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There are a variety of ways to help you maintain a more youthful appearance. In the area of skin aging there is some useful information available on the internet, however there is also a vast amount of unproven and possibly unsafe treatments and product claims advertised. Many 'natural' remedies can still cause harm. Consider consulting your doctor or dermatologist before taking any new medication or buying an expensive product for skin rejuvenation (reversal skin aging).
This page summarises information from the scientific literature. There are some newer approaches of unproven value. Some of the more promising of these approaches are discussed.
Cosmetic Dermatology treatments and procedures are also used to reverse the visible signs of aging. These are covered in the cosmetic dermatology section.
What Causes Skin Aging?
In Australia and much of the world, sunlight plays a major role in the accelerated appearance of changes that we normally associate with skin aging. Chronic sun exposure is probably responsible for over 90% of the visible signs of aging in Australians. These changes include wrinkles, lines and creases, uneven or blotchy colour changes such as brown spots and freckling, 'broken or burst capillaries', other irregularities of the skin surface and even acne-like 'black heads' and cysts. Compare your skin in more sunprotected sights such as your buttocks to that on your face, 'V' of neck and arms to get a rough idea of some of the ageing affects the sun has caused on your skin.
Gravity, repeated movement of facial muscles, smoking and genetic characteristics also influence the appearance and severity of these changes. Some people are blessed with a genetic makeup that partially protects them from many of the changes associated with skin aging.
How Does Sunlight Damage the Skin?
Sunlight can dramatically increase skin changes associated with 'aging'. Damage to the top layer of the skin (the epidermis) leads to an uneven, scaling surface along with many growths or bumps. Damage to the pigment cells in this top layer also causes mottling colour changes, brown spots and freckles.
Damage to cells, collagen and elastic tissue of the dermis (the middle layer of the skin) contributes to wrinkles, which range from fine wrinkles to deeper creases and lines. It also reduces the skin's elasticity (ability to bounce back after stretching or movement of the skin), and can cause lumpy yellowish changes deep to the skin surface due to a process called 'solar elastosis'.
Sunlight can directly damage cells, and the other components of the skin. It leads to the generation of free radicals which can cause 'oxidant' damage to the skin. This leads to damage to the genetic material of cells, along with other components of cells and the skin.
Prevention Sun protection is the most important measure you can take to maintain more youthful looking skin.
Ongoing excessive sun exposure can inhibit your immune system from removing damaged cells, along with other repair mechanisms. Therefore, making sun protection part of your daily skin care regimen, will also give your skin a chance to repair some (but not all) of the damage.
Photoaging is a chronic ongoing process. Low (and high) levels of sunlight exposure add up over the years. Even in Winter and on overcast days you can still receive significant levels of damaging UV light.
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Visit my sun damage page, for ways to reduce sun damage. Avoid sunlight in the middle of the day, seek shade, wear a hat, protective clothing and make the application of sunscreen part of your general skin care regimen. The addition of a strong anti-oxidant to sunscreens and skin care products may also be of additional benefit in reducing the deleterious effects of ultraviolet light, time and other environmental stressors on the skin.
Smoking also accelerates skin aging and the damaging effects of excessive sunlight. Smoking contributes by damaging several parts of the skin including its elasticity and support. It is particularly associated with wrinkling, acne-like changes (comedones), and drooping of the face, these visible changes may take years or decades to occur. Never smoking or giving up smoking will help you age more gracefully.
Good Skin Care, Moisturisers and the Role of Water Treating or preventing dry skin will usually smooth your skin's surface, reduce flaking and scaling changes, and assist the removal of dead cells from the top layers of the skin. The beneficial effects of treatments that preserve the skin's moisture may entirely reverse when they are stopped.
If you have dry skin, you should minimise the time you spend in hot showers (have shorter, warm showers instead). Use an emulsifiable bath oil, body washes with 'neutral' pH or 'soap' substitutes. All of these measures can help preserve the skin's natural moisturising factors.
Apply a moisturiser. This is usually more effective if used immediately after washing.
