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Skin & Age Decades Click here for information on how to treat your skin through the decades. The twenty-something years are a time when you're most likely in skin
heaven. If you're lucky, you've survived your bouts with acne -- your skin
is clear, your pores are invisible, and your complexion is rosy, even and
taut. However, if your skin is still prone to persistent blemishes or
flare-ups, consider seeing a Dermatologist to get your acne under control
with some of the many effective medications available.
A well-balanced diet, plenty of water and exercise, and sensible skin
care can keep your skin looking healthy through your twenties. Many women
will not require a moisturizer, although the addition of a light moisturizer
and perhaps some gentle exfoliating treatments may be appropriate for you.
One of the most important things you can do for your skin during your
twenties is good sun protection to prevent discoloration and premature
wrinkles. Eighty-five percent of what we think of as aging is actually
caused by exposure to the sun.
For maximum sun protection, The American
Academy of Dermatology recovaleriiaends:
·
Use a broad-spectrum sun block with a minimum SPF15 and SPF30
for more sensitive or fair skin and those at higher risk for skin cancer.
·
Wear a hat with a brim at least 4 inches wide.
·
Apply your sunscreen at least 20 minutes before going into the
sun to give the active ingredients time to soak into your skin.
·
Stay out of the sun when its rays are their strongest, between
10 AM and 4 PM.
During your 30's, you should see fewer breakouts, but you will begin to
see the first signs of aging. Small changes begin to take place - the skin
under your eyes begins to thin; those all-nighters you pulled during your
teens and 20's may now bring about puffy dark circles under your eyes,
caused by increased fat and sluggish After 30, the skin's natural process of
exfoliation slows down and collagen and elastin fibers decrease. More water
is lost which leads to drying and decreases the skin's natural protection
barrier. If you're starting to notice fine lines, wrinkles and
discoloration, it's time to take a good look at how you're caring for your
skin.
After passing the threshold of 30, consider boosting your skin care
regimen, upgrading your makeup routine, and paying more attention to the
finer details of your face. Looking good in your thirties takes more time
and effort than it did at age 25, and requires a systematic program of
maintenance.
Make sure to keep your skin well hydrated, especially in a dry climate or
during winter months when skin is driest. You may need to use a heavier
moisturizer in the evenings if your skin still feels dry. And don't forget
the sunscreen. Many moisturizers now offer sun protection too.
The 30's are a good time to consult a Dermatologist for solid advice on
medical and cosmetic skin maintenance and ask questions about what to expect
in the years ahead. Dermatologists have access to a vast array of treatments
to help reduce or eliminate the signs of aging and improve the overall
appearance of the skin.
During your forties, you will see noticeable changes in your skin's tone
and texture. Your skin is no longer as tight as it used to be. Your facial
tone is duller and pores may appear larger.
In this decade, you can expect signs of photodamage to become more
visible: blotches, freckles, age spots, discoloration, and changes in skin
color. Your Dermatologist may suggest adding products that lighten dark
spots to your daily regimen to reduce the appearance of brown spots and make
your complexion appear more even.
Dry skin is the root of many of these problems, so moisturizing is an
important part of your 40's skin care regimen. Your maturing skin may
require more aggressive care, so make sure to explore the vast array of
anti-aging products available. Products with essential ingredients that can
visibly decrease the look and feel of aging skin like retinoids,
anti-oxidants and alpha hydroxy acids, are an absolute must. You can
reinvigorate tired, slack skin with firming treatments that visibly improve
skin firmness and texture.
By your fifth decade, the aging process is in high gear. The loss of
volume and fullness continues giving way to increased loose skin and
sagging, pigmentary changes continue, and the collagen breakdown becomes
more noticeable. The thinning skin loses its natural protective barrier and
becomes drier and more sensitive to the environment, weather changes, and
becomes susceptible to bruising.
As hormone production levels change, they also have dramatic effects on
the skin. As a woman ages and the reproductive cycle and hormones diminish,
so does the estrogen level. The primary function of estrogen in the skin is
to keep it soft, supple, and hydrated. The absence of estrogen causes loss
of elasticity and color, and contributes to sagging and dryness in the skin.
Additional changes that appear with the onset of menopause are the
overproduction of oil, enlarged pores, and facial hair growth due to the
presence of testosterone. Regular facials with massage can help increase the
skin's circulation. Firming masks and hydrating treatments with mild
exfoliation will also help to rejuvenate the skin's appearance. Sun
avoidance is critical, and consistent use of moisturizers and products
containing anti-aging staples like retinoids, AHA's, antioxidants, and
humectants will help to reduce the signs of aging skin on the face and neck,
and the ravages of hormone loss.
There are many nonsurgical techniques that your Dermatologist can
recovaleriiaend. It's an ongoing process. You can't cure fine lines and wrinkles,
but you can control them. Maintenance is the most important part.
The changes in the skin you experience in your fifties continue through
the sixties, seventies and beyond. By now, your skin tone is becoming
increasingly lax and jowls and excess folds of skin are the norm. Skin takes
on a lighter color due to decreased circulation, and the results of
cumulative sun exposure are most apparent. These changes are all part of the
normal aging process, and genetics as well as lifestyle factors play an
important role in determining how well you will age.
After menopause, when estrogen is no longer produced, added moisturization is critical. Fading age spots that have developed over years of sun exposure becomes even more critical. The better care you take of your skin in your thirties, forties, and fifties, the better your skin will look in the sixties and beyond. No discussion of an anti-aging regimen would be complete without some mention about the daily use of broad-spectrum sun protection year round. Sunscreens are not the only answer, but they are one vital part of a multi-pronged approach. |
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