You cannot keep youth forever, but it is quite possible to delay the onset of old age by decades. To start anti-aging care, there is no need to wait for the first wrinkles to appear - on the contrary, it is better to take precautions in advance. Let's consider where to start, what to pay attention to and what results to strive for.
How the skin ages
The aging process affects all cells of the body and the skin is no exception. This process is influenced by internal and external factors. The first group includes genetics, ethnicity, and hormone levels—things that are impossible or very difficult to change. The second is stress, exposure to air and ultraviolet pollution, smoking, nutrition, lack of sleep and movement, and various diseases. These factors can be controlled. It is possible to at least partially neutralize the negative effects by providing quality skin care.
With age, many processes on which the condition of the skin depends slow down; for example, cells do not renew themselves as quickly as in youth. Blood circulation deteriorates, and therefore cell nutrition. The level of hydration drops due to the lack of hyaluronic acid and less collagen and elastin are produced. The skin becomes thinner, drier and less elastic and wrinkles appear.
External factors worsen the situation. Thus, as a result of exposure to ultraviolet radiation, the structure of the skin changes, it becomes thinner and less elastic. Smoking slows down the regeneration of the epidermis and damages blood circulation, which leads to the interruption of cell nutrition. Air pollution causes the appearance of age spots and wrinkles.
The good news is that a healthy lifestyle prolongs youth. Eating foods rich in antioxidants, quality sleep and moderate physical activity will help preserve your beauty for a long time.
Prevention or treatment?
It is believed that the skin begins to age at the age of 28. In practice, everything is individual: some reveal the signs of age earlier, and others later, depending on genetic characteristics, health status, lifestyle and the influence of external factors. In any case, there is no need to postpone self-care until the moment when the reflection in the mirror stops singing. Prevention is always more effective and more affordable than treatment, so you should take care in advance to prolong your youth. The further you go, the stronger the tools you will have to use, but to prevent aging it is enough to take good care of your skin and protect it from negative effects.
When choosing cosmetics, you should focus not on the brand, but on the recommendations of a cosmetologist given after a personal examination. All people are different, the aging process also happens differently, and an individual approach is required to correct it. The doctor will determine the appropriate means that correspond not to the calendar, but to the biological age.
Key features of anti-aging care
- Soft effect. It's time to give up harsh scrubs and aggressive products that dry out your skin. Mature skin is sensitive and does not heal well after traumatic procedures. It needs delicate and tender care;
- Mandatory skin protection. The sun is the skin's number 1 enemy. It is not for nothing that there is a special term "photoaging" to refer to the changes that occur in the skin under the influence of ultraviolet rays. With age, the skin becomes more and more difficult to resist their effects. SPF creams will help him with this. It is also necessary to protect the skin from the effects of free radicals;
- Intensive hydration. The immediate cause of tone deterioration and the appearance of wrinkles is a lack of moisture. Anti-aging care is based on deep hydration;
- Stimulation of collagen production. In old age, collagen, which is responsible for the elasticity of the skin, is synthesized more slowly and destroyed more quickly than in youth. This means that additional stimulation of the formation of its own protein compounds necessary to increase the turgor of the epidermis is necessary;
- Not just cream. A thin layer of moisturizer may not be enough. Anti-aging care also includes intensive skin nutrition, the use of exfoliants, masks and serums. The need for professional procedures is also increasing every year;
- Regularity. The new skin will forgive its owner for minor sins, such assh. cosmetics left unwashed overnight or improper care. Adult women must constantly take care of their face, neck and cleavage, day after day, year after year. Only in this case you can count on a visible effect.
Doctor's comment:
There is no need to complicate the process of skin care in your thoughts, start small, with proper care at home! If you have dermatological diseases, then you should consult a dermatologist! Since even high-quality home care will not be able to get you out of the acute process. First, treatment against the background of cosmoceutical care, then only everything else.
Is it possible to do without a cosmetologist?
Aesthetic medicine and cosmetology have not yet made the dream of eternal youth a reality, but they have made it possible to get much closer to its realization. Injection and hardware cosmetology procedures allow you to renew from the inside and restore the skin naturally. However, it would be a mistake to think that it is enough to do a course at a cosmetic clinic once a year, and the rest of the time to neglect the care of your face and body. Professional care should be complemented by home care - continuous, daily. This approach allows you to achieve optimal results and delay aging by many years.