Moisturisers work in several ways. 'Humectants' draw and hold water in the skin, while other moisturising factors help seal in the water. A large variety of moisturisers are available, try a few to decide which one feels best for you. Your local doctor or dermatologist can give you advice on suitable products for you skin.
If you have acne or acne prone skin, moisturisers can worsen pimples, and many people with acne do not require a moisturiser as they have more than enough natural moisturising factors in their skin.
Drinking 'plenty' of water is good for the kidneys, and is especially important in hot weather, however, the skin's ability to hold the water is more important than the amount of water you drink for maintaining more youthful skin.
There are many face products that contain moisturisers and broadspectrum sunscreens. This is an ideal combination for a daily face cream. Daily face creams with microfine titanium dioxide and masking pigment can also cover up some of the signs of skin aging.
Don't forget to also protect your neck, chest, arms, or hands, which are also common sites of premature photoaging.
Should I use Anti-Oxidants and Vitamins? The role of anti-oxidants in preventing or treating skin aging still requires more research. There are several reasons why they may reduce many of the changes we associate with skin aging, however these all remain largely unproven.
Antioxidants have been shown experimentally to reduce some of the harmful effects of ultraviolet light, and theoretically may be beneficial in reducing many other changes associated with aging.
Anti-oxidants include: vitamin E (alpha tocopherol), vitamin C, coenzyme Q (ubiquinone), lipoic acid, along with a new generation of potentially more strong anti-oxidants on the way.
Although of unproven benefit, anti-oxidants may prove to be useful, particularly some of the newer and stronger agents. The main risk with these products is the rare occurrence of allergy, causing skin rashes. Many creams contain these products. You should talk to your doctor before taking high dose oral vitamins and anti-oxidants.
Although of unproven benefit, anti-oxidants may prove to be useful, particularly some of the newer and stronger agents. The main risk with these products is the rare occurrence of allergy, causing skin rashes. Many creams contain these products. You should talk to your doctor before taking high dose oral vitamins and anti-oxidants.
Some vitamin derivatives have beneficial effects / actions other than their role as anti-oxidants. The effects of some vitamin A derivatives (retinoids) are detailed below.
Creams That Reverse Some of the Signs of Skin AgeingCreams are often useful for milder changes of aging including fine lines, wrinkles or roughness. Tretinoin creams (vitamin A derivative or retinoid) and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are commonly used. They may also improve minor colour changes.
Tretinoin creams can provide long term benefits if used regularly. Tretinoin creams have been shown to improve facial wrinkles, and are especially useful for fine lines, and minor changes in colour. They can be successfully used on the face and also the back of hands. Their main disadvantage is they can cause skin irritation, redness, itching, dryness, or flaking and increased sensitivity to sunlight. Stringent sun-protective measures are required, as a sunburn could negate the cream's beneficial effects.
There are many formulations available, your doctor or dermatologist can recommend one most suitable for your skin. Tretinoin creams are only available by prescription. Your doctor can give you instructions on how and when to apply a tretinoin cream. Once you stop using a tretinoin cream, all its beneficial effects will potentially disappear with time.
Alpha hydroxyacids (AHAs) cause superficial peeling of dead skin cells, moisturise the skin, and possibly provide other benefits to rejuvenate the skin's appearance. These can be used as a cream and/or a chemical peel. Many over-the-counter products are available. It is usually recommended to start with a low concentration, and as the skin builds up tolerance, use increasingly stronger preparations for maximal benefit. A wide variety of AHAs are available. They may cause irritation and redness, along with a burning or stinging sensation shortly after application. Stronger AHAs are available from your doctor, along with AHA facial peels. Your dermatologist can give you advice and suggest an appropriate regimen, strength and formulation for your skin. There are AHA formulations for use on different parts of the body.As AHAs, and topical tretinoin thin the top layer of the skin, they also make you more sensitive to the adverse effects of sunlight (the top layers of the skin are important for 'filtering' ultraviolet light and form your skin's major barrier or protective layer against environmental insults). Thus stringent sun protection is important if you use AHAs or tretinoin creams.
