Let’s face it. All of us are concerned about our skin as we age, as there are changes we all go through. We all age individually, but common elements cause us to age–and there are common ways to help fix it and get ahead of the game.
Many factors contribute to each of us aging at our rate. But there are common causes that cause premature and normal aging. While there are several products available, there are key ingredients to look for–not just brands.
By gaining some simple knowledge of how aging works and what you can do about it, you can help your skincare and keep it looking youthful longer.
1. What Causes of Premature Aging?
There are multiple factors that contribute to premature aging. Most of these factors are related to lifestyle. In theory, if you alter your lifestyle, you can get ahead of premature aging. Some of these factors include:
- Excess alcohol consumption
- An unhealthy diet
- Psychological stress
- Nicotine
- UV radiation in sunlight
These factors cause the formation of free radicals, which cause premature skin aging. Free radicals are chemically-reactive substances generated by the body, particularly when exposed to UV radiation.
If you make life changes to eliminate these factors, you can prevent aging signs like fine lines and wrinkles.
2. What Happens When Your Skin Ages?
There are hundreds of theories about why and how we age. Every person ages differently, and that includes differences in how our skin ages. Some of the things we do know about aging skin include:
- Reduced cellular activity
- Less collagen production
- Lower epidermal turnover
- Damage accumulation from free radicals caused by UV exposure
When these things happen, you lose moisture and elasticity and gain fine lines, wrinkles, and pigmentation.
Age Spots
Age spots result from long-term exposure to environmental stressors such as UV sun damage, air pollution, and smoking. Liver spots or sunspots are other names you might call age spots. The damage causes the acceleration of melanin production in your skin, which causes discoloration.
Thinning Skin
UV light can also cause your skin to thin. UV light breaks down the collagen and elastin proteins that structure the skin. Our bodies create less hyaluronic acid as we age, causing a plumping effect. This process can also cause the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Stress and Cortisol
In today’s world, stress is very much present in our lives. Our bodies react to stressful situations with the release of hormones that respond to immediate and short-term threats. The constant stress in our lives causes the body to keep producing these hormones, resulting in a faster aging process.
Cortisol is the primary hormone produced during stress. Cortisol influences the destruction of collagen. Collagen is prominent in the deeper layers of the skin. Changes in structure and the amount of collagen result in the formation of wrinkles.
Using a product that contains creatine can help prevent wrinkles and get ahead of the aging process.
3. When Should You Start Using Products?
Again, aging affects people in different ways. As a general rule, however, it is advised that people start using anti-aging products between the ages of 25 and 30. You can expect the use of anti-aging products to show progress when you use them often.
Sunscreen and UV Filters
One skincare routine you can master quickly is the usage of sunscreen. When we are young, we often want to tan in the sun. But tanning can cause sun damage, which promotes aging.
Preventing further damage is simple when you add an SPF skin cream to your morning routine. Other UV filters include ingredients like hyaluronic acid and creatine.
Eye Cream
The appearance of skin aging varies among different people. But most people develop signs around the eyes first. Your skin is the thinnest there. Therefore, you should use an eye cream as soon as you start seeing signs, like fine lines and dark circles. Many people find it beneficial to use an eye cream before they turn 30.
Important Vitamins
Vitamins are essential for our overall health. Different types of vitamins have different effects on the body. Like anything else, some vitamins are necessary for skin health. These vitamins include:
- Vitamin E-protects against external influences.
- Pro-Vitamin B5-the precursor to B5, which has soothing properties and moisturizes the skin. It supports the skin’s regeneration process overnight.
- Vitamin C-contains antioxidants that help neutralize the oxidation of free radicals.
Combination Skin
Combination skin and skin with impurities require the use of products specifically designed for them. They will contain ingredients that moisturize without clogging pores. Make sure you deeply cleanse your skin with products designed for moisturization.
Fight Aging the Right Way
We at Dulce Lash and Skin want to help you look and feel your best in 2021. We offer a wide range of services, including flawless eyelash extensions, lash lift and tint, brow microblading, body waxing, various skincare treatments, and more.
Our skincare services include anti-aging medical spa treatments to defy age and revitalize your appearance such as Microneedling w/PRP (also known as the “Vampire Facelift”), IPL lasers, and Oxygen Facial Treatments. Also offering a wide variety of skin rejuvenation procedures from microdermabrasion and chemical peels to both therapeutic and relaxing facial treatments, our highly skilled master aestheticians will guide you through a personalized plan to address all your skincare needs.
Drop us a line for more information or book your appointment today at one of our three beautiful locations in Seattle, Bellevue, and Mercer Island.
We look forward to seeing you!