Aging is an interesting journey of trials, tribulations, jubilations and growth; and, with all that wisdom, comes wrinkles. What if you could age as you wish and enjoy the wisdom without all the wrinkles and saggy skin? The secret here is to start when you’re young. But don’t worry if you are starting later in life, there’s still hope.
WHAT SKIN CHANGES HAPPEN AS WE AGE?
Understanding what is happening during the aging process, gives you the knowledge of how to prevent and reverse the signs of aging.
- The epidermis, outer layer of skin, thickens as natural cell turnover or exfoliation slows. In children, this process happens every 10-20 days; however, by the time you are in your 60s+, this process can be as slow as every 100 days. The epidermis is made of dead skin cells and when it’s thickened you experience clogged pores, dry skin and dull appearance.
- The dermis becomes structurally disorganized due to less collagen and elastin production. Think of it like a worn-out elastic waistband, and thus the skin becomes more fragile, wrinkled and saggy.
- Excess UV exposure causes an increase in melanocyte activity leading to more hyperpigmentation or brown spots, also known as age spots. Chronic redness and increased collagen breakdown also comes from excessive UV damage.
- A decrease in subcutaneous and deeper fat pads in the face, cause sinking and sagging of the facial skin leading to jowls and tired looking eyes.
THE 20’S
Aging skin starts in your teenage years but starts to become noticeable in your 20’s mostly with fine lines. In my practice, I find that most 20 somethings are not overly concerned with their skin health unless they have some significant condition like cystic acne. However, this should be the decade where anti-aging rituals become set. Instead of piling on the makeup to cover imperfections, let’s start correcting, protecting and preventing them. The best things you can do for your skin in this decade is stop the tanning and start using UVA and UVB sun protection and antioxidants to protect your skin from premature aging. Look for ingredients like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide in your SPF. Great antioxidants for skin protection and anti-aging are topical vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin B3 and essential oils. All of our products contain potent antioxidants but check out our Vital C Repair Serum and C Radiance Moisturizer for a great start.
THE 30’S
When 30 comes around, we start noticing fine lines, large pores and blotchy skin discolorations, usually from the lack of care we did earlier in life. For me, it was not for a lack of trying, it was a lack of education and misleading information by big beauty marketing. I thought I was doing great things for my skin in my 20’s by using multiple over-the-counter moisturizers and SPF. But I was so wrong, because when I turned 30, all those years of sun and crappy skin care showed up on my face as thinning skin, fine lines and way too many brown blotchy spots… ugh. But, I really do have to thank life for this lesson because that is what lead me into becoming an expert in medical aesthetics and skin care.
THE 40’S, 50’S & BEYOND
The changes in the skin that show up in your 30’s are the same changes that you will not like in your 40’s, 50’s or every decade after that. These changes just get worse every year with deepening of the wrinkles, dull looking skin, dry skin, increasing redness and sagginess, unless you take action. In come Retinaldehyde vitamin A, Niacinamide vitamin B3 and peptides to the rescue. The goals: firm the skin with collagen stimulation, brighten the skin with cellular turnover, even out the tone and protect from environmental damage. Skin care at any age has these same basic needs and does not need to be complicated. Check out our Mikel Kristi Vital A Rejuvenating Serum, our Bio Peptide Revitalizing Serum and our C Radiance Moisturizer for great powerhouse ingredients.
If you are starting your skin revitalization journey later in life, you may need more aggressive treatments to achieve your goals. Depending on the amount of change you want to see, consider Aerolase, BBL, Halo Laser or Neogen Plasma Resurfacing. Aerolase and Forever Young BBL is a great anti-aging treatment for photodamage and skin rejuvenation with no downtime. For fine lines, pores and photodamage, Halo is one of my favorites. For the ultimate smoothing and tightening, Neogen provides amazing results. Remember, your daily skin care routine is the most important part of having healthy, beautiful skin. It will also enhance and maintain the results of any treatment that you choose to do.
Learn when you’re young and start caring for your skin with the right ingredients and enjoy your ageless skin. Call (520) 261-7564 today for your complimentary consultation.
