How we look is certainly related to our confidence levels and self esteem. Even if we follow a good skincare routine, there is only so much we can do at home when it comes to preventing the signs of aging. Environmental pollutants, stress and UV rays damage our skin on a deep cellular level resulting in the degradation of collagen and elastin fibres which means, sagging skin, fine lines and wrinkles.
Harvard University researcher’s have even found a way to reverse aging by promoting cell repair at a cellular level. Although the research is far from complete, It would be wonderful if this study succeeds.
This article should give you a basic idea of various cosmetic treatments and when each treatment should be preferred over the others.
HOW TO PREVENT PREMATURE SIGNS OF AGEING
Premature ageing can be caused by various factors but with a proper health and skincare routine, it can certainly be prevented. First, we will look into what a correct skincare routine looks like.
SKINCARE
Follow your skincare routine religiously- cleanser, toner, serum, moisturiser, and finally, sunscreen. Always use broad spectrum sunscreen of spf 30++++ or above and reapply every 2-3 hours. Stick sunscreens are best for reapplication purpose as they are quick and easy to apply.
Introduce antioxidants like, vitamin C to prevent free radical damage. Use a hyaluronic acid serum to increase moisture content and plump the skin.
Exfoliate once or twice a week with AHA/BHA solution.
Use anti aging night creams with retinol or peptides to boost collagen production along with ceramide moisturisers. Always start with low concentrations of retinol and gradually work your way up.
Remove makeup completely and double cleanse your skin before going to bed. Pamper your skin once a month with spa/facials. Also, avoid making the same facial movements that results in forehead wrinkles, crows feet and laugh lines.
LIFESTYLE
Try intermittent fasting(16:8 or 20:4) and prolonged fasting for autophagy, clarity, gut health and cell repair.
Always Include fermented probiotic foods like sauerkraut or kimchi in your diet for a healthy and diverse microbiome. Follow a healthy diet with proteins, low carbs and lots of colourful veggies and dark green vegetables. Drink 8-12 glasses of water a day, It is important to hydrate from within. Eliminate sugar and high carb foods from your diet, they spike your insulin levels.
If you need, take supplements like Vitamin D, bile salts, omega-3 fatty acids aka cod liver oil.
Stress hormones accelerates aging so include meditation/yoga/ music to keep your mind calm, stable and happy. Sleep on time and for at least 7-8 hours. Give the body time to repair itself.
Quit smoking and moderate your alcohol intake.
Moderate exercise for 30 minutes. Exercise could be anything your enjoy doing like, brisk walking, yoga, dancing or Pilates along with weight training twice a week.
Even if we follow all these, we all age but, we can slow it down and age gracefully.
OTC ANTI AGEING CREAMS
Cosmetic treatments include various topical creams that help revitalise your skin. Anti aging creams work by stimulating the production of collagen and thus, prevents the appearance of lines and wrinkles. These creams when used consistently reduces wrinkles and leaves your skin youthful and plump.
Remember once you stop using these anti aging creams, the effect start to slowly fade too. So you have to keep using products like retinol for as long as you can.
RETINOL CREAMS
- Anti aging skin care cream that can be used for those above 25.
This Vitamin A is the only ingredient proven to minimize existing fine lines and wrinkles. They come in various strength. It is always better to start with the lowest dose twice a week as it might cause irritation to some. Gradually you can use it daily.
Retinoids should be used as part of night routine because of its sensitivity to light. Make sure not to use any other harsh ingredients with it. It’s better to stick to a gentle cleanser and fragrance free moisturizer in the beginning.
PEPTIDE CREAMS
- Anti aging skin care ingredient that can be used for those above 25.
This is almost on the same level as retinoids in its efficiency in reducing fine lines and wrinkles.
They come in various forms like Copper peptides and Euro peptides, they all stimulate the production of collagen. When used for three to six months, you can see a noticeable difference in your skin tone and texture.
ANTIAGING TREATMENTS
If you have followed a proper lifestyle and skincare routine, you would probably be able to keep wrinkles at bay until you are in your 50’s.
Since we all age and there is nothing we can do about it, we should focus on aging gracefully.
Cosmetic treatments help deal with most annoying and stubborn skin concerns. They are guaranteed to provide results within the time frame.
The below six treatments are widely used to reduce lines, wrinkles and sagging skin.
ULTHERAPY
An alternative to facelifts, this treatment uses ultrasound energy to stimulate collagen production and tighten skin. Ultherapy is effective to reduce mild to moderate sagging skin and wrinkles. The whole procedure takes anywhere between 30-90 minutes.
