The elusive luminous skin. We all want it. Flawless young looking skin that glows as if it were lit from within.
As we get older, the cell renewal process of the skin slows down causing the surface of the skin to look dull and lifeless. The elastic fibers that support the skin and give it it's firm plump look loose their elasticity. The skin forms lines and wrinkles. The skin can become blotchy with dark pigmentation spots. Rough dry scaly patches can appear. Plus, it can still supper with acne breakouts. Don't get down and out about it. There are things we can do to make our skin look more beautiful!
This page is dedicated to anti-aging skin care treatments and products for achieving younger looking, clearer skin. It won't happen overnight. You have to work hard at it taking care of your skin every day from the outside with effective skin care products and from the inside healthy nutrients.
Let's start by looking at how and why the skin ages so we can understand what anti aging treatments must to be done to get our skin to look it's best at every age.
What causes skin to age?
There are factors that age our skin that we have little control of. Then, there are the skin aging factors we can control a bit.
Intrinsic Aging
Intrinsic aging is the internal natural aging process and is determined by our genes and hormones. We cannot control genetic aging, at this time. But, who know what science has in store for us in the future.
Extrinsic Aging
Extrinsic aging is caused by environmental factors including sun exposure, gravity, smoking, and exposure to chemicals. These environmental factors damage the skin's DNA, cause inflammation, and trigger unstable molecules in our bodies called free radicals accelerating the skin's aging process.
Chronic stress can accelerate the aging of the skin.
Our daily facial expressions and sleep positions are both extrinsic factors that causes lines and creases in our skin.
We can't control gravity but we can control many other extrinsic aging factors.
So What are Free Radicals?
You probably hear the term all the time, but what exactly are they? Free radicals are renegade unstable molecules that form in the body as a result of normal metabolic functions, exercise, cigarette smoke, environmental pollutants, UV radiation, certain drugs, pesticides and many other chemicals.
Normal molecules have electrons that pair up. Free radicals have unpaired electrons and attack normal molecules to steal the electron or electrons they need. Thereby, turning a healthy molecule into an unstable free radical starting a chain reaction.
The results of this electron stealing is damage that leads to diseases such as cancer, stress and aging of the skin and body.
More simply put, it's oxidation.
You know, the way an apple turns brown once it is cut and exposed to air.
Can we slow down the skin aging process?
Yes, we can help slow down the skin aging process through healthy living. We can use the power of antioxidants, SPF skin care products, daily topical skin care products and skin care treatments to help slow down the skin aging process.
Things We Can Do To Slow Down Aging Skin
Apply & Eat Powerful Antioxidants
Antioxidants are amazing chemicals that neutralize free radicals by donating electrons to the unstable molecules. The antioxidant molecule remains stable even though it gave up one electron or more.
Our body naturally manufactures lots of antioxidants when we are young, but of course, as we age production slows down leaving us vulnerable to the ravages of free radicals. Fortunately for us, food provides us with a rich supply of antioxidants and now, topically applied antioxidant products are also available.
Fruits and vegetables are packed with antioxidant nutrients, phytochemicals and vitamins. Vitamins C, E and Betacarotene (a precursor to Vitamin A, retinol) are powerful antioxidants.
Vitamin C is necessary for the production of collagen which keeps our skin firm and young looking.
Selenium and zinc are antioxidant minerals.
Carotenoids and flavonoids are examples of antioxidant phytochemicals.
Many skin care products contain these antioxidants phytochemicals to help our skin stay healthier and younger looking.
Antioxidants like Resveratrol, green tea, tumeric, ginger, etc. are also available in supplement form. You can find many varieties at health food stores such as GNC and Whole Foods.
Control Inflammation
Long term inflammation accelerates aging.
The body responds to injury, foreign invaders like viruses or bacteria and heals damaged tissues by producing inflammation. The body rushes immune cells, nutrients and hormones the damaged area causing swelling, heat and redness in order to repair the problem. It is a necessary process. The body heals and the inflammation goes away. This is acute, short term inflammation.
The body responds to injury, foreign invaders like viruses or bacteria and heals damaged tissues by producing inflammation. The body rushes immune cells, nutrients and hormones the damaged area causing swelling, heat and redness in order to repair the problem. It is a necessary process. The body heals and the inflammation goes away. This is acute, short term inflammation.
