As you age, your body undergoes multiple natural processes which cause changes in every part. Similarly, over the progression of years, your skin tends to age as well and is subject to change as well. The most common problems which arise are the development of fine lines or wrinkles, and age spots or solar lentigines. Both are affected and enhanced by environmental exposure and can occur early if not prevented on time.
Wrinkles occur due to loosening of the skin’s elastic fibers or collagen fibers. This happens due to the repeated tugging of the skin, damaged by excessive sun exposure, smoking, dehydration, excessive alcohol use, and many other causes. The skin’s elasticity decreases, making it stiffer and weaker. UV light breaks down the collagen in the skin, which can easily be prevented by taking adequate care.
Age spots are mostly darkly pigmented, flat marks on the skin and occur mostly on exposed skin surfaces, such as the face, neck, arms, back of hands, legs, feet, etc. They form due to excessive exposure to UV rays which accelerates the production of melanin by overactive melanocytes. Other factors include the use of tanning beds and lamps. These could also be prevented easily.
PREVENTION
Both wrinkling and development of age spots can be delayed or prevented by regularly taking care of your skin. A few ways to do so include:
- A healthy, balanced diet composed of colorful fruits and vegetables, which provide abundant vitamins and minerals required to strengthen and repair skin.
- Quit smoking as it speeds up the process of aging.
- Limit the use of alcohol in your diet.
- Drink fresh fruit and vegetable juices to replenish your body.
- Drink adequate water every day to keep your normal bodily processes functioning smoothly.
- Use a 30+ SPF sunscreen daily and re-apply every few hours in case sun exposure is prolonged.
- Cover up using proper clothing to prevent sun exposure.
- Use high-quality skin care products such as anti-aging skin creams, serums to prevent early aging effects.
- Get adequate beauty sleep daily.
TREATMENT:
If you have already developed wrinkles, there are ways to reduce them and prevent further wrinkling:
- Use of broad-spectrum sunscreen regularly with a preferable SPF of 30 or more
- Use of anti-aging skin products now easily available everywhere according to your skin type; it includes a daily day moisturizer, eye cream, facial serums, masks to tighten skin, cleansers, facial oils and night cream.
- Use of prescribed Vitamin A retinoids – helps in the regeneration of the skin’s fibers.
- Oral anti-oxidants and supplements which will nourish the skin
- Microdermabrasion or Dermabrasion to promote new growth of skin cells
- Chemical peels
- Laser Therapy
- Botox treatment injections every three months or so
To treat age spots, there are multiple ways available:
- Use of broad-spectrum sunscreen regularly with a preferable SPF of 30 or more
- Use of retinoid creams like Tretinoin. Visit your doctor before starting such strong medications
- Prescription bleaching creams such as Hydroquinone
- Laser and Intense Pulsed Light Therapy (IPL)
- Freezing or cryotherapy using liquid nitrogen
- Dermabrasion and Microdermabrasion
- Chemical peels
Conclusion:
As aging is a natural process, you can not stop it. What you really can do is prevent it from occurring. If you are in your early adult years, you should start to take care of your skin from right now onwards. If you already have developed wrinkles and age spots, it is best first to treat them followed by thorough care of your skin from this point onwards to prevent them from reoccurring. With the progress of science, more and more anti-aging tools are now available for relevant age groups. Prevention is no doubt, the best cure.
