As you age, your skin undergoes biological and metabolic changes and the skin loses its elasticity, and wrinkles and age spots form. A further loss in muscle flexibility may also cause the skin to sag. Cellular activity, including cell renewal, slows down, causing skin to get flaky and dry. You can minimize the appearance of older looking skin by indulging in a healthy diet rich in vitamins, calcium and antioxidants, and by using anti-aging creams and lotions. You can also undergo treatments to tighten up facial and body tissue to renew your skin's look and feel. As with any treatment, it is important to consult with a medical practitioner before you begin.
To Combat Wrinkles
Alpha hydroxy acids are derived from fruit and milk sugars and penetrate the skin to smooth out wrinkles. AHAs include glycolic acid and lactic acid. Low concentration doses are available in over-the-counter creams and lotions, but for deeper wrinkles, your dermatologist may recommend a higher dosage. While Botox is another choice to reduce wrinkles, Dr. David Becker, assistant professor of dermatology at Weill Cornell Medical College told the "New York Daily News" that the injections may cause muscles activity in areas close to the injected zone, leading to newer wrinkles arising.
To Plump Up the Skin
With age, your skin loses its elasticity and begins to sag. One of the main reasons for this is loss of collagen and elastin. According to SmartSkinCare.com, topical treatments containing retinol, which is known to promote collagen production can have a mild effect. For a more permanent cure, a noninvasive procedure, such as percutaneous collagen induction or skin needling, may be needed to tighten skin in the face and jaw line.
To Combat Muscle Laxity and Atrophy
There is a natural tendency for older skin to lose its muscle tone, leading to facial sag and muscles drooping in the face and jaw line. One solution, says SmartSkinCare.com, is to regularly perform facial exercises to tone muscles and keep them supple. A more effective method could be the use of facial electrical muscle stimulation where a machine sends electrical impulses to your face to encourage muscles to contract. Cosmetic surgery may also be used to tighten drooping or sagging facial skin.
To Fade Age Spots
Dr. John F. Romano says in "Prevention's Healing With Vitamins" that Retin-A can be effective when used in conjunction with other therapies to fade age spots. Retin-A can irritate aged and dry skin, and should be used with a good sunscreen and rich moisturizer that is enriched with vitamin C and A. These vitamins are known to stimulate skin exfoliation leading to old skin cells being replaced by new ones.
To Remove Fat Folds
Liposuction under local anesthesia can remove fat folds from the body and eliminate bulges and soft, drooping skin, says the American Academy of Dermatology's website. Dermal fillers can redistribute this fat to other areas to create a more even look.
Other Treatments
Aging skin may also be exposed to other conditions such as dryness, skin lesions, seborrheic keratoses or wart-like growths, and seborrheic dermatitis or greasy looking scales on the skin. Most of these can be treated quite effectively by over-the-counter topical medication, though in some cases, a visit to the dermatologist might be necessary.
Member Comments