You cannot preserve youth forever, but it is quite possible to delay the onset of old age by decades. You don't have to wait until the first wrinkles appear to start anti-aging care - on the contrary, it's better to take preventive measures in advance. Let's consider where to start, what to pay attention to and what results to achieve.
How the skin ages
The aging process affects all cells in the body, and the skin is no exception. This process is influenced by both 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, diet, lack of sleep and movement, various diseases. These factors can be controlled. Providing quality skin care can at least partially neutralize the negative effects.
With age, many processes that depend on the condition of the skin slow down, for example, cells do not renew as quickly as in youth. Blood circulation is disrupted, and thus cell nutrition. Due to the lack of hyaluronic acid, the level of hydration drops, less collagen and elastin are produced. The skin becomes thinner, drier and less elastic, wrinkles appear.
External factors complicate the situation. Thus, due to exposure to ultraviolet rays, the structure of the skin is changed, it becomes thinner and less elastic. Smoking slows down the renewal of the epidermis and disrupts blood circulation, which leads to disruption of cell nutrition. Air pollution causes 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 maintain beauty for a long time.
Prevention or treatment?
It is believed that the skin begins to age already at the age of 28. In practice, everything is individual: some people discover the signs of aging earlier, 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 ceases to please. Prevention is always more effective and affordable than treatment, so you should take care in advance to prolong your youth. The further, the stronger means will have to be used, but to prevent aging, it is enough to take care of the skin and protect it from negative effects.
When choosing cosmetics, you should focus not on the brand, but on the beautician's recommendations, given after a personal examination. Everyone is different, the aging process also happens differently, and to correct it requires an individual approach. The doctor will determine the appropriate measures that correspond to the biological age, not the calendar.
The main properties of anti-aging care
- Soft effect. It's time to give up harsh scrubs and aggressive products that dry out the skin. Mature skin is sensitive and does not recover well after traumatic procedures. She needs gentle, gentle care;
- Mandatory skin protection. The sun is the skin's enemy no. 1. It is not for nothing that there is a special term "photoaging", which refers to the changes that occur in the skin under the influence of ultraviolet rays. With age, it becomes more and more difficult for the skin to resist their effects. Creams with SPF will help it. It is also necessary to protect the skin from the effects of free radicals;
- Intensive hydration. The direct cause of tone deterioration and the appearance of wrinkles is a lack of moisture. The foundation of antiaging care is deep hydration;
- Stimulation of collagen production. In adulthood, collagen, which is responsible for the elasticity of the skin, is synthesized more slowly and destroyed faster than in youth. This means that it is necessary to additionally stimulate the formation of its own protein compounds, which are necessary to increase the turgor of the epidermis;
- Not just cream. A thin layer of moisturizer may not be enough. Anti-aging care also includes intensive skin nourishment, the use of scrubs, masks and serums. The need for professional procedures is also increasing every year;
- Regularity. Young skin will forgive its owner for small sins, such as not washing off cosmetics at night or irregular care. Adult women have to take care of their face, neck and décolleté constantly, day after day, year after year. Only in this case you can expect a noticeable effect.
Doctor's comment:
No need to complicate the skin care process with thoughts, start small, with proper care at home! If you suffer from dermatological diseases, then you should consult a dermatologist! Because even quality care at home will not help you get out of the acute process. First, treatment in the background of cosmoceutical care, then only everything else.
Is it possible to do without a beautician?
Aesthetic medicine and cosmetology have not yet turned the dream of eternal youth into reality, but they have made it much closer to its realization. Injectable and hardware cosmetology procedures allow you to rejuvenate from the inside and restore the skin naturally. However, it would be a mistake to think that it is enough to attend courses at a cosmetology clinic once a year, and neglect face and body care the rest of the time. Professional care must be complemented by care at home - constant, daily. This method allows you to achieve optimal results and delay aging for many years.
To preserve youth, cosmetic procedures are highly desirable and home antiaging care is essential. It is best to combine both.
Anti-aging home care
And now it's time to consider in detail what anti-aging skin care products 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 facial care should be started in terms of rejuvenation is determined individually. It is difficult to self-assess the condition of your skin and notice changes in time, so it is better to consult a cosmetologist to draw up an individual plan to preserve youth.
Cleaning
It is necessary to constantly fight age-related changes, and it is better to choose even ordinary, rejuvenating personal care products. To prevent fading, it is recommended to use the mildest, gentlest cleansers possible. They should easily remove make-up residues, grease and dirt, but not dry out the skin and not injure it.
When choosing a cleanser, you should pay attention to 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 amount of moisturizing components. The appearance of an oily sheen also, oddly enough, indicates a lack of moisture. If irritation and redness occur, attention should be paid to hypoallergenic products.
Even if your skin is prone to breakouts, you shouldn't choose aggressive drying products. It is better to give preference to cosmetics with an anti-inflammatory effect.