To preserve youth, cosmetic procedures are highly desirable and home antiaging care is absolutely necessary. It is good to combine both.
Anti-aging care at home
And now it's time to consider in detail what anti-aging skin care should consist of. What stages it consists of, what tools should be used and how to use them correctly.
It should be emphasized once again that the age at which you should start approaching face care from the point of view of rejuvenation is determined individually. It is difficult to independently assess the condition of your skin and detect changes in time, so it is better to consult a cosmetologist to draw up an individual plan for preserving youth.
Cleaning
It is necessary to constantly fight age-related changes, and it is better to choose routine personal care products with a rejuvenating effect. To prevent fading, it is recommended to use the mildest and most delicate cleansers possible. They should easily remove make-up residues, sebum and impurities, but not dry out the skin or hurt it.
When choosing a cleanser, you should focus on the condition of your skin. If there is a feeling of tightness or discomfort after washing, you should look for another option with a higher content of moisturizing ingredients. The appearance of an oily sheen also, surprisingly, indicates a lack of moisture. If irritation and redness occur, you should pay attention to hypoallergenic products.
Even if your skin is prone to rashes, you should not choose aggressive drying products. It is better to give preference to cosmetics with an anti-inflammatory effect.
Morning and evening cleansing are two completely different procedures. In the first case, it is enough to remove the skin secretions and the remains of the night cream. Foam can easily cope with this task, and in some cases it is enough to use only tonic. In the evening, you should also remove any traces of sun cream, cosmetics and atmospheric pollution. In such a situation, make-up removing lotions, creams and oils will come in handy. Additionally, you should use a pore cleansing mask 1-2 times a week.
You need to clean not only the face, but also the neck and décolleté. These areas are very sensitive to aging and therefore require careful attention.
firming
This stage of care is underestimated by many people, and completely useless. Using a tonic restores the balance of water and acid, prepares the face for the application of the cream and protects it from aggressive influences. In addition, residual contaminants that the cleansing lotion or foam could not cope with are removed.
The tonic is chosen according to the type of skin and is used after washing (or other cleansing) in the morning and in the evening. In both cases the same suitable agent can be used.
Hydration
Perhaps the most important thing in antiaging care is hydration. Mature skin always needs moisture and, accordingly, moisturizing products and professional treatments.
The hyaluronic acid molecule has an impressive size and cannot penetrate the epidermal barrier to enter the deeper layers of the skin, so injections have been and remain the most effective way to use it. However, scientists have learned to process the molecule so that it penetrates the dermis better. Thanks to these developments, the effectiveness of modern external products with hyaluronic acid has increased significantly.
Another popular hydrant is urea. Do not be deterred by the unpleasant name: the substance effectively saturates the skin with moisture, while simultaneously stimulating cell renewal. Such products are suitable for dry, dehydrated, rough and rough skin. To maintain moisture levels and improve the skin, creams with a small urea content are sufficient. More concentrated products are used to soften rough calluses on the feet.
Glycerin is another popular ingredient. Due to its hygroscopicity, it attracts and binds water molecules like hyaluronic acid. In terms of moisturizing properties, trihydric alcohol (glycerin) is inferior to hyaluronic acid, but it has smaller molecules that easily penetrate the skin. This component is included in most budget moisturizers with an anti-aging effect. At the same time, concentrated glycerin can have the opposite effect, drawing moisture from the epidermis, so most manufacturers combine trihydric alcohol with other skin moisturizers.
Doctor's comment:
I want to emphasize that we choose products with urea in cases of hyperkeratosis, for example, with rough skin, with psoriasis, with ichthyosis. Urea helps to exfoliate scales, and other ingredients in the products hydrate and nourish.
Nutrition
Unlike other organs, the skin can receive food not only in the traditional way - through blood - but also by absorbing substances that are applied to its surface. This is not only moisture, but also all kinds of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and lipids. They fill nutritional deficiencies in the skin, improve the structure of the epidermis, saturate it with useful ingredients and strengthen the protective lipid layer.
If earlier cosmetic products were safely divided into moisturizers and nutrients, now this line has been erased: the same cream can saturate the skin with moisture and nutrients. As a rule, modern creams, serums and masks combine both types of effects.
