During early adolescent and teenage years, most of us rarely think about our skin and the aging process that will one day affect the condition and appearance of our skin. However, after our early 20s, aging changes and will begin to show up in the skin; changes which will progress as we age into our 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond.
As we approach our 30s, our body’s production of collagen and elastin (two substances that give the skin firmness and elasticity) begins to slow down. The collagen and elastin also begins to loosen and unravel which results in skin that sags and has poor elasticity. A young person, with plenty of both collagen and elastin, has firm, smooth, unwrinkled skin. As that person ages, the loss of collagen and elastin causes the skin to become looser and less supple.
At the same time, fat cells beneath the skin may begin to disappear. With the loss of this supportive fat, collagen, and elastin, plus the pull of gravity, the skin begins to sag and form wrinkles. The skin also loses the ability to moisturize itself and retain moisture with age, leading to skin that is drier, possibly with itchy, irritated patches.
With age also comes the appearance of those familiar lines and wrinkles that we associate with older skin; frown lines (those between the eyebrows) and crow’s feet (lines that radiate from the corners of the eyes) begin to appear as a result of permanent small muscle contractions.
In addition to the natural processes that occur in our bodies and skin as we age, other long-term habits can cause damage to our skin.
Sun exposure is the most damaging external factor that affects the condition and health of our skin and is primary cause of prematurely aging skin (called photoaging) and skin cancers (including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, and squamous cell carcinoma). In fact, many of the features we associate with aged skin are actually caused by sun exposure, and not by the natural aging process. Photoaging can cause a number of skin conditions, including: Fine wrinkles; Liver spots (a.k.a. age spots); Dilated blood vessels; Roughened skin.
Smoking cigarettes is the worst enemy to the skin. Smoking causes the blood vessels in the top layers of the skin to narrow (constrict), which reduces the blood supply, reduces the amount of oxygen available to the skin, and reduces the removal of waste products and dead cells. This process contributes to the reduction in collagen and elastin and prevents Vitamin A from bonding with skin cells to repair skin damage, leading skin to have a grayish or bluish cast and a leathery texture.
Keep Your Skin Looking Younger
It’s best to start protecting your skin during childhood, however, anyone at any age can begin to take the necessary precautions to help protect the skin, keep it looking young and healthy, and hopefully slow down the affects of aging.
Following are some tips on how to achieve younger looking skin.
Minimize Sun Exposure. Minimizing sun exposure is the most important thing you can do to protect your skin and keep it looking younger.
Wear sunscreen of at least SPF 15 when outdoors, and protect the face with a brimmed hat. Try to avoid sun exposure from approximately !0:00 AM to 4:00 PM, which is the most hazardous time for UV exposure.
Protect Skin From Dryness. Aging skin can be dry, flaking and itchy. Use a moisturizer immediately after bathing. Also, use milder soaps and consider using less drying warm water to bathe rather than hot water.
Drink Plenty of Water. Drinking water throughout the day ensures proper hydration of the body and helps to reduce skin dryness. Doctors and nutritionists recommend drinking at least 6-8 glasses of water every day.
Eat a Healthy Diet. Eating a healthy, balanced diet will benefit your body as well as your skin. Fruits and vegetables are particularly important for preventing premature skin aging since they contain many antioxidants.
Exercise promotes capillary functioning which can decrease premature aging. It also increases oxygen to the tissues which keeps skin looking young and healthy.
Stop Smoking. Quitting smoking at any age reduces further damage to skin.
Product Helpers
Following are some common active ingredients in over-the-counter products that can help keep your skin looking young and healthy:
Alpha-Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) – These acids produce a mild sloughing (peeling) actions, taking off the top layer of skin and exposing the fresher skin underneath. AHAs are usually derived from fruit or from dairy products, and many moisturizers now contain them. They are safe to use on the face. These are sometimes called "lactic acid" if they’re derived from dairy products.
Retinol – Related to Vitamin A, retinol is contained in many skin creams, and may temporarily cause tissues of the face to swell very slightly, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Antioxidants – Topical antioxidants vitamins such as Vitamin C and E can help cells repair the damage caused by the sun’s ultraviolet radiation and smoking. This can help skin appear smoother and more glowing.
DMAE – Abbreviation for dimethylaminoethanol. One of the newer ingredients, it is being promoted to increase the appearance of skin firmness in anti-aging creams.
Hyaluronic Acid – A component of skin tissue that is used in the skin care products as a good humectant that holds moisture to the skin.
CoEnzyme Q10 – A nutrient that helps regulate energy production in cells. It claims to improve the skin’s ability to fight wrinkles. Studies show that application before sun exposure protects against sun damage.
(For more information, log on to www.healthyoptions.com.ph.)
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