Human skin becomes thinner and looses its elasticity with increasing age. These features of intrinsic skin aging are due to reduction in collagen synthesis with a concomitant increase in collagen and elastic fiber breakdown by matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs). In addition to these changes that occur simply from the passage of time, skin that is chronically exposed to the sun undergoes accelerated aging process referred to as photoaging. Here sun causes further alterations in dermal matrix by transiently inducing MMPs with each irradiation. Bateman's purpura (BP) is a bruised lesion that is commonly seen on the sun-exposed extensor surfaces of forearms and hands in elderly individuals. It is of no medical significance. However, to those afflicted, BP is often a great source of distress for its unsightliness and the obvious sign of aging it represents. The pathophysiology of BP has not been rigorously studied. Its exclusive presence on the sun-exposed surfaces of frequently traumatized areas suggests that photoaging associated loss of supporting structures around cutaneous blood vessels render the vessels easily torn by shearing injuries, thus causing purpura.