Health Treats - Know Your Skin

What You Need to Know about Your skin at Different Ages

Age may be “just a number,” but around the time that it starts to announce itself on your face, you may be wondering how you can keep that number to yourself. And while a host of potions and procedures promise to keep your skin looking as young as you feel, it can be hard to figure out which ones actually work. With this in mind, we’ve compiled a list of important skin care tips that you should know and follow, depending on your current age.

30 to 40 years

This is the time when you might begin to notice fine lines appearing around your eyes, or that your skin tone looks a bit uneven. Here’s what to do:

SPF 15 or higher : If you aren’t already using a daily moisturizer or foundation with an SPF of 15 or higher, start slathering it on, stat. Look for a product labeled “broad-spectrum,” meaning it protects you from both wrinkle-causing UVA rays and burning UVB rays.
Antioxidants: Environmental agents can break down collagen and elastin, the supportive fibers that make
your skin firm and elastic. Antioxidants protect existing collagen and elastin and stimulate the production of new collagen. Look for products that include idebenone, vitamins C and E, green or white tea, and grape seed extract.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) - Alpha hydroxy acids can also help by sloughing off the dead cells that
make skin look dull. AHAs such as glycolic acid (from sugar) and lactic acid (from milk) are available in concentrations of up to 10 percent in over-the-counter lotions. If after 4 to 6 weeks you’re not happy with the results, your dermatologist may recommend an in office procedure that uses a blend of more-potent ingredients.

Problem areas to consider:

Eyes : The eyes have thinner, more-sensitive skin. As a general rule, if your facial moisturizer doesn’t irritate the skin beneath your eyes, experts say that you can go ahead and use it in that area. But if you begin to notice redness or irritation, you might want to substitute an eye cream instead. Make sure the cream you choose includes the basics, such as sunscreen and antioxidants. Look for ingredients like
caffeine and magnolia extract to reduce puffiness; cone flower to cool and soothe; or vitamin K to lessen
dark circles.
Breakouts : Up to 50 percent of women over age 25 have adult acne. Hormones are most likely the problem. To target breakouts without over drying your skin, wash your face twice daily with a gentle non soap lotion, and avoid harsh toners that contain alcohol. Use a non comedogenic (non-pore- logging) moisturizer with moisture-attracting humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, but stay away from pore blockers such as mineral oil and lanolin.

40 to 50 years

This is when skin starts to look blotchy, with small dark spots and some red areas. You may also notice your skin feels dry or rough, and it may appear a little dull. Here’s what to do:

Lightening Ingredients : plotchy appearance stems from a combination of skin type and sun exposure. Over-the-counter products that contain lightening ingredients such as hydroquinone can help fade dark spots on skin of every shade. You may also want to consider microdermabrasion, in which tiny aluminum oxide crystals are blown onto he skin and then vacuumed off along with dead cells. But if your skin is extremely rudy or blotchy, a chemical peel performed in a doctor’s office is a better bet.
Humectants : As you age, decreasing estrogen levels influence the production of other substances in your body, such as hyaluronic acid (a naturally occurring chemical that helps keep skin firm). Oil production also slows down, reducing natural lubrication. To help counteract these changes, use creams that contain humectants (like glycerin, citric acid, propylene glycol, urea, and phospholipids) and emollients (such as petrolatum, shea butter, and cetyl alcohol) to seal in moisture.

Problem areas to consider:

Frown Lines and Furrows : Moisturizers or makeup with light reflecting particles can help reduce the appearance of deep lines. Tiny flecks create an optical illusion that cuts your face into soft focus, helping camouflage imperfections. If you’ve got the money and the inclination, Botox injections are another option. A purified form of the botulinum toxin, Botox blocks the signals that re transmitted from nerve fibers to facial muscles, temporarily paralyzing them. Within a week or so, furrows become less noticeable and stay that way for about 3 to 6 months.

50 Years & Above

This is when you’ll start to notice sagging skin in the neck area. Also, after years of sun exposure, you may have age spots covering your hands and chest. Here’s what to do:

Retinoids, AHAs, and Antioxidants : Combination of these treatments can help smooth out some of the fine lines on the surface of the neck, fade brown spots, and improve skin tone overall. If you want moredramatic and faster results, ask your dermatologist about lasers. Treatments are now being used to tighten the muscles in the neck area, which may help give it a firmer appearance.
Bleaching Agents : The skin on your hands and chest tends to be thinner and more delicate than other areas. For hands, a year-round lotion with sunscreen and AHAs is a good choice. To fade minor age spots, try a bleaching cream that contains hydroquinone; it’s available over the counter in 2 percent concentrations. Darker spots may call for professional help. A dermatologist could prescribe a potent bleaching agent combined with a retinoid or a cream containing vitamin C and AHAs.

Problem areas to consider:

Lips : If you’re lips seem to be getting thinner, it’s because they tend to lose moisture and collagen over time. However, new balms and treatments can create the impression of fullness. Primers can be applied under color to fill in lines and emphasize the shape of your mouth. Also, using balms containing ingredients like menthol and vitamin C will help make lips look more luscious.

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