There's a lot of advertising in the press by plastic surgeons and dermatologists, as well as skin care product manufacturers, extolling expensive and sometime invasive treatments, claiming that you can stop aging. Most of it is overblown. However, you can, without going bankrupt and undergoing invasive treatments, follow the advice of dermatologists who have suggested the following affordable steps you can take to help restore a youthful appearance.
1. Stay away from the sun. Repeated exposure to UVA & UVB rays lead to brown spots, sagging skin, deep creases and/or fine wrinkles. If you need proof, checks the parts of your body that is never exposed to the sun. They're smooth and even-toned, aren't they? After 40, there has been enough sun damage to your skin's collagen and elastic tissue for you to see changes. If you protect your skin year-round, you will can down the acceleration of the signs of aging to your skin and get back your even-toned smooth skin.
Wrinkles and muddy skin tones age you. To avoid these damaging effects, you must always protect yourself from UVA rays when going in the sun with a good sun block that contains filters like Mexoryl and/or Helioplex, providing long-lasting protection. Neutrogena Age Shield Face Sun block APF 90+ ($9.49, in your local drugstore) or Lancome UV Expert 20 Sunscreen SPF 20 ($35, department stores) are two excellent products to use. When purchasing any sun block product ensure that it has an SPF of 15 or higher. Antioxidants, such as vitamins C & E and pomegranate extract, included in your sun block can boost benefits and help neutralize UV damage to your skin. C.O. Bigelow All-in-One Protective Day Lotion SPF 25 ($10.50, Bath & Body Works) contains vitamins A, C, & E, and antioxidant-rich berry extracts. Even better, if you must have a tan, try using Jergens Natural Glow Health Complexion Daily Facial Moisturizer SPF 20 ($9.00, local drug stores).
You can also boost protection by not going into the sun between the hours of 10:00 am and 3:00 pm and wearing a hat and sunglasses to avoid squinting (which will help to avoid fine lines around your eyes).
If you follow these basic rules when going out into the sun, within six months your skin will appear much smoother and even-toned. A word of warning, you have to continue following these rules or you will redo the damage you worked so hard to undo.
2. Start using a Retinoid cream. Retinoid, a vitamin A derivative, has been shown during 20 years of studies, to increase collagen production and normalize skin-cell activity thereby softening fine lines and brown spots. They, at the moment have the best record of wrinkle-reduction creams. If you use the milder, OTC retinol will reduce the appearance of the fine wrinkles of chronological aging. However, OTC creams work more slowly than the stronger prescription strength formula that are prescribed for you from dermatologists. L'Oreal Paris Advanced Revitalift Deep-Set Wrinkle Repair Night Crème ($20, local drugstores) or DermaDoctor Poetry in Lotion Intensive Retinol 1.0 ($75 Sephora) as two excellent products.
There may be side-effects, such as redness and skin peeling, when using the prescription strength versions of Retin. In time, however, your skin builds up a tolerance, usually within 6-12 weeks. Retin-A is the most popular retinol cream, costing roughly $100 per tube and includes the brand names Retin-A Micro, Differin, Avage, and Tazorac. There is ongoing testing of retinoids to avoid or lessen these side-effects. Until that type of retinoid is developed, it is suggested you apply a very small amount (pea-size) at night (use at night because sunlight dilutes the effectiveness) and using it every other night until your skin tolerates it. If your prescription-strength retinoid is still causing redness and peeling, try one of the OTC products.
Using either an OTC or a prescription retinoid product you will see a visible change in your skin within months. Dr. Jeffrey Dover, M.D., associate clinical professor of dermatology at Yale University School of Medicine and coauthor of The Youth Equation says that he can always tell who is using retinoid because their skin looks "too good" for their age. But, you have keep using it and avoid sun damage.
3. Gentle and frequent exfoliation. Face scrubs or peels make your skin smoother and even-toned. Your skin tends to be drier as you age causing dead cells to cling to the surface. Exfoliation removes these dead cells allowing water-retaining cells to rise to the surface which, in turn, allows antioxidants and retinoids to penetrate better. One exception, if you have sensitive skin you should exfoliate less frequently.
Effective, inexpensive products using small, round particles are available and work very well. St. Ives Elements MIcrodermabrasion ($7.00 at local drugstores) or SkinEffects Cell2C3ellAnti-aging Exfoliating Cleansing Scrub ($10.00 CVS) are two excellent products. Make sure when buying an exfoliant that the particles are smooth and sugar-like; if they are too large or have jagged edges they can tear your skin. There are also chemical exfoliators that you can use at home. They might cost a bit more and work a little slower, but they do help loosen the dead cells. Try Aveda Enbrightenment Brightening Cleanser for good use-at-product.
4. Moisturize. Use a daily moisturizer to get a smooth skin with a glow. Purchase moisturizers that contain glycerin and hyaluronic acids. They draw water to the surface of your skin, while others, like petrolatum and lanolin, prevent moisture from escaping. Products like Dove Deep Moisture Facial Lotion SPF 15 ($7.49, at your local drugstore) contain glycerin. Avoid the products that contain natural moisturizers, like olive, sunflower and coconut oils if you're prone to breakouts. If you're not prone to breakouts, Kiss My Face Obsessively Organic Under Age Ultra Hydrating Moisturizer ($21.00, Whole Foods) which contains sunflower and grapeseed oils. While you have to apply moisturizers daily in order keep the benefits they help you look better immediately.
I started researching various aspects of fighting Father Time and got so excited about the information I was unearthing that I wanted to get what I learned out to my friends. When I started to be a thorn in their sides with my new-found interest and enthusiasm, I had to find a better way to get this information disseminated and thus, the idea behind the website. I am, more today than ever, interested in keeping healthy and looking as good on the outside as I feel inside. I also write articles and hope to deliver good solid information that readers will find interesting and helpful. Of course, of looking good includes make-up and fashion that is age-appropriate, comfortable and knock-'em dead gorgeous.
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