LAST UPDATED: JAN 18, 2023 / By Nura / AgingSkinTreatment
The skin is a very important organ. It is responsible for protecting our internal organs from harmful external factors such as UV rays, pollution and dirt. While at the same time it regulates body temperature and acts as a barrier against foreign invaders such as bacteria, viruses and fungi. As we grow older, our skin starts aging due to damage by the UV ray, pollution and other factors such as senescence, the biological process of ageing.
Aging skin is a natural process as stated by the US National Library of Medicine. Skin aging is a multi-factorial process, with both intrinsic and extrinsic factors playing a role. Skin on your body starts to change in your 40s. The skin barrier becomes less protective and it starts to lose some of its elasticity and also, it loses some of its collagen. And then over time, these changes can lead to sign of aging such as
- Hyperpigmentation discoloration such as dark spot
- Wrinkles and fine lines
- Broken capillaries
- Thinning or dull appearance of the skin
- Loss of elasticity in the skin.
- Age spot
- Visible pores
- Skin tags
- UV-damaged skin
However, aging skin can be accelerated with exposure to UV radiation, chemicals, or other environmental factors.
To slow the process and maintain our youthful appearance, we need to understand the various treatments available and their pros and cons. Some of the main causes of skin aging are free radicals, UV ray and collagen depletion.
+ Free radicals cause oxidative stress on cells which leads to wrinkles, sun spots and age spots.
+ Collagen depletion affects elasticity of the skin which then leads to saggy skin, wrinkles or lines around the mouth known as perioral lines or “smoker’s lines”.
+ Excessive exposure towards UV ray without proper protection can burn the skin and damage the internal layer of the skin.
Aging Skin Concern
+ Dry Skin and Itching
Dry skin on older age can be caused by feeling stress, being in very dry air, frequent sun tanning, losing sebaceous glands and not drinking enough liquids. Dry skin will lead to thinner skin as you age, and when you taking medicine, this will produce itchiness on the skin.
+ Cellulite
New technology such as Resonic, a non-invasive no downtime treatment can help improve the appearance of cellulite on the skin. This device use sound technology to aid in cellulite treatment in just one session.
+ Bruises
Due to thin skin, older people tend to bruise more easily than younger people. For people diabetes problem, it can take longer for these bruises to heal.
+ Elastosis
Elastosis is a condition that occurs when your skin becomes saggy, crinkled, and leathery due to prolonged exposure to UV rays. It is caused by the breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers in the skin which leads to a loss of elasticity. Poor nutrition can also contribute to this condition, as well as lifestyle choices such as smoking or drinking alcohol. To help reduce the appearance of elastosis, it is important to use a skin firming cream that contains retinol and antioxidants. Additionally, making sure to eat a balanced diet with plenty of vitamins and minerals can help improve your skin’s health from within.
+ Skin Tags
These flesh-colored growths of skin normally can be found on he neck, armpit, chest and eyelids.
+ Droopy Eyes or Eyelid Wrinkles
+ Hyperpigmentation/Dark Spots
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Aging Skin Tips and Treatment
There are many treatments available to slow down the aging process of the skin. Some of the best aging treatments include chemical peels, vitamin C rejuvenating serum, antioxidants, retinoids and elastin supplements which are available at any drug store. There are also few options for in-office aging treatment such as dermabrasion, hydrafacial and others.
Wearing sunscreen, get a full night sleep and investing in a good skin routine are great ways to take care of your skin.
- Avoid Smoking
- Reduce sun exposure especially between 10am and 5pm by seeking shade when outdoors
- Wear protective clothing such as sunglass, long pants and hat.
- Reduce Stress. Meditating and exercise are good options to help stay stress-free.
- A well-balanced diet which includes plenty of vegetables, lean proteins, fruits, and whole grain is also essential for maintaining the body’s natural defense system which in turn can slow down the process of aging.
- Drinking plenty of water
- Choose hypoallergenic product to avoid allergic reaction.
- Avoid over-cleanse your skin and stay away from harsh ingredients in skincare products to maintain your skin hydration.
- Use a moisturizing cream or Vaseline and humidifier to maintain hydration of the skin.
- Include more polyphenols in your diet. Polyphenols have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and can be found in certain fruit such as cocoa, mangoes, apples and green tea.
- AloeVera can help boost production of hyaluronic acid and collagen in the skin.
- Jasmine rice extract can help lighten dark spot, tighten the skin and giving it a firmer, smoother appearance.
But which one is best for you? Here we explain the pros and cons for some of the treatments.
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#Topical Creams for At-Home Treatments
x – Retinoid Creams
While there are many options for treating aging skin, one of them is using retinoids. The dermatologist may prescribe a cream like tretinoin or adapalene or an acid like tazarotene or erythromycin if they think that your problem needs more than just topical treatments. Retinoids are also beneficial for combating wrinkles, age spots and dullness because they help rebuild collagen and elastin which keep your skin young and healthy.
x – Peptide Creams
Peptide usually were used to stimulate collagen and elastin production within the skin.
x – Vitamin C
Vitamin C is one of the most effective wrinkle treatments. It neutralizes free radicals, boosts collagen production and evens out your complexion by evening out redness and dark spots. It helps in making your skin look firmer and plumper, which can be really helpful for preventing wrinkles.
x – Hyaluronic Acid
Our body can produce own hyaluronic acid, and it is present in the skin. However, as we age and with excessive exposure towards UV ray without proper protection, this can lead changes of hyaluronic acid percentage. When this happened, the skin tends to form fine lines and wrinkles in longer term.
Hyaluronic acid is a humectant and has the ability to enhance skin firmness and elasticity and decrease the depth of wrinkles. It can help pull water into the skin, and work greatly with ceramides to help form a healthy skin barrier in preventing trans-epidermal water loss. Use a heavier moisturizer at night to absorb as much as needed the treatment ingredients into the skin.
x – AHAs
Help brightens the skin and stimulate skin cells growth. Normally used to treat UV-damaged skin and hyperpigmentation, wrinkles and fine lines too.
Sunscreen
The first step to stop skin aging is to protect your skin from UV rays which cause wrinkles and age spots on your face over time and triggering premature aging. The ingredients that go into sunscreens help maintain the healthy collagen and elastin levels of your skin. Sunscreen should be applied every time you go outside or when you’re at home if you have windows that are exposed to sunlight. Apply it 30 minutes before exposure and reapply the sunscreen every 2 hours for optimum protection under direct sunlight. A broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF30 and higher can provide both protection against UVA and UVB.
In-Office Treatments
Some of these types of treatments need downtime to recover.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels are a great option for people who want immediate results or need a deeper peel than retinoids can offer. Chemical peels use the chemical exfoliator glycolic acid that smoothens out the texture and exfoliates dead cells from the outer layer of skin which helps to diminish lines and wrinkles, thereby making it healthier, smoother and looking younger. This treatment is most effective when it is combined with other skincare products such as sunscreen and moisturizer to maintain healthy skin growth. The down side of chemical peels comes from the risk of irritation due to high concentration of acid were use. That’s why we suggest to wear it with moisturizer to minimize skin irritation effect afterwards.
Other treatments include microdermabrasion and microneedling.
Takeaway
It is important for us to take care of our skin and keep it healthy, not only because we want it to look good but also because our skin protects us from many diseases. In order to find out what the most effective treatment is for you, it’s important to get a consultation with a dermatologist. They can diagnose any underlying issues you might be having that may affect your skin.