Then, there is chronic inflammation. Long term, chronic inflammation can be caused by health problems such as auto immune and inflammatory diseases, allergies, arthritis, asthma, diabetes and more. Inflammation can also be caused by an unhealthy lifestyle. Stress, excess weight, a poor diet, smoking, too much alcohol consumption, too much sugar consumption, a sedentary lifestyle, medications and poor oral hygiene can all create chronic inflammation.
That constant chronic inflammatory response can begin to attack internal organs and other tissues of the body causing disease and premature aging.
Ways to Fight Inflammation
We can make some simple changes to reduce inflammation in our bodies.
Stop smoking!
Not only does smoking cause inflammation and disease, it accelerates the breakdown of collagen causing loose wrinkly skin.
Eat More Fruits and Veggies
Eating healthy foods is a great start. Antioxidant foods are also anti inflammatory foods.
Reduce Alcohol Intake
Only one alcoholic beverage is recommended per day for women, two for men.
Reduce Sugar Intake
Cut out as much added sugar from your diet as possible. Not only will it reduce inflammation, the pounds will drop off!
Exercise
Exercise more to help reduce stress.
Sleep
Get better sleep. 7-9 hours is needed each night to revitalize the body.
Read 12 Tips for Better Beauty Sleep
Read 12 Tips for Better Beauty Sleep
Avoid the Sun
We love the sun! We get much needed vitamin D from it. Plus, feels good and a beautiful golden tan looks wonderful! But, the sun's ultra violet radiation breaks down elastic fibers in the skin allowing it to sag and wrinkle. It creates pigmentation spots and causes skin cancer.
The sun's UVB rays are important for vitamin D synthesis.
Bare skin produces vitamin D when exposed to the UV rays from the sun. It doesn't take a large amount of sun exposure to get the Vitamin D you need, maybe 15 minutes 3 times a week depending on your skin color.
Bare skin produces vitamin D when exposed to the UV rays from the sun. It doesn't take a large amount of sun exposure to get the Vitamin D you need, maybe 15 minutes 3 times a week depending on your skin color.
Many foods are fortified with vitamin D such as milk, yogurt, orange juice and cereals so you can get your D that way.
As for the golden tan, a spray tan and some bronzer will take care of that! Self tanners are safe to use on your skin and cause no damage to the skin. I have a couple articles for you to read on how to get a great self tanner application.
This is my Grandmother.
She hated her picture taken so I'm glad I have these photos! Look how beautifully she aged.
In the first photo she is 19 years old. In the second photo she is 89 years old. Notice the even color of the skin and really, there are not many wrinkles. There are no brown spots either.
Want to know her big beauty secret? She avoided the sun. She told me when she would go to the beach, on rare occasions, she spent most of her time hiding in the shade of the umbrella. I don't think I ever saw her with a tan.
Then, there is this guy!
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You may have seen his picture before on blogs and news articles. He is 69 years old. Check out the the left side of his face (on our right). It looks so much older than the right side of his face.
Notice the deep wrinkles, the thickened sagging skin, the bumps and discoloration.
This is sun damage. It is called unilateral dermatoheliosis.
But, why is the one side so much more wrinkled? This man was a truck driver for 28 years. The UV rays from the sun would shine in on him from the driver's side window of his truck as he traveled his route.
Even if the window is up, the UVA rays come through the glass damaging and aging the skin. UVA rays are also still present on cloudy days. This is just a reminder for us to wear a sunscreen with UVA and UVB protection every day!
Use Sunscreen
It's the #1 anti aging skin care product!
It's a magic cream! You apply it to your skin and it blocks out the sun tanning and burning rays.
Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 daily on exposed areas of skin the hands, the face, etc. every day, year around to protect your skin from UV damage.
To cover your body, use a shot size amount, 1 ounce. I recommend an SPF sunscreen of at least 30 when heading out for a day of fun in the sun.
Aspirin and Melanoma
Here is an interesting tidbit about aspirin and the deadly skin cancer melanoma.
Aspirin has been used to treat heart disease for years. Now a study from Stanford University shows that aspirin can also reduce the risk of the skin cancer melanoma.