Cleaning in the morning and in the evening are two completely different procedures. In the first case, you only need to remove skin secretions and night cream residues. Foam can easily cope with this task, and in some cases it is enough to use only tonic. In the evening, it is also necessary to remove all the remains of sun cream, cosmetics, atmospheric pollution. In this situation, lotions, creams and makeup removers will come in handy. In addition, 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 require careful monitoring.
Toning
This stage of care is underestimated by many and completely in vain. The toner restores the balance of water and acids, prepares the face for cream application and protects against aggressive effects. In addition, it removes the remaining contaminants that the cleansing lotion or foam could not deal with.
The tonic is selected according to the skin type and used after washing (or other cleaning) in the morning and in the evening. In both cases, the same suitable remedy can be used.
Hydration
Perhaps the most important thing in anti-aging is hydration. Mature skin always needs moisture and, accordingly, moisturizing products and professional treatments.
The hyaluronic acid molecule is impressive in size and cannot penetrate the epidermal barrier to reach the deeper layers of the skin, so injections have been and remain the most effective way of using it. However, scientists have learned how to process the molecule so that it penetrates the dermis better. Due to these changes, the effectiveness of modern external products with hyaluronic acid has increased significantly.
Another well-known hydrant is urea. Don't be intimidated by the appetizing name: the material effectively saturates the skin with moisture while stimulating cell renewal. Such remedies are perfect for dry, dehydrated, rough and rough skin. Creams with a small amount of urea are sufficient to maintain moisture levels and improve complexion. More concentrated products are used to smooth rough calluses.
Glycerin is another popular ingredient. Due to its hygroscopicity, it attracts and binds water molecules like hyaluronic acid. In terms of moisturizing properties, trihydroxyl 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 anti-aging effects. At the same time, concentrated glycerin can have the opposite effect by pulling moisture from the epidermis, so most manufacturers combine trihydroalcohol with other skin moisturizers.
Doctor's comment:
I want to emphasize that we choose the means with urea in case of hyperkeratosis, for example, in the case of rough skin, psoriasis, ichthyosis. Urea helps exfoliate scales, while other product components moisturize and nourish.
Nutrition
Unlike other organs, the skin can receive nutrition not only in the traditional way - through the blood, but also by absorbing substances that are applied to its surface. It is not only moisture, but also all kinds of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and lipids. They supplement skin nutritional deficiencies, improve the structure of the epidermis, saturate it with useful substances and strengthen the protective lipid layer.
If earlier cosmetic products were confidently divided into moisturizing and nourishing, now this line is 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.
The skin primarily needs fat and fat-soluble substances to be nourished. Do not underestimate their importance in preserving youth. With age, the skin needs more and more lipids. Even those girls who complained of excessive sebum production in their youth notice that their skin dries out over the years. The fatty film on the surface of the skin becomes thinner and can no longer protect the epidermis from the negative effects of the environment.
Lack of lipids causes:
- Increased sensitivity;
- Slows down the exfoliation of dead cells;
- Reduced humidity level;
- Premature wilting.
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 hydrolipidic mantle, a very important structure that ensures the normal functioning of our skin! If its integrity is violated, the skin becomes fragile, dry, dehydrated, 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 the internal organs from the negative effects of the environment. 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 prevent premature aging, you should take care of your skin protection throughout your life.
First of all, it is necessary to protect the skin from exposure to sunlight. And you need to do this every time you go outside in the daylight, not just when you're going to the beach. The cream is applied for 20-30 minutes. , until a rich layer is formed, if necessary, it should be renewed. In addition, it is necessary to choose such products according to your phototype: the whiter the skin, the higher the protection factor should be. If you do not follow these rules, the use of sunscreen 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, so it is recommended to use products with SPF all year round.
Daily use of protective creams will protect against photoaging of the skin - pigmentation, sagging, wrinkles, dryness. But you have to choose the means carefully. The best choice would be pharmaceutical cosmetics.
High-quality day creams usually contain sunscreen ingredients. If you must combine moisturizers with Sunscreens, apply a moisturizer to your face and neck first, followed by a sunscreen after it is fully absorbed.
UV radiation is not the only factor that causes skin aging. In order to prolong youth, it is also necessary to protect the epidermis from the effects of free radicals - molecules that damage cells and break down collagen. Antioxidants are used for this, which 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 components can be in the cream in various combinations. Antioxidants are a recognized means of preventing aging, so it is recommended to start using creams containing such ingredients before the first signs of age-related changes appear.
Doctor's comment:
It is important to know that various antioxidants work only in certain combinations, and their assimilation takes place strictly according to the body's needs. Cosmoceutical products are already available in suitable combinations. It is important to determine your skin type and needs, a dermatologist or beautician can help.
Special care
In addition to regular skin care, "special purpose" procedures are also needed. This category includes 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, peelings, which girls use only occasionally in their youth, become a necessity for adult women. Gentle scrubs should be used 2-3 times a week.