Just like any other treatment, the area may become mildly uncomfortable due to redness and swelling. These effects will subside within a few days post treatment. The results usually last for 5 years.
MICRODERMABRASION
Microdermabrasion treatment uses a diamond tipped wand to sloughs of the outer layer of our skin. This helps with skin cell regeneration.
Although the name looks scary, Microdermabrasion is a fairly painless treatment and you can go home in a couple of hours. Depending your skin concern, multiple sessions may be required.
This type of skin rejuvenation treatment is used to treat light scarring, acne, rosacea, discoloration, sun damage and stretch marks.
MICRONEEDLING
Just as the name suggests Micro needling makes use of tiny needles to prick your skin to boost synthesis of collagen and elastin fibres. Doing so promotes wound healing which is very helpful in case of uneven skin texture, marks and acne scarring.
Applying your blood plasma after micro needling has shown to have extra benefits like reducing hyperpigmentation, reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
The whole session would take about 45 minutes.
CHEMICAL PEELS
In chemical peel treatment, a alpha hydroxy acid solution applied topically in a controlled manner which makes the skin to exfoliate and peel off.
The new skin underneath is less wrinkled and smoother, thus improving the appearance of the skin. Chemical peels can be used on face, hands, neck. This treatment is widely used in treating acne. The concentration of the AHA Peeling solution varies from mild superficial peels to deep peels.
Chemical although effective may cause reddening and peeling that may last a few weeks. Do use skin repair and soothing creams or lotions to assist and promote healing.
LASER SKIN RESURFACING
In laser light resurfacing, a high intensity light is used to treat several skin issues like blotches, scars, wrinkles, warts, liver spots and blemishes.
There may be redness in the treated area for a couple of days. The effects lasts anywhere between 2-5 years.
Ablative lasers like CO2 lasers and Erbium YAG lasers may require sedatives while non-ablative lasers like pulsed-dye, ND: Yag, and Alexandrite lasers require only a numbing cream.
CO2 Lasers are Mostly used to treat scars, warts, wrinkles and other deeper skin flaws. Erbium Lasers comes as both ablative or non-ablative. They promote collagen production and helps in treating fine lines, wrinkles, skin elasticity and age spots.
Pulsed-Dye Lasers , a non-ablative laser works by heating the skin and absorbing pigments. They are usually used to reduce redness, hyper pigmentation, broken capillaries, and rosacea.
Fractional Lasers can be ablative or non ablative. They split the laser beam into thousands of tiny beams thus treating only a tiny fraction of the skin in the area.
IPL (intense pulsed light) treatments technically are not lasers. It is often often used in treating skin concerns like sun damage, acne, rosacea, and hyper pigmentation.
BOTOX
Botox is widely used as a temporary treatment for crows feet and frown lines. They work by paralyzingly the tiny muscles thereby reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. The results may last anywhere between 3-6 months.
Too much botox can change your face expressions resulting in chipmunk cheeks or general droopiness. With the help of an experienced professional. You can get just the right amount of botox to achieve the no-Botox youthful look.
FILLER INJECTIONS
This treatment uses hyaluronic acid injections to plump the skin thereby minimizing wrinkles. Filler injections helps in plumping and lifting cheeks, chins, jawlines, and temples; fills thin lips, and plumps sagging hands.
There may be side effects such as redness, swelling, or bruising at the site of the injection. You should use sunscreen in order to preserve the filler. Note that not all wrinkle fillers are suitable for everyone.
COSMETIC SURGERY
This surgery is done endoscopically thereby minimizing the incision. It helps in lifting the skin on your face, neck, forehead and eyelids. Cosmetic treatments is certainly on the expensive side.
- The effects are more on the permanent side.
Taking care of your skin post treatments is important to keep the effects long lasting. Return to your normal routine after 48 hours or as your doctor recommends.
POST TREATMENT SKINCARE
Cosmetic treatments require you to follow certain rules to make sure you get the maximum benefit. It also make sure proper healing.
Make sure you’re using mild, hypoallergenic products.
Don’t skip cleansing and moisturizing.
It is best to avoid the direct sun, choose a broad spectrum sunscreen when you are going out.
Cover up from sunlight to prevent pigmentation.
Don’t pick your facial skin no matter how itchy.
Don’t touch your face unnecessarily.
Maintain proper diet and hydrate yourself.
In case of swelling from any procedures, keep your head above heart level while sleeping.
Use mineral makeup as it’s gentler on the skin.
Remove all makeup and double cleanse before going to bed.
