As aging occurs, what happens to skin due to decreased collagen and elastin production?

The correct choice highlights a key consequence of aging on the skin related to the decrease in collagen and elastin production. As a person ages, the production of these crucial proteins diminishes, leading to a loss of skin integrity. This reduced integrity results in the skin becoming more fragile and susceptible to tearing. With less support from collagen and elastin, the skin lacks the elasticity and strength needed to withstand minor injuries, thus increasing the risk of tears.

Understanding the implications of decreased collagen and elastin is essential in recognizing the broader effects on skin health as individuals age. Wrinkles developing, skin becoming thinner, and the body becoming cold more easily are also associated with aging skin, but they do not directly address the immediate consequence of skin tearing more easily due to compromised structural support. Hence, while those other effects may arise, the primary concern here is the increased fragility and the propensity for skin to tear, which is directly linked to the loss of collagen and elastin.