It is important to use products designed for mature skin. They should be gentle, free of scratching particles or irritating ingredients.
When it comes to skin care, masks cannot be left out. They usually contain the same ingredients as creams, only in higher concentrations, so masks are designed for intensive care. They can be used regularly, gradually improving the condition of the skin, or as an emergency care, if you need to fix your face before an event.
Masks can be made in the form of a cream, gel, self-diluting powder, and a finished piece of cloth soaked in healing compounds. The latter variety is usually used to quickly revive the skin.
The purpose of masks can also be different. Nourishing, moisturizing, toning, firming and brightening products are best for mature skin. It is best to choose a specific mask together with a beautician.
Doctor's comment:
Pay attention to Alginate masks, they are sold for home use, 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 an extremely pronounced lymphatic drainage effect and are powerful anti-aging agents.
From theory to practice: the choice of cosmetics
A general understanding of rejuvenating ingredients will help you choose your personal care products.
Day cream to prolong youth
The main tasks of the day cream are to moisturize and protect the skin. Hyaluronic acid and other moisturizing components help achieve the first goal. Also, the day cream should improve the quality of the skin, make 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 usually called the vitamin of youth, and it is not by chance: ascorbic acid stimulates the production of collagen in fibrocytes and destroys melanin, removing unnecessary pigmentation.
When choosing a cream, preference should be given to so-called cosmeceuticals, that is, cosmetics that are sold in pharmacies. These varieties differ from mass creams in a large amount of active substances and. correspondingly higher efficiency. And the best results can be achieved by combining the use of the cream with cosmetic procedures, such as mesotherapy and biorevitalization.
Anti-aging night cream
Night is the best time to nourish your skin. Although modern night creams do not necessarily have a heavy, greasy texture, they always contain lipids and fat-soluble substances. These can include fatty acids, shea butter or wheat germ, cholesterol and other ingredients. It also contains moisturizing components.
The task of such measures is to restore the skin, as well as to stimulate the production of substances necessary for improving its structure - hyaluronic acid, collagen, elastin.
When nourishing the skin, it is important not to overdo it - not to overload it with lipids. Such an effect is possible by choosing the wrong night cream: the skin acquires an oily sheen, pores become clogged, comedones and rashes appear. Such phenomena indicate that the night cream is improperly selected or used incorrectly.
It is important to remember that thick, oily products are primarily intended for dehydrated, rough, flaky skin. In other cases, it is better to choose lighter, melting textures. In addition, the cream must correspond to your skin type and age: for anti-aging care, it is better to use cosmetics labeled anti-age.
In terms of usage, the main mistake here is overfitting. The night cream should be applied in a thin layer on slightly damp skin after using the tonic. After 15 minutes, you can wipe off the excess that is not absorbed into the epidermis with a napkin.
Don't forget that the products should be applied not only to the face, but also to the neck and décolleté!
Doctor's Comment: Modern quality creams purchased at the pharmacy eliminate the need to use toner. It is important to choose a night cream and apply it half an hour before going to bed. Gently, avoiding contact with eyes. Light stroking movements.
Serums, peelings and masks: the secret weapon in the fight for youth
When choosing special purpose products, pay attention to the following parameters:
- Active substances in the composition;
- Their concentration;
- Possible allergens and irritants.
As when choosing creams, it is advisable to give preference to serums and masks with antioxidant, moisturizing and nourishing ingredients. However, the presence of SPF is no longer necessary - a day cream will provide protection from the sun.
Antiaging serums can contain retinol, vitamin C, ceramides, peptides, collagen and acids. Masks also often contain various oils that soften the upper layer of the epidermis. Modern effective peelings rarely do without the addition of acids.
In addition to masks and peelings, anti-aging serums are also worth purchasing. These are highly concentrated products, and a couple of drops are enough for a transformation. Serums, as a rule, are non-greasy, instantly absorbed and significantly rejuvenate the skin. No wonder: they contain a shock dose of vitamins, amino acids, trace elements, peptides and other skin moisturizing, nourishing, brightening and toning substances.
When choosing such tools, you should focus not so much on your skin type, but on what problems need to be solved. Is there pigmentation? Skin tone-evening serums will come to the rescue. Does the oval of the face "float"? This means that you should choose a variant with a lifting effect. Increased dryness of the epidermis? The problem will be solved faster if, in addition to the usual cream, you use a serum with hyaluronic acid.
Individual approach
Choosing anti-aging cosmetics yourself is not as easy as it might seem. The ideal option is to entrust this choice to a beautician. An experienced doctor will easily identify "weak spots" that need 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 in time. The result is the wrong choice of antiaging products and, accordingly, ineffective prevention and treatment of skin aging. So it is better to consult a doctor for an hour to immediately choose exactly the products that your skin needs.
And, of course, the best addition to regular home care will be professional cosmetic procedures at the clinic. We will talk about them next time.