Americans appear to be on never-ending quest to stop and/or reverse the signs of aging. Harvard Medical School says consumers spend approximately $1.6 billion dollars annually in the United States on anti-aging skin care products. As you age, your skin loses much of its elasticity and becomes drier and thinner. This leads to sagging and the formation of lines and wrinkles. Since older skin is more fragile, it becomes harder to protect itself from harmful environmental effects, such as sun exposure. There is no shortage of treatments available to help restore youthfulness to aging skin.
Anti-Wrinkle Creams
Topical retinoids (Tretinoin, Renova and Retin-A) and tazarotene (Avage and Tazorac) are derivatives of Vitamin A. These prescription creams can help diminish fine lines and wrinkles and have a smoothing effect on your skin. Over-the-counter anti-wrinkle creams may produce brief, moderate results. The Mayo Clinic says these include retinol, alpha hydroxy acids, coenzyme Q10 and copper peptides.
Fillers
The American Academy of Dermatology says lines that develop from repeated facial expressions, such as frowning or smiling, can be successfully treated with injectable soft tissue dermal fillers, such as collagen, fat and hyaluronic acid (Restylane, Juvederm). A naturally produced toxin known as botulinum (Botox) is especially effective on frown lines between the eyebrows and on the forehead. Fillers are injected directly into wrinkles for a plumping and smoothing effect. The results usually last three or four months.
Chemical Peels
A chemical peed involves the application of an acid (glycolic, salicylic) that burns the outer layer (epidermis) of the skin. This stimulates the formation of new, smoother skin.
Dermabrasion
Dermabrasion involves sanding down the skins outer layer with a fast moving rotary brush. Microdermabrasion is a similar procedure, although its vacuum suctioning device removes only a very finer layer of skin.
Laser Resurfacing
Laser therapy uses a laser beam to damage the outer layer of skin while applying penetrating heat to the deeper layer (dermis). This encourages the formation of new collagen fibers. As the wound heals over a period of weeks or months, smoother and tighter skin begins to form.
Facelift
An invasive anti-aging skin treatment is the conventional facelift. This surgical procedure involves removing excess skin in your lower face and neck and lifting the tissues and muscles that lie beneath the surface. Although recovery can take several weeks, the results can last up to 10 years.
Solution
Many of the fine lines and wrinkles that are associated with aging can be prevented. Make sure to wear a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and try to stay out of the sun during its peak hours of 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Applying moisturizers can plump up dry skin and temporarily lessen the appearances of wrinkles. If you smoke, quitting can ward off additional wrinkles down the road and improve the overall texture and tone of your skin.
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