsic aging is most accurate?

• A. Sun exposure
• B. Genetic factors
• C. External environment factors including sun, smoking, and alcohol
• D. Hormonal fluctuations

Answer: (C)

Extrinsic aging comes from outside influences that damage the skin over time. The most accurate description is that it’s driven by external environment factors, including sun exposure, smoking, and alcohol. Sun exposure causes photoaging with wrinkles and pigment changes, and smoking accelerates aging by damaging collagen and reducing blood flow. Alcohol can dehydrate the skin and affect nutrient delivery, further aging the skin. While genetic factors and hormonal fluctuations play roles in aging, they’re more associated with intrinsic aging processes. So describing extrinsic aging as caused by external environmental factors—sun, smoking, and alcohol—best captures the concept.

Extrinsic aging comes from outside influences that damage the skin over time. The most accurate description is that it’s driven by external environment factors, including sun exposure, smoking, and alcohol. Sun exposure causes photoaging with wrinkles and pigment changes, and smoking accelerates aging by damaging collagen and reducing blood flow. Alcohol can dehydrate the skin and affect nutrient delivery, further aging the skin. While genetic factors and hormonal fluctuations play roles in aging, they’re more associated with intrinsic aging processes. So describing extrinsic aging as caused by external environmental factors—sun, smoking, and alcohol—best captures the concept.