With every day that goes by, your skin is impacted by UV rays, pollutants, and other external influences. You also have to deal with internal changes like the reduced production of collagen and elastin and changes in hormone levels. Over time, these internal and external forces will leave their marks on your appearance. Fine lines and wrinkles, uneven tone, dark spots, and other flaws will all appear on the skin as we age, but there are ways to prevent and improve the appearance of these irregularities and get younger looking skin. Below, you’ll find tips for younger looking skin and the simple steps you can take to keep your skin looking and feeling youthful for years to come.
1 – To Get Younger Looking Skin – Follow Your ABCs
Many dermatologists have used the ABCs of skin care literally – offering 26 or more tips to achieving healthy, youthful skin. But, according to Dr. Trisha Patel of U.S. Dermatology Partners Dallas Presbyterian, it may be even simpler than that. Dr. Patel says that “Youthful skin may be as easy as just remembering these three – ‘A’ use antioxidants daily to prevent signs of aging, ‘B’ use sunscreen daily to create a barrier from the sun’s damaging UVA/B rays, and ‘C’ use vitamin C serum to strengthen skin and repair sun damage.”
Antioxidants, or retinoids, are compounds derived from vitamin A. The dermis and epidermis layers of skin cells are both considered retinoid-responsive tissues. They contain proteins that are particularly responsive to the biological effects of vitamin A. Preventive applications of retinoids can help protect the skin from signs of photoaging or changes to the skin that occur due to exposure to ultraviolet radiation (sunlight). Applying retinoids on a regular basis can make the skin appear smoother, even out skin tone, and diminish the appearance of wrinkles. To maintain the improved skin appearance, you’ll need to develop a long-term plan for continual retreatment.
Barriers between the skin and harsh and damaging elements like sunlight, dirt, oil, allergens, chemicals, and pollutants are also important. This can refer to physical barriers. Like putting on a pair of gloves to protect your hands if you work with chemicals or wearing a hat to protect the face, scalp, neck, and chest from sunlight. It also refers to applying topical sunscreens and other protectants to limit skin irritation and damage.
The final step in your simple anti-aging routine is vitamin C. Aging reduces the production of collagen, but vitamin C may improve this production. Whether consumed as part of your diet, through supplements or applied topically, vitamin C is an essential element for skin health. Specifically, vitamin C serum may help prevent and treat signs of aging related to UV damage.
2 – Should I Use OTC or RX Anti-Aging Products?
When it comes to finding the right anti-aging products, there’s likely going to be an element of trial and error. No two people respond in the same way to skin care products. Whether you’re using prescription or over the counter medications, you should be working with a dermatologist. This ensures your safety, and it also helps you to quickly find the best products for your skin type.
3 – Reduce signs of Wrinkles with Gentle Face
One method for preserving collagen, which gives skin the smooth, plump, youthful appearance, is changing the way you wash your face. Many people scrub their face or use harsh, chemical-heavy products to remove makeup. This can cause the breakdown of collagen and significantly increase the signs of fine lines and wrinkles over time. Instead, we recommend using the right products to gently remove makeup and cleanse your skin. First, you should use an oil-based cleanser or eye makeup remover to gently release long-wear, no-smudge make-up products without unnecessarily pulling or scrubbing at the sensitive skin, especially around the eyes. Then, use a gentle, fragrance-free, water-based soap. Use plenty of products to ensure you remove all of the oils, dirt, makeup, and pollutants that build up on the face throughout the day.
4 – Schedule Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections
The treatment itself involves injecting platelets extracted from the patient’s blood back into the skin. Many people think this sounds creepy, but it’s actually a pretty effective way to help the skin produce new collagen. Platelet-rich plasma is full of stem cells, so receiving these treatments once or twice a year can be an effective way to combat the continual loss of collagen as skin ages.
5 – Take Sun Protection Seriously
We can’t give this advice often enough. People know that UV rays from sunlight can lead to skin cancers, but photodamage can also lead to wrinkles, hyperpigmentation, and other adverse effects. Use sunscreen, wear protective clothing, sit in the shade, any barrier you can place between your skin and the sun is beneficial. A great way to protect skin while reducing the appearance of fine lines is applying a layer of antioxidant serum and then a layer of sunscreen. The antioxidant serums will help to neutralize the damaging free radicals that make it through your sunscreen. Free radicals are produced by sunlight, pollutants, chemicals, and heat. This skin care one-two punch also provides moisture. Well moisturized skin will look plump and evenly pigmented, diminishing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
6 – Avoid Rubbing Your Eyes
The urge to rub at the eyes when you’re sleepy, just waking up, or dealing with allergies is strong, but you should try to avoid it. Those people who frequently rub their eyes are much more likely to see darkening of the skin under the eyes. They are also increasing their risk to see sagging below the eyes and wrinkling on the upper and lower eyelids. When you feel the urge to rub your eyes, try to do something else like keeping your eyes closed, blinking, or applying cold compresses.
7 – Get Your Beauty Rest
Lack of sleep can lead to elevated cortisol levels. This, in turn, leads to inflammation. When the skin is inflamed, chronic conditions like acne, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea worsen, and signs of aging like wrinkles are more likely to occur. By putting down your phone or turning off the TV and going to bed an extra hour early each night, you may see a noticeable improvement in your skin’s appearance in just a few weeks.
8 – Stay Active
About half an hour of exercise each day has been shown to improve circulation, reduce stress, and decrease inflammation. All of these factors can contribute to improving the appearance of skin and reducing your risk for fine lines and wrinkles. Adding exercise to your daily routine will also help you feel more relaxed, improve immune function, and keep you healthier overall, so it’s important to make the time for at least 30 minutes of exercise each day.
9 – Stay Hydrated
You’ve probably heard someone say that the body is made up of some large percentage of water, and this is true. More accurately, the body is composed of cells, and these cells are largely composed of water molecules. Without water, organs, including your skin, don’t function properly. If you’re dehydrated, skin cells become less resilient, appearing to be dry, tight, and flaky. Over time, dry skin is much more likely to wrinkle. In order to maintain healthy, youthful skin, drinking adequate amounts of water (at least eight glasses a day) is essential. However, your skin will only receive water after all the other organs, so it’s just as important to trap moisture on the skin. Applying a moisturizer immediately after showering or bathing is one great way to keep moisture on your skin.
10 – Talk to a Dermatologist About Anti-Aging Products & Treatments
Finally, you should schedule an appointment with a dermatologist. Your dermatologist can review the prescription and/or over the counter products you’re using to help you make the best choices for your skin. Dermatologists can also offer in-office treatments like chemical peels and microdermabrasion to help jumpstart your anti-aging skin care routine. If you want to find an experienced dermatologist in your area, start by completing the online appointment request form to get in touch with U.S. Dermatology Partners. Our network of skilled professionals offers exceptional service in state-of-the-art offices where you’ll feel welcomed and relaxed every time you visit.
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