Despite skin being the largest human organ, many people don’t take the necessary steps to properly take care of it.
As the body ages, the skin’s elastin and collagen break down, making it more difficult for old skin cells to be replaced with new ones. The body’s oil production also slows as the years go by. These combined effects cause skin to appear duller, dryer and more wrinkled.
While around 50 percent of our skin condition depends on genetics, the other 50 percent relies on how well we treat our skin. Follow these tips to practice basic skin care in your younger years:
- Wear sunscreen when going out in the sun. The sun produces free radicals on the skin that cause sun damage. You are never too young to start wearing sunscreen on a daily basis.
- Exfoliate your skin three to four times a week to get rid of dead skin, and to help skin absorb lotions and creams.
- Use an alphahydroxy acid moisturizer. This helps with removing the old skin layer to allow the newer, brighter skin to come up faster.
- Apply an eye cream to reduce wrinkles around the eyes. This is generally done at night before bedtime.
- Eat lots of antioxidant-rich foods such as colorful fruits and vegetables, and stay hydrated.
More advanced skin care techniques may be necessary as you get older. These include the “Four Rs”:
- Relaxing: Chemodenervation injections can further help ease wrinkles and lines.
- Resurfacing: Chemical peels and laser treatments can make damaged outer skin appear brighter and younger.
- Refilling: Dermal fillers can replenish droopy areas of the face and skin that have been negatively affected by aging.
- Re-draping: Surgical procedures can further help problem areas on the skin. These treatments are the most invasive of the options, and should be performed by a reputable, board-certified physician.
Be wary of “miracle cures” and any products that promise overnight results. If it seems too good to be true, it probably is. Although aging skin isn’t something that can be stopped all together, it is a process that can be slowed using the proper practices.
What tips and tricks have you learned over the years that have helped you feel good in your skin?
