Caring for Facial Skin as You Age

As we age, our bodies begin to change. We gain weight in different areas, lose elasticity in our facial skin and struggle with health issues we’d never experienced in our youth. The first place aging is seen is most often in the face, a change that can be devastating for most. Some embrace the change as a part of life, while others seek out answers for how to regain control of their body. Americans spend billions of dollars on anti-aging serums each year, a symbolic gesture of the population’s desire to rediscover facial skin of their youth. But these creams are often ineffective. The true foundation to better skin lies within the facial care routine. The way you wash, moisturize and protect against the sun can either increase or slowdown the aging process. In fact, shielding your skin from the sun is the easiest way to keep your skin looking younger for longer. Those who made mistakes in skin protection when they were younger may find they have lost their youthful glow. Thankfully, there are ways to prevent further damage, while even rejuvenating skin to appear less dull and red.

• Purchase a broad-spectrum facial sunscreen that contains at least five per cent zinc oxide for the greatest amount of protection from the sun. Never go out without the cream, as even a small amount of sunlight can damage facial skin. For further sun protection, wear a broad-brimmed hat. Most importantly, don’t visit indoor tanning salons. Your skin may appear more golden at the time, but those rays can devastate your facial skin.
• It’s often said that a woman is worth an extra five minutes to care for her skin after a shower. With that being said, take the time each morning to apply a moisturizer on your face and other parts of your body; apply lip balm, as well. It may add a small amount of time to your morning routine, but you’ll soon see a difference in the quality of your skin.
• Choose a gentle cleanser and use it twice a day. As you sleep dry skin cells and sweat can clog your pores, and throughout the day smog, grime, dirt and makeup, amongst other culprits, do the same. Look for products free from fragrance and 100 per cent natural, if possible. Many chemicals and fragrances can clog pores, create blotchiness and breakouts.
• What you eat can be seen both in and outside of your body. Fatty and sugary foods can cause breakouts and oiliness, while lean meats, fish and greens can produce a healthy glow. Not only will you feel healthier, your skin will look brighter.
• Get plenty of sleep, and make sure you don’t sleep on your face. Most people require between six and eight hours each evening, and during this time your body can rejuvenate and produce a healthy shine. When you aren’t rested, eyes appear dark and puffy, which makes the you appear worn out and aged.
• Cigarette smoke can devastate the body, especially the facial skin. Around the mouth, skin withers and wrinkles, while others will experience redness, breakouts and dark spots. If your skin has lost its glow and you’re at least an occasional smoker, you’ll need to quit if you truly want to see a positive effect in your facial appearance. Smokers have abundantly more wrinkles than non-smokers, often appearing much older than those who have never put a cigarette to their lips. Smoking damages the elastin in your skin; when you stop you should begin to see a difference after a few weeks.
• There are thousands of products around the globe that claim to reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Unfortunately, these products are often ineffective. While they may protect against gaining more wrinkles, they most certainly cannot eliminate deep wrinkles. Cosmetic surgery can play a large part in wrinkle reduction. Lasers applied to the skin in an outpatient treatment target problem areas by removing a single layer of skin each application. Cosmetic fillers can also provide temporary relief; talk to a top professional in your area to determine the best type for your age and lifestyle.
• Liver or age spots are dark spots that appear on the face. Often accompanied by dry skin, these blemishes truly age the sufferer. A cosmetic doctor can provide out-patient treatments to lighten the area, while laser treatments can help reduce the appearance in problem areas. For raised spots, some specialists may even turn to cryotherapy, which will target and remove spots.

About the Author: Beth A. Stevens is a contributing author and former medical nurse in the cosmetology field. She spent over 25 years helping patients during their consultations, surgeries and post-operative care. When her daughter decided to have cosmetic treatments, they determined http://www.gregganskemd.com/ was the most skilled in the area.

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