Over a 12 year period, 60,00 post menopausal Caucasian women who took aspirin at least twice a week had a 20% lower risk of melanoma. It is thought that the anti inflammatory and the anti blood clotting effects of aspirin are the reason.
It is recommended that only high risk people take aspirin due to the stomach side effects that aspirin can cause. Aspirin is acetylsalicylic acid. It is a derivative of salicylate which comes from the willow tree and myrtle and has been used since 3000 BC as a medical remedy.
Foods That are Sunscreens Remember, always consult with your doctor before taking any medication.
The Sun Can Damage the Skin in Other Ways, Too:
Sun Allergy There are some people who say they are allergic to the sun. Their skin can develop an itchy isolated red rash on area of the skin that are not commonly exposed to UV light. It's called Polymorphous Light Eruption. I have experienced it first hand myself. Maybe you have too. The solution: Sunscreen! Here's a link to read my post Itchy Rash from the Sun: Polymorphous Light Eruption Sun Burn Almost everyone has experienced sun burn at some point in time. The UV Rays actually burn the skin. It's painful and even worse, leads to skin cell damage that can result in skin cancer. There are some great remedies to cool the burn and promote healing.
Summer Acne Breakouts
Exposure to the sun, sunscreens, humidity and sweat can create the perfect storm for an acne breakout! Even on older skin that requires anti aging treatments. There are some things you can do to treat the breakout without over drying your skin and there are some non-comedogenic sunscreens that will help prevent a summer breakout.
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Anti Aging Treatments
Collagen and Elastin are proteins in our skin that give the skin firmness and fullness. As we age, our skin produces less collagen and elastin. The skin sags, wrinkles and the face appears more sunken in. There are a variety of skin care treatments that can help stimulate collagen and elastin production in the skin to firm up the skin
There are injectable treatments, exfoliating treatments,
needling treatments, micro current and laser treatments that can be use to stimulate collagen.
Injectable treatments can reduce wrinkles, fill in lines and sunken areas to create a more youthful look. Some injectables are fillers meaning they fill in lines and hollows. Some fillers actually stimulate collagen production. These treatments temporary and must be repeated to maintain the more youthful appearance.
Everyone's heard of Botox, right? Botox is an injectable but it is not a filler. It is a toxin that paralyzes the muscles it is injected into. The muscles can't move so you can made lines of expression in your skin.
Injectable wrinkle treatments, including Botox, Xeomin, Restylane, Juvederm, Selphyl can only be done by a doctor.
Everyone's heard of Botox, right? Botox is an injectable but it is not a filler. It is a toxin that paralyzes the muscles it is injected into. The muscles can't move so you can made lines of expression in your skin.
Injectable wrinkle treatments, including Botox, Xeomin, Restylane, Juvederm, Selphyl can only be done by a doctor.
Some salons and spas have a doctor who will come in and do treatments. There are many different kinds of doctors who do injectable wrinkle treatments, even dentists.
To find a doctor, ask around. I like to talk to people to find out which doctor they used and what they thought about the treatment. Ask friends, ask at your salon, ask at the gym, etc. People are eager to recommend someone they like.
You can always check the websites to find a doctor in your area and read reviews.
Botox and other cosmetic injections can cause bruising. To avoid excessive bruising, stop taking aspirin or blood thinners 2 weeks before having cosmetic injections.
Please note, these injectable treatments are medical treatments that are not cruelty free. I am not recommending them. I'm just providing you with information.
Read Is Derma Needling with a Derma Roller or Derma Pen good and safe for the skin
Please note, these injectable treatments are medical treatments that are not cruelty free. I am not recommending them. I'm just providing you with information.
Read Is Derma Needling with a Derma Roller or Derma Pen good and safe for the skin
Eye Creams
We are all searching for the magic eye cream that will take away our line, wrinkles and bags.
We are all searching for the magic eye cream that will take away our line, wrinkles and bags.
Sleep Well for Better Skin
Acne & Breakouts
Pimples and blackheads will still happen even though you clean your face. The problem begins with the oil glands in the skin and dead skin cells.
Scalp and Hair Solutions
Bruises
Bruises are ugly and they hurt! There are some things you can do to reduce the pain and help them heal faster.
How to heal a bruise faster
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