Sunscreen helps, but it is just the beginning. Consider, too, what you apply to your skin, skincare procedures, what you eat and your hormone levels to help you care for your aging skin.
It’s never, ever, too early to start an anti-aging, anti-wrinkle skin care plan. Think PREVENTION is key! And it is also never too late to slow down and start reversing the signs of aging skin. Think REWIND the hands of time!
SO HERE ARE THE STEPS TO ACHIEVE YOUR BEST LOOKING SKIN:
Step One: Practice Sun Protection Every Day
The single most important anti-aging thing you can do for your skin daily is to apply a medical grade SPF (sun protection factor) sunscreen of 30 or above, preferably with zinc oxide or titanium oxide to protect you from the harmful rays of the sun. Damage from the sun makes up 85% of the aging that you see on your skin as you age. The sun breaks down collagen and elastin, two important fibers in keeping the skin firm, toned, and free of fine lines and wrinkles. Medical grade sunscreens contain higher quantities of protectants to protect your skin and antioxidants and anti-inflammatories to help heal skin damage and protect the skin from harmful free radicals and pollutants. Over the Counter sunscreens have very low percentages of protectants, lack antioxidants, and have parabens, chemicals, fragrances, and other additives which are harmful and irritating to the skin as well as aging to the skin.
Wearing sunscreen is not just for summer days or to protect your skin at the beach only, it should be worn daily as an aging preventative. That is because the aging effects of the sun can zero in on the skin even during everyday activities, such as driving, walking through a parking lot, walking the dog, or watching your child’s soccer game…basically any time of the year.
Tasha and Mia’s Product Recommendation: Try using SkinCeuticals Physical UV Defense SPF 50 and Skinceuticals Physical Eye UV Defense SPF 50.
For Oiler skin types try: Obagi Matte SPF 50 or Skinceuticals Physical Matte SPF 50.
For Sensitive, Rosacea, or Post Procedure skin types try: Skinceuticals Physical UV Defense Delicate Care SPF 30.
Step Two: Reach for the RIGHT Anti-Aging Skin Care Products
Ever hear that saying, you get what you pay for? Well that saying holds true for skin care products. However, not all skin care products are created equal and with skin care being a billion dollar industry there are a ton of gimmicks out there! To avoid the gimmicks and get results, always use medical grade skin care products. Medical grade skin care products are created to change the skin at a cellular level to show visible results and have scientific research behind them to show the efficacy. Medical grade products differ from Over the Counter (OTC) products (which are found in stores, department stores, on TV, online and tiered selling programs such as Avon, Mary Kay, Arbonne, etc.)
Medical grade products are found in Medical Spas (if under a doctor’s license), Dermatology Offices, Doctors’ Offices and Wellness Clinics. Medical grade products have high levels of active ingredients that rejuvenate and transform the skin at a cellular level while Over the Counter products have little to no active ingredients and at best are simply a moisturizer.
Below is a list of active ingredients that are vital to the skin and a brief explanation of their benefit:
- Growth Factors: Growth Factors are naturally occurring proteins in the body that are critical in skin repair and remodeling. However, as we age (starting at the age of 30 in fact) our Growth Factors decrease. Topically applying Growth Factors is vital in increasing collagen, improving fine lines, wrinkles, skin texture, tone and eliminating blotchy skin. Growth Factors applied topically work to maintain a healthy skin structure, reverse the skin aging process, and stimulate cellular activity and collagen production.
Tasha and Mia’s Recommendation: Skin Medica TNS Essential Serum, Skin Medica TNS Recovery Complex or Obagi Regenica.
- Retinols:Retinols are clinically proven to unclog pores, improve acne, improve hyperpigmentation, and reduce fine lines and wrinkles and to thicken collagen, the support structure in the skin that gives it youthful plumpness. Retinols help with cellular turnover and bring healthy skin cells to the surface quicker for a healthy, radiant glow. Effective Retinols are available through medical skin care lines such as Obagi, Skinceuticals and Skin Medica and by prescription, such as Retin-A and Tretinoin in several strengths. Retinols are applied at night only, as the sun will stop the efficacy. Retinols will cause sensitivity to the sun, it is important to wear a good quality medical grade sunscreen. You should notice a difference in your skin’s appearance in about six to eight weeks with proper usage.
Tasha and Mia’s Recommendation: Skinceuticals Retinol 0.5/1.0, Skin Medica Retinol 0.5, or Obagi Retinol 0.5 or Obagi NuDerm Prescription Strength Tretinoin 0.5/1.0 (by Rx only).
- Peptides: Peptides are amino acids that have cell communicating abilities that help the skin to repair itself. Peptides penetrate to the collagen layer to thicken and plump it, which lessens fine lines and wrinkles.
Tasha and Mia’s Recommendation: Obagi Professional C- Peptide Complex and Skin Medica TNS Essential Serum.
- Antioxidants and Vitamin C: help to improve inflammation, reverse damage, firm skin, improve the appearance of scars and hyperpigmentation, increase circulation, improve texture, soften fine lines and wrinkles and give a youthful glow.
