Does Ageing has to Happen to You?

Ageing is a natural process. In the broader sense, ageing can refer to single cells within an organism which have ceased dividing, or to the population of a species.

While this is a natural process, there have always been attempts to reverse the effects of the natural ageing process. We might not achieve immortality, but there's always dermatologists available to investigate the problem. So, let's look at how various aspects of ageing are resolved by Dermatologists around the globe.

Wrinkles & Ageing Lines

Most commonly, wrinkles appear as we get older. However, they may also after the skin is immersed in water for a long time. Sun damage, smoking, some medications, as well as several other factors may also cause wrinkles to develop. They can appear all over your body, as one can see old people covered in all kinds of wrinkles. They appear in the parts of the body which receive the most sun exposure for e.g. Back of hands, Face, Neck & Forearms.

Wrinkles are treated based on the cause of wrinkles. Topical Retinoids, Wrinkle Creams, Microdermabrasion, Chemical Peels, Botox, Lasers & fillers are the most common form of treatment. But it's always best to consult a dermatologist for appropriate treatment.

Dark Circles

Dark Circles or discoloration of the under-eye skin tends to age us more than wrinkles or grey hair. It affects many of us from time to time. Dark Circles can happen due to environmental and internal factors. Top reason includes Allergies, Eczemaedity, Nutritional deficiency, Nasal congestion, Thinning of skin, Frequent rubbing of eyes among others.

Depending on what's causing the dark circles around your eyes, your doctor may recommend depigmenting creams such as, Kojic acid, retinoic acid and ascorbic acid preparations or a combination of these to erase or reduce discoloration. Laser Resurfacing, Injectable soft tissue fillers, Chemical peels & Acugel therapy are also used in certain cases.

Sun & the Skin

We might need sunlight for strong bones, but excess exposure can cause severe problems with your skin. Sunlight consists of 2% Ultraviolet light, which can be divided into UVA, UVB & UVC.

• UVB is the main cause of sunburn,
• UVA can augment or add to the effects of UVB on the skin.
• UVC is the most dangerous

Both UVA & UVB are responsible for pigmentation. Pigmentation of skin along with wrinkling. As a preventive measure, dermatologists recommend the use of sunscreen every day.

Tanning is a natural defence of the skin but is not effective against excessive exposure. Immediate tanning is caused by UVA. Whereas UVB is responsible for delayed tanning. Avoid tanning lotions & reduce sunbathing. Your skin type is also a factor for improper tanning.

Exposure to the sun can also cause thickening of the outer layer of the skin.

It is important to avoid excessive sun exposure. The sun's rays are strongest between the hours of 10am to 3pm. Clothing also has some bearing on the effects of sun exposure. Cotton fabrics provide superior protection from sunlight and tightly woven fabrics afford better protection than loose weaves.

Regularly using sunscreen is an important part of basic skin care. If you are going to use sunscreens, you would know about the types as well. There are basically two types of sunscreens:

• Physical sunscreens contain opaque, physical barriers such as titanium dioxide and zinc oxide which reflect the light energy,
• Chemical sunscreens, which contain chemical ingredients such as paramino-benzoic acid, avobenzone, to absorb the ultraviolet rays.

The SPF (Sun Protection Factor) indicates the degree of protection the sunscreen offers. Generally, an SPF of 20 or more is advised. Always opt for a sunscreen which absorbs both UVA and UVB. As a guide, most sunscreens should be applied at least twenty to thirty minutes before going out. You should re-apply after prolonged swimming or excessive perspiration.

Despite high SPF, certain products hardly provide any protection against UVA. So, choose a sun care product that is as effective against UVA rays as against UVB rays. UVS index is the protection against photo ageing and immediate pigmentation. UVA 16 increases 16 times the natural resistance of the skin against UVA.

Final Word

Ageing happens to everybody. It's not a choice. What is a choice, is to age gracefully. You could read up on precautions and prevent skin issues or consult a qualified dermatologist for every single issue you face in the future. As they say, Prevention is better than cure. Make the smart choice.

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