To nourish the skin, first of all, fats and fat-soluble substances are needed. Do not underestimate their importance for maintaining youth. As we age, the skin needs more and more lipids. Even those girls who complained of excessive secretion of sebum in their youth notice that their skin becomes drier as the years go by. The fatty film on the surface of the skin becomes thinner and can no longer protect the epidermis from negative environmental influences.
Lack of lipids leads to:
- Increased sensitivity;
- Slowing down the exfoliation of dead cells;
- Reduced humidity levels;
- Premature fracture.
It is believed that the skin absorbs nutrients best at night, so it is recommended to apply nourishing products in the evening, at night.
Doctor's comment:
Our skin is covered with a hydro-lipid mantle, this is a very important structure that ensures the normal functioning of our skin! If its integrity is violated, the skin becomes fragile, dry, dehydrated, it does not resist aggressive environmental factors and the balance of skin microflora is disturbed. We become vulnerable and lose resistance to various skin diseases.
PROTECTION
The skin protects internal organs from negative environmental influences. It comes into contact with polluted air, ultraviolet radiation, aggressive substances, low or high temperatures. This effect does not go unnoticed: the condition of the skin worsens. To avoid premature aging, you should take care to protect your skin throughout your life.
First of all, it is necessary to protect the skin from exposure to sunlight. And you should do this every time you go outside during daylight hours, not just when you're getting ready for the beach. The cream is applied for 20-30 minutes until it comes out in an abundant layer, if necessary, it should be renewed. In addition, it is necessary to choose such products in accordance with your phototype: the whiter the skin, the greater the protection factor should be. If you do not follow these rules, using sunscreen lotion will not bring the expected benefits.
Sunscreen cosmetics protect the skin not only from burns, but also from aging. Long-wave radiation (UVA) penetrates the deep layers of the skin and destroys cells. Such rays damage the epidermis even in cloudy weather, therefore it is recommended to use products with SPF throughout the year.
Daily use of protective creams will protect the skin from photoaging - pigmentation, sagging, wrinkles, dehydration. But you need to choose the tools carefully. The best option would be pharmaceutical cosmetics.
High-quality day creams usually contain sunscreen ingredients. If you must combine moisturizers with sanskrina, then apply a moisturizer to your face and neck first, and once it's fully absorbed, a sunscreen.
UV radiation is not the only factor that causes skin aging. To prolong youth, it is also necessary to protect the epidermis from the effects of free radicals - molecules that damage cells and destroy collagen. For this purpose, antioxidants are used to neutralize the effects of "aggressors".
They can be:
- Vitamins A, C, P and E;
- Alpha lipoic acid;
- Amino acids;
- Coenzyme Q10;
- Isoflavones;
- Tannins;
- Beta glucan.
These ingredients can be contained in the cream in different combinations. Antioxidants are a well-known tool for preventing aging, so it is recommended to start using creams containing such ingredients even before the first signs of age-related changes appear.
Doctor's comment:
It is important to know that different antioxidants work only in certain combinations, and their absorption occurs strictly according to the needs of the body. Cosmoceutical products are already presented in the right combinations. It is important to determine your skin type and your needs; a dermatologist or cosmetologist can help you with this.
Special care
In addition to routine skin care, "special purpose" procedures are also required. This category includes both anti-aging courses in cosmetology clinics and the use of masks and peelings at home.
Mature skin needs to exfoliate dead cells much more than young skin, as natural renewal processes slow down with age. Therefore, scrubs, which girls use only occasionally in their youth, become a must for grown women. Gentle exfoliators should be used 2-3 times a week.
It is important to use products designed for mature skin. They should be soft, without abrasive particles or irritating ingredients.
When we talk about skin care, it is impossible not to mention masks. They usually contain the same ingredients as creams, but in higher concentrations, so masks are intended for intensive care. They can be used regularly, gradually improving the condition of the skin, or as express care if you need to fix your face before an event.
Masks can be produced in the form of cream, gel, powder for self-dilution and a finished piece of fabric soaked with healing ingredients. The last variety is most often used to urgently refresh the skin.
The purpose of masks can also be different. For mature skin, nourishing, moisturizing, toning, firming and brightening products are most suitable. Choosing a specific mask is best done together with a cosmetologist.
Doctor's comment:
Pay attention to Alginate masks, they are sold for home use, and there are also professional ones. They have unique properties and are ideal for any skin type. Their healing properties are explained by the fact that they are made from brown algae. They have a super pronounced lymphatic drainage effect and are a powerful anti-aging preventative.
