Great Tips For Rejuvenating Aging Skin
Aging is a natural part of life. Your skin will develop wrinkles and darker pigmentation, become thinner, and appear dull after many years of being exposed to the sun, environmental free radicals, and typical life events like weight fluctuations or stress.
Fortunately there are many things you can do to minimize the effects of aging, even if you’re already noticing symptoms.
Typical skin aging by decade
In order to promote natural rejuvenation and keep mature skin looking its best, it is essential to understand the aging progression. Here are some of the most common concerns patients experience during their 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s:
Age 40 – 50: Many people in their 40’s report thinning skin, which frequently presents with the appearance of superficial blood vessels within the skin. Depending on the amount of sun exposure/damage you’ve experienced over the years, you will likely exhibit signs of photoaging during this decade – things like wrinkles, age spots, and hyperpigmentation. Finally, the skin will most likely produce less oil resulting in dry skin and a decreased cellular turnover rate. This often causes patients to describe their skin as “more dull than before.”
Age 50 – 60: This decade marks the primary time for the development of deep lines and wrinkles as the skin experiences continual moisture and volume loss. As skin elasticity decreases with the decrease in collagen and elastin, you may notice loose or sagging skin around your eyes or jawline. For postmenopausal women, the decrease in estrogen usually equates to even further thinning and drying of the skin.
Over 60: After 60, many will notice significant skin dryness and decreases in skin cell turnover, to the degree where skin healing slows dramatically. Wrinkling and sagging of the skin may continue to persist, along with hallowing of the cheeks as a result of continued fat volume loss.
How to take care of aging skin
Now that we have a basic understanding of how and why the skin ages, here are some simple yet effective tips for taking care of mature skin. These tips can reduce the skin’s current aging rate, minimize aging related issues you are already experiencing, and promote overall healthy looking and feeling skin:
Sun Protection
The most effective way to reduce the signs of aging in the skin is to practice proper sun protection. Limiting exposure to harmful UVA and UVB rays, even in your later years, can help slow down the skin’s aging. Remember to always wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high sun protection value (SPF). I recommend patients apply at least SPF 30 and reapply every 2 hours. It’s also recommended to limit your time outdoors during peak sun hours (typically 10:00 am to 2:00 pm). Finally, when outdoors consider wearing sun protective clothing, polarized sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat.
Maintain a Healthy Diet
Focus on eating fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants. Green leafy vegetables like spinach and kale are extremely high in vitamins and are great for the skin. Foods like salmon, walnuts, and flaxseed oils are filled with Omega-3, which is an essential fatty acid that promotes healthy cell formation in the skin.
Drink Alcohol Only in Moderation
Drinking alcohol dilates blood vessels in the skin and increases the blood flow near the surface of the skin. Overstressing the liver with alcohol can result in a sallow complexion along with promoting the “bad collagen” also known as scar tissue. Blood vessels can become permanently damaged by alcohol over time leading to a blotchy, uneven, red complexion.
Quit Smoking
Smoking cigarettes is particularly bad for mature skin for several reasons. First, the nicotine causes swelling of blood vessels which, when combined with thinning of the skin, results in capillaries appearing more prominent. Smoking also reduces the body’s collagen production, causing increased sagging of the skin. Even the simple act of smoking, the repeated puckering of the lips, causes wrinkle and line formation around the lips and mouth. Finally, smoking depletes the body of vitamin C which is a necessary element for hydrated and plump skin.
Reduce Sugar Consumption
High sugar consumption over extended periods can cause wrinkles and dulling of the skin. Sugar in the bloodstream leads to the formation of molecules called advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which damage healthy skin proteins including collagen. Since collagen is the most prevalent protein in the body, once damaged it becomes brittle and leads to sagging.
Regular Exfoliation
The process of exfoliation, which removes the top dead layer of the skin, helps speed up the skin’s natural healing process and initiates the production of collagen. Exfoliation also removes dry, dull, or rough patches to reveal more youthful appearing skin. Manual exfoliation with an automated brush is a great way to expedite exfoliation. Also consider applying a daily retinol to exfoliate the skin and minimize pores.
Face Massages
Massaging your face daily will boost the production of collagen, give skin a more plump appearance and help stimulate the lymph glands to promote clear skin. Clarisonic and Foreo Luna devices are helpful in aiding facial massage.
Skincare Products
There are many over-the-counter or prescription skincare products that can help rejuvenate and manage mature skin. High quality moisturizers can provide necessary hydration while helping mature skin maintain a proper level of moisture. Vitamin A and E products can also help mature skin retain water to promote plump and healthy skin. Finally, retinoid-based products (available by prescription only) have been proven to boost collagen production, even in mature skin that exhibits collagen deficiencies.
Katie Fowler, MPAS, PA-C, Certified Physician Assistant, graduated from The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas where she earned a Master of Physician Assistant Studies. Katie joined Westlake Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery in the spring of 2012. Katie is certified by the National Commission of Certification for Physician Assistants and is licensed through the Texas Medical Board.
Any tips on aging prevention for us 30 somethings 🙂
Hi Kelsey, thanks for reading out blog! We actually have this great post on aging prevention for younger skin: https://www.westlakedermatology.com/blog/aging-prevention-for-30-somethings. Please give it a read. It’s never to late to start with prevention!
Thanks,
WD Staff
Great advice for taking care of your skin. I need to start a new regimen for my dry skin so this was quite the wake up call. Thanks for sharing.