Healthy Skin As We Age

Why does our skin change as we age?

Prior to our 20s, skin cells, collagen and elastin regenerate very quickly, which gives us our skin a polished, smooth appearance. But as we age everything regenerates more slowly, so our skin begins to look a little dull and to lose its firmness in places we wish it wouldn't. The slower process of replenishing collagen and elastin is what leads to bags, wrinkles and sags.

Another culprit in aging our skin is the sun. Time in the sun increases pigment production, which ultimately leads to age spots and breaks down elastic fibers in skin, which also contributes to fine lines and wrinkles.

Smokers are at risk for a number of health problems as well as early aging. The same way inhaling smoke causes blood vessels throughout your body to constrict, reducing the flow of oxygen and nutrients, it causes capillaries near the surface of our skin to tighten, ultimately causing rapid aging in the form of wrinkles and discoloration.

What can be done to slow or reverse aging? There are some simple routines that can help slow the effects of aging such as:

  • Maintain a gentle cleansing routine twice a day
  • Use high-quality moisturizer daily
  • Use sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays with an SPF of at least 30, even when it's cloudy or you don't expect to spend much time outside. Remember to reapply every two hours when you do spend the day in the sun.
  • Try a retinoid cream to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. A derivative of vitamin A, retinoid stimulates the production of collagen and thickens skin, which gives a smoother, tighter appearance.
  • Lose weight slowly. Crash diets that lead to quick weight loss can result in sagging skin (not to mention the risk of regaining it at a later date).

There are a number of procedures that can make your face appear years younger almost immediately. Depending on your personal concerns, your current health and your goals, we may be able to help you regain a youthful appearance with an eyelid lift, facelift, or brow lift, among other options. Contact our office to make an appointment for a consultation and we’ll discuss the procedures that may work for you.

Healthy Skin As We Age
Posted in General.