Tasha and Mia’s Recommendations: Skinceuticals CE Ferulic, Skinceuticals Phlorentin CF gel/serum, Skinceuticals C+AHA, Skinceuticals AOX Serum 15, Skinceuticals AOX Eye Gel, Skinceuticals Resveratrol, Skin Medica TNS Essential Serum.
Step Three: Medical Grade Services and Treatments
Have a consultation with an experienced Medical Aesthetician or Doctor regarding the in-office treatments that can treat your skin concerns. There are many treatments available that can tighten skin, stimulate collagen production, add volume, reduce sun damage, improve hyperpigmentation, https://drksmedspa.com/, and soften scars, fine lines and wrinkles.
Procedures that will give noticeable results being used for anti-aging skin therapy here at Dr. K’s Medspa include:
- Microdermabrasion
- Dermaplaning
- Chemical Peels
- Red Light Therapy
- Microcurrent
- Botox, Dysport, Xeomin
- Facial Fillers (Juvederm, Voluma, Boletero)
- Laser Treatments Fraxel 1540, Icon Skin Tightening, Icon IPL, Photorejuvenation
Step Four: Start an Anti-Aging Diet
You are what you eat, therefore what goes in your body is so important for how your skin looks, feels, and repairs itself. Your skin is the largest organ that you have and it is an organ that excretes toxins. If you are constantly polluting your body with toxic foods then your skin will show it with a dull appearance and possibly other concerns such as acne, rosacea, and dry or irritated skin. Making some simple changes in your eating habits can have a major impact on your skin.
The following are some simple steps that you can take to start seeing positive changes in your skin:
- Upon rising in the morning, instead of reaching for your coffee first, start your day with 1 to 2 cups of spring water or 1 cup of hot spring water with half of a squeezed lemon. This will help to flush toxins from the body. Make sure to drink at least 64 ounces of fluid a day. Water, green tea, white tea, herbal teas, and black coffee (1-3 cups a day) are acceptable fluids.
- Eat 8 to 10 servings of colorful vegetables and fruits daily. The antioxidants in vegetables and fruits help to stop unstable molecules (free radicals) from damaging healthy cells, make your skin look younger, and make skin smoother in texture. So at each meal, fill about half your plate with fruits and vegetables.
- Take vitamin and mineral supplements to enhance nutrition. Even if you are eating a well-balanced diet, due to the quality of foods and soil depletion, even fruits and vegetables can lack the nutrient value that they should offer. Supplements help to fill in the gaps so you have optimum nutrition levels. Try taking a good quality multivitamin and Fish Oils.
- Fish is high in Omega Fatty Acids and oils, which offer many anti-aging benefits. Make a point to eat fish three times a week to help your skin keep from aging from the inside out.
- Eat a fiber rich diet by incorporating whole grains. Eating whole grains rich in fiber such as quinoa, steel cut oats, barley and wheat helps to move yeast and fungus out of the body, preventing it from being excreted through your skin where it can trigger acne or rashes.
Foods to AVOID: For the best Anti-Aging Diet, it is important to limit foods that can harm your body.It’s easy if you follow these guidelines:- Go easy on high-fat meats, high-fat dairy, and bakery treats. Opt for Wild Alaskan Salmon or Grass-fed Beef, and Almond Milk.
- Limit sugar as much as possible. Most people do not realize this but excess sugar is considered one of the main causes of aging, aside from sun damage.
- Limit salt, or sodium, intake. Excess salt retains additional fluid in the body causing swelling and a puffy look to the skin.
- Botox, Dysport, Xeomin
- Facial Fillers (Juvederm, Voluma, Boletero)
- Laser Treatments Fraxel 1540, Icon Skin Tightening, Icon IPL, Photorejuvenation
Step Five: Get moving…Exercise!
Exercise stimulates blood flow. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients to working cells throughout the body, including the skin. In addition, increased blood flow helps carry away waste products from working cells, flushing cellular debris from your system. Think of it as cleansing your skin from the inside out. Exercise also decreases stress, a major factor in premature aging. Conditions that can improve when stress is reduced include eczema, aging, oiliness and acne.
Step Six: Bioidentical Hormone Optimization
Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy can make a big difference by reducing the aging process and providing increased energy as well. Aging, especially in the skin, accelerates when hormone levels are not at their optimum levels. Of all hormones that decline with age, estrogen has the most dramatic effect on the skin. Estrogen is known to slow down skin aging. Lack of proper hormone levels can create significant decrease in skin thickness with marked thinning in the epidermis (outer skin layer), and loss of critical collagen, resulting in deterioration of the skins structure. This creates deeper wrinkles, deeper scars, and widened pores. The more rapid the collagen loss, the more dramatic the appearance of aging. Proper Bioidentical Hormone Replacement with estrogen, progesterone and testosterone is a complex decision requiring the analysis of one’s medical history and a physician who has the knowledge to expertly balance hormone levels.
Tasha and Mia’s Recommendation: Schedule a consultation with Dr. K to evaluate your hormone levels and start your Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy regimen.