Abstract: The pathogenesis of solar elastosis consists of the degeneration and accumulation of elastic fibers.The degeneration of elastic fibers is related to increased reactive oxygen species,damage and aging of dermal fibroblasts and elevated production of elastase and matrix metalloproteinases.The accumulation of elastotic material is mainly associated with raised synthesis of elastic fibers,counteraction of elastic fibers combined with lysozymes and skin-derived antileukoprotease against elastase degradation,decreased activity of cathepsin K,etc.In the future,the action mechanism of cathepsin K in solar elastosis and elastotic material degradation may become a new focus in photoaging research.