Is It Ever Too Late to Stop the Aging Process?
What to Know About Aging Skin
Your Skin and Aging
After years of growth, most people start to see signs of aging in their mid to late 20s unless their skincare routine is up to par in maintaining a youthful appearance. For most of us, fine lines may start to appear, our skin might start looking tired and dull, and adult responsibilities may begin to keep us distracted from our self-care. While aging is unavoidable, there are lots of options, both at home and offered by your dermatologist, that can keep your skin healthy and bright throughout your life.
A Good Skincare Routine
The first line of defense you have against aging is your daily skincare routine. Washing your face, exfoliating surface-layer buildup of dirt and dead skin cells, and moisturizing will fend off the very slow accumulation of buildup in and around your face’s creases that leads to wrinkles, dryness, and laxity. Regular care also helps keep your skin’s oil production at an appropriate level for your skin, helping fend off oiliness and acne.
Using Skincare Products
Your choice of products affects your skin’s condition as well! Using a sunscreen daily is important, and many moisturizers contain an SPF that offers some protection built in. Some people need a higher factor than what might be contained in a moisturizer, though, and it’s usually recommended to use an SPF of 30 or more.
Many products have a specific task to perform. These include cleansers, exfoliants, wrinkle fighters, spot diminishers, nutrition delivery, and many other objectives that support your skin’s needs. Check the ingredients when you’re looking at a new product, and be aware that your skin type might be sensitive to some products, or other ones may not be strong enough for you. Unfortunately, sometimes we have reactions to products as our sign that they aren’t right for us.
Keeping product use to a minimum is recommended so as not to overwhelm your skin. If you’re washing too frequently, you might be removing too many natural oils and dehydrating your skin or encouraging your body to over-compensate for the lost oil. Using too many products can also clog your pores and prompt breakouts. Some anti-aging products contain gentle acids, which can still be too harsh on some skin types. When starting a new product, use less and work up to get your skin used to it while monitoring the effects.
Avoiding Sun Damage
Staying out of direct sunlight for long periods of time is an important way to slow down the pace of your skin’s aging process. Sun damage can range from dry skin and wrinkles to sunburns or skin cancer. In addition to your daily SPF, doing things in the shade, avoiding sunlight between 10am and 4pm, and wearing clothes and a hat that cover your skin can decrease your chances of sun damaged skin.
Maturing at a Pace
Our skin will continue to reproduce, but as we age, that natural reproduction will eventually slow down. We’re able to intervene in this with the use of products and professional treatments that can keep the skin healthy and in good condition no matter what age we are. Facials, microdermabrasion, light therapy, and chemical peels are great professional cleansers and exfoliators that help fight wrinkles and promote skin growth. Dermal fillers and other injectable procedures add even more support and can provide natural-looking volume to areas that have become lax or dull.
A diet full of nutrient-dense foods, lots of water, and regular checkups with a dermatologist will help you keep up with your skin’s needs at every age. Schedule an appointment today to get an update on your skin’s condition!