Ideally, we should start thinking about skin care in our 20s or even better, our teenage years. However, many of us are guilty of waiting until the first signs of aging begin to appear. Patients often come to our medical spa in Houston once they’ve reached their 30s and 40s because they want to turn back the clock. I want to use this post as a guide for our patients who are trying to navigate the skincare world and find a regimen that fits their needs. I’ll examine the various causes of skincare aging, as well as what you can do about it.
Decrease in Collagen
As we get older, our bodies produce less collagen. Collagen is the main structural protein found in skin; once it begins to decrease, our skin loses strength and elasticity. This is a major factor in the development of fine lines, wrinkles, and volume loss.
At-Home Remedies
- Retinol products can help increase collagen to smooth and prevent wrinkles.
- Daily use of broad-spectrum sunscreen can help reduce aging of the skin caused by sun damage.
Professional Treatments
- BOTOX ® Cosmetic is a neurotoxin that temporarily relaxes muscles in the face that cause dynamic wrinkles.
- Dermal fillers like JUVÉDERM® and Restylane® are effective solutions for volume loss and wrinkles.
- ThermiSmooth® can be used to not only treat crow’s feet and lip lines, but also mild sagging of the lower eyelids and cheeks.
Change in Hormones
Many people think that hormonal changes only happen during puberty–but they fluctuate throughout adulthood and into menopause. Hormones can also change as the result of environmental toxins, stress, and other lifestyle factors. These changes can affect your skin and often cause adult acne.
At-Home Remedies
- SkinCeuticals® offers clinical strength products that improve the health and appearance of skin through a 3-pronged approach to skin care: prevention, protection and correction.
Professional Treatments
- Aerolase® LightPod Neo laser is the safest and gentlest aesthetic laser available. The Neo’s pulse effectively targets tissue structures without causing any damage to the surrounding skin.
- Salicylic acid peels are specifically recommended for patients with acne.
Slower Cell Turnover
Our cell turnover rate changes throughout our life. Babies and young children have a faster cell turnover rate because they’re growing quickly. This explains why young children have such soft, healthy-looking skin—their cell turnover rate is twice as fast as that of adults, and they always have new skin cells on the surface. As we age, our cell turnover rate slows down. This can cause hyperpigmentation and other skin conditions.
At-Home Remedies
- Antioxidants can treat and prevent future discoloration. SkinCeuticals® is a skincare brand known for their potent antioxidants, including L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E), ferulic acid, and phloretin.
- Exfoliating can increase cell turnover for a more even skin tone. Be gentle, though, and consider using a chemical exfoliant, such as an alpha-hydroxy acid, rather than a physical one.
- Not only can sunscreen prevent wrinkles, it’s also an effective way to prevent hyperpigmentation.
Professional Treatments
- Chemical peels remove outer layers of skin to help banish fine lines, acne, dry patches and discoloration.
Interested in working with our team? Let’s create a customized treatment plan to fit your skin needs. Give us a call at (713) 571-0600 to get started.
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