From theory to practice: the choice of cosmetics
A general understanding of ingredients that are beneficial in rejuvenation will help you choose personal care products.
Day cream to prolong youth
The main tasks of a day cream are to moisturize and protect the skin. Hyaluronic acid and other moisturizing ingredients help achieve the first goal. Also, the day cream should improve the quality of the skin, making it more resistant to the negative effects of free radicals - aggressive molecules that provoke aging. Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E are used for this.
Vitamin C is generally called the vitamin of youth and this is no coincidence: ascorbic acid stimulates the production of collagen by fibrocytes and destroys melanin, eliminating unnecessary pigmentation.
When choosing a cream, you should give preference to the so-called cosmetics, that is, cosmetics that are sold in pharmacies. These varieties differ from mass creams in their high content of active substances and. accordingly, greater efficiency. And the best results can be achieved by combining the use of the cream with cosmetic procedures, for example, mesotherapy and biorevitalization.
Anti-aging night cream
Night is the best time to nourish the skin. Although modern night creams do not necessarily have a heavy and greasy texture, they always contain lipids and fat-soluble substances. These can be fatty acids, shea butter or wheat germ, cholesterol and other ingredients. It also contains moisturizing ingredients.
The task of such products is to restore the skin, as well as stimulate the production of substances necessary to improve its structure - hyaluronic acid, collagen, elastin.
When nourishing the skin, it is important not to overdo it - not to overload it with lipids. This effect is possible if you choose the wrong night cream: the skin acquires an oily sheen, pores become blocked, comedones and redness appear. Such phenomena indicate that the night cream is poorly chosen or used incorrectly.
It is important to remember that thick and oily products are mainly intended for dehydrated and rough skin. In other cases, it is better to choose lighter, melted textures. In addition, the cream should match your skin type and age: for anti-aging care, it is better to use cosmetics labeled anti-aging.
As for usage, the main mistake here is over-application. The night cream should be applied in a thin layer on slightly damp skin after applying the tonic. After 15 minutes, you can wipe off the excess that is not absorbed into the epidermis with a tissue.
Do not forget that the products should be applied not only to the face, but also to the neck and décolleté!
Doctor's comment: Modern high-quality creams bought at the pharmacy eliminate the need to use a tonic. It is important to choose your night cream and apply it half an hour before bed. Subtly, avoiding eye contact. Light caressing movements.
Serums, peels and masks: the secret weapon in the fight for youth
When choosing "special purpose" products, you should pay attention to the following parameters:
- Active substances in the composition;
- their concentration;
- Allergens and potential irritants.
As when choosing creams, it is advisable to give preference to serums and masks with antioxidant, moisturizing and nourishing ingredients. But the presence of SPF is no longer necessary - the day cream will take care of sun protection.
Antiaging serums may contain retinol, vitamin C, ceramides, peptides, collagen, and acids. Masks also often contain a variety of oils that soften the top layer of the epidermis. Effective modern peelings rarely do without the addition of acids.
In addition to masks and peels, it is worth buying anti-aging serums. These are very concentrated products, and literally a few drops are enough for transformation. As a rule, serums are non-greasy, they are absorbed instantly and significantly rejuvenate the skin. It is not surprising: after all, they contain shocking doses of vitamins, amino acids, trace elements, peptides and other substances that hydrate, nourish, brighten and tone the skin.
When choosing such products, you should focus not so much on your skin type, but on what problems need to be solved. Is there pigmentation? Serums that even out skin tone will come to the rescue. Does the oval of the face "float"? This means that you should choose the option with a lifting effect. Increased dryness of the epidermis? The problem will be solved faster if, in addition to the usual cream, you use serum with hyaluronic acid.
Individual approach
Choosing anti-aging cosmetics is not as easy as it may seem. The ideal option is to entrust this choice to a cosmetologist. An experienced doctor will easily identify "weak points" that require maximum attention and help you choose the right tools.
It is much more difficult to detect the signs of aging on our own: we get used to our appearance and cannot track changes over time. The result is an incorrect selection of antiaging products, and, accordingly, ineffective prevention and treatment of skin aging. So, it is better to spend an hour consulting a doctor to immediately choose the products that your skin needs.
And, of course, the best addition to routine home care will be professional cosmetic procedures at the clinic. We will tell you about them next time.