Hydroquinone cream is also known as fading or bleaching cream. It can be used to treat some pigment changes associated with aging and sunlight. It must be combined with stringent sun protection for maximum benefit. The down side is hydroquinone may irritate some people's skin and should only be used for short periods of time. Weaker preparations are available over-the-counter in. Stronger formulations require a prescription and medical advice and assessment for their safe use. Inappropriate use may cause darkening or blotchiness of the skin.
Summary
Skin rejuvenation is an area attracting considerable ongoing interest. The cosmetic industry, dermatologists and the pharmaceutical industry are all actively researching new treatments and approaches. More scientific studies are required to help establish which treatments are most effective and which therapies are a waste of money and effort. Many claims by manufacturers remain unsubstantiated. By making sensible sun protection part of your daily skin care regimen, you will age more gracefully, and be in a better situation to benefit from new treatments and therapies.
Consider consulting your doctor or dermatologist before taking any new medication or buying an expensive cream for skin rejuvenation.
Anti Aging Nutrition
Your body is your temple, and what you give it nutritionally can have a vast impact on your health. As the body ages, many changes take place, and by taking in the proper vitamins and minerals, you can minimize the negative health effects that you experience as you grow older. In this article, we'll mention some of the important nutrients that one needs to intake as they age to help keep in proper health.
As you age, your body's ability to properly process the vitamins that you eat decreases. For that reason, it is important to increase the amounts of vitamins that you intake. Since osteoporosis occurs in those of an older age, it is of the utmost importance to ensure that your body gets enough Vitamin D. While those in their twenties only need to take in 200 IUs of Vitamin D per day, those aged 60 and above are recommended to take in about 600 IUs. The B-Vitamin Complex is also an important vitamin that our body loses the ability to process over time. A lack of B vitamins can lead to a risk for heart disease and possible memory loss, and for that reason, those of an older age need to make sure that they get all the B vitamins that they can get. Calcium is also a particularly important nutrient when it comes to aging; along with Vitamin D, it helps the bones to mineralize properly, warding off the effects of osteoporosis.
When it comes to actual foods that you should eat to avoid aging significantly, a diet that is high in both fruits and vegetables is recommended. Those who indulge in these types of foods often are found to have lower rates of disease as well as higher levels of energy and a healthier appearance. There are many reasons that these types of foods are recommended; most fruits and vegetables have no cholesterol, fat, or sodium, which are three harmful compounds that have a negative effect on health. In addition to the lack of bad substances found in fruits and vegetables, they are also rich in the vitamins and minerals that your body needs. Practically every essential vitamin and mineral can be found throughout the fruit and vegetable world, and a minimum of five fruits and vegetables per day are recommended by the National Cancer Institute.
Anti-oxidants are also important when it comes to aging; this type of compound is useful in the way that it helps the body to protect itself against the harmful effects of free radicals, which are rogue cells that attack the cell membranes of your body, causing premature cell death. Many fruits and vegetables include anti-oxidants, including carrots and tomatoes.
Following these basic principles is a great way to get your health on track as you age, helping you to ensure that you will live a healthy life.
Following these basic principles is a great way to get your health on track as you age, helping you to ensure that you will live a healthy life.
Anti-Aging Skin Care Tips
Anti-aging skin care is possibly one of the most sought after remedy in the market place today. But unfortunately, there are two things that you will never be able to escape as you get older… the effects that aging does to your health and the noticeable effects aging has on your skin. The first causes you to feel the effects of aging, and the second causes others to notice your age. And especially for women the second plays a large role in the way they view themselves.
Looking younger for a woman means feeling younger also. So, conquering the second effect of aging can reverse the first. And what better way is there to anti-aging skin care than an all natural approach! Some of these anti-aging skin care tips are effective now and others will be effective on the long term approach.
Anti-aging skin care is possibly one of the most sought after remedy in the market place today. But unfortunately, there are two things that you will never be able to escape as you get older… the effects that aging does to your health and the noticeable effects aging has on your skin. The first causes you to feel the effects of aging, and the second causes others to notice your age. And especially for women the second plays a large role in the way they view themselves.
Looking younger for a woman means feeling younger also. So, conquering the second effect of aging can reverse the first. And what better way is there to anti-aging skin care than an all natural approach! Some of these anti-aging skin care tips are effective now and others will be effective on the long term approach.
The first step to anti-aging skin care is knowing your skin type. Is it dry or oily? Sensitive or thick? Try to first pinpoint your own skin type before choosing the best method to anti-aging. And if you currently have a skin care routine, ask yourself if you are satisfied. If you are not satisfied, look for higher quality, natural products that will help improve the condition of your skin. Some of your dissatisfaction could be a result to your current petroleum (chemical) based products. Also, if you do not feel comfortable about judging your own skin, see a skincare expert like a dermatologist.
After determining your skin type, begin searching for products that are directed towards your particular type. Some of your current problems could just be from using the wrong products. Next step would be to begin hydrating your skin by drinking more water. Many people suffer from dry skin because they simply do not consume enough water throughout the day. Drinking 6-8 glasses of water can keep your skin looking healthy and hydrated.
Hydrating your skin can help you fight against the ever devastating damage that the sun’s ultra violent rays does to your skin.
Of course, there are many other ways to help block these harmful rays. You could wear sunscreen with a high SPF number, wear long sleeves and pants, or limit your time outdoors between the hours of 11am and 3pm when the sun is at its worst. A combination of all these would be the best natural remedy for avoiding sun damage to the skin.
Another tip to avoid premature aging, wrinkles, or skin discoloration is to avoid using tanning beds.
Another tip to avoid premature aging, wrinkles, or skin discoloration is to avoid using tanning beds.
Try rub on tanning creams or lotions that help bring out your natural glow without exposing your skin to more harmful rays. Let’s face it, healthy glowing skin looks better than dark, aged and dry skin!
A final tip for anti-aging skin care is to clean your skin gently. Many people fall victim to over cleaning their face which causes more damage. Scrubbing your face with a cleanser is not necessarily needed. Rub lightly and let the foaming actions do its part and then rinse. Or if you use an all natural skin care product, try to use them when needed and not over do it just because you are seeing excellent results. Reading the directions thoroughly on any product can help you get the best results.
The Fear of Aging Not So Gracefully
We start to think about anti aging products because when it comes to aging, many men and women feel that they will not age so gracefully. Time spent in the sun with no sunscreen as a kid, those late night parties as a young adult and the never ending nights spent worrying about financial troubles, trial and tribulations can all wreak havoc on the skin and the body. This leads the aging person to the use of antiaging products in hopes of combating Mother Nature.
Anti-aging products work in one of two ways, either internally or externally. The internal products are often offered in supplement form while the external antiaging products can be purchased as lotions, and creams. These lotion and creams work in a very similar manner to the internal antiaging supplements and often contain many of the same ingredients.
Internal antiaging products are formulated from vitamins, minerals and nutrients known to have a negative effect on free radicals in the body. These free radicals collect over time due to environmental pollution and internal cellular processes. Vitamins and minerals can be used in supplement form to negate the effects of these free radicals and thus repairing the skin at a cellular level. This skin repair may make the skin appear fuller and more youthful in appearance.
External anti-aging products often use the same vitamins and minerals prepared in lotion or cream form. These products are much more pronounced in that they are often marketed toward a certain area of the body. There are facial creams, eye creams, hand creams and all over body creams that claim to hold antiaging qualities. These products have often not been tested by the FDA, but have shown a positive effect on overall skin health in studies held by the manufacturers of the products.
When it comes to antiaging and fighting that fear of aging brought on by the adding years in our lives, there are many choices for renewing the look and feel of the skin of the body. The skin is often the first part of our bodies that is seen and thus the part that tends to be the one focused on when anti aging products are produced and marketed. Anti aging products will certainly hydrate the skin and lessen the effects of the appearance of aging through a renewed outer layer of protection.
Isabella ♥
