Youth cannot be preserved forever, but the onset of old age can be delayed by decades. You don't have to wait for the first wrinkles to start antiaging care - on the contrary, it's better to take preventive measures in advance. Let's think about where to start, what to pay attention to and what results to strive for.
How the skin ages
The aging process affects every cell 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 hormonal levels—things that are impossible or very difficult to change. The second is stress, air and ultraviolet pollution, smoking, diet, lack of sleep and exercise, and various diseases. These factors can be controlled. With quality skin care, you 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 themselves as quickly as in youth. The blood circulation deteriorates, thus the nutrition of the cells. Due to the lack of hyaluronic acid, the level of hydration decreases, less collagen and elastin are produced. The skin becomes thinner, drier and less elastic, and wrinkles appear.
External factors aggravate the situation. Thus, as a result of ultraviolet radiation, the structure of the skin changes, it becomes thinner and less elastic. Smoking slows down the regeneration of the epidermis and impairs blood circulation, which leads to disruption 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 you maintain 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 people discover the signs of aging earlier, others later, due to genetics, health status, lifestyle and external factors. In any case, there is no need to postpone self-care until the moment when the reflection in the mirror no longer pleases you. Prevention is always more effective and affordable than treatment, so it's worth taking care of prolonging your youth in advance. The longer you go, the more powerful tools you need to use, but to prevent aging, it is enough to take care of the skin and protect it from negative effects.
When choosing cosmetics, you should not focus on the brand, but on the recommendations given by the beautician after a personal examination. Every person is different, the aging process also takes place differently, correcting this requires an individual approach. The doctor determines the appropriate means, which do not correspond to the calendar, but to the biological age.
The main features of antiaging care
- Gentle 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. It requires delicate, gentle care;
- Mandatory skin protection. The sun is the number one enemy of the skin. It is not by chance that there is a special term "photoaging" for the changes that occur on the skin as a result of ultraviolet radiation. As the skin ages, it becomes more and more difficult to resist their effects. Creams containing SPF help it in this. It is also necessary to protect the skin from the effects of free radicals;
- Intensive hydration. Lack of moisture is the direct cause of tone deterioration and the appearance of wrinkles. The basis of antiaging care is deep hydration;
- Stimulation of collagen production. In adulthood, the collagen responsible for the elasticity of the skin is synthesized more slowly and destroys more quickly than in youth. This means that to increase the turgor of the epidermis, it is necessary to further stimulate the formation of its own protein compounds;
- Not just cream. A thin layer of moisturizer may not be enough. Anti-aging care includes intensive skin nourishment, the use of exfoliants, masks and serums. The demand for professional procedures also grows every year;
- Regularity. Young skin forgives its owner for small sins such as cosmetics left unwashed 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 can you expect a noticeable effect.
Doctor's note:
You don't have to mentally complicate the skin care process, start small with proper home care! If you have dermatological diseases, you should consult a dermatologist! Because even high-quality home care cannot bring him out of the acute process. First of all, the treatment in the background of cosmoceutical care, and then everything else.
Is it possible without a beautician?
Aesthetic medicine and cosmetology have not yet made the dream of eternal youth come true, but they have made it possible to get much closer to it. Injection and hardware cosmetology procedures enable internal rejuvenation and natural restoration of the skin. However, it would be a mistake to think that it is enough to complete a course at a cosmetology clinic once a year and neglect face and body care the rest of the time. Professional care must be supplemented with home care - permanent, daily. This approach allows you to achieve optimal results and postpone old age by many years.
In order to preserve youth, cosmetic procedures are highly desirable, and home anti-aging care is absolutely necessary. It is best to combine the two.
Home anti-aging care
And now it's time to think in detail about what antiaging skin care should consist of. What stages it consists of, what tools to use and how to use them correctly.
It should be emphasized again that the age at which it is worth starting facial care from the point of view of rejuvenation is determined individually. It is difficult to independently assess the condition of the skin and detect changes in time, so it is better to consult a beautician to create an individual plan to preserve youth.
Cleaning
You have to constantly fight age-related changes, and it is better to choose routine, rejuvenating body care products. In order to prevent fading, it is recommended to use the softest, most gentle cleaning agents possible. They should easily remove make-up residue, sebum and dirt without drying or damaging the skin.
When choosing a cleanser, pay attention to the condition of your skin. If you experience tightness or discomfort after washing, you should look for another option that contains higher moisturizing components. The appearance of an oily sheen, oddly enough, also 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, do 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, only the skin secretions and the remains of the night cream need to be removed. The foam easily copes with this task, and in some cases it is enough to use only a tonic. In the evening, you should also remove sunscreen, cosmetic residues and atmospheric pollution. Body lotions, creams and makeup remover oils come in handy in such a situation. In addition, a pore-cleansing mask should be used 1-2 times a week.
You need to clean not only your face, but also your neck and décolleté. These areas are very sensitive to aging and therefore require careful attention.
Tonic
This stage of care is underestimated by many people and is completely useless. The use of the tonic restores the balance of water and acid, prepares the face for the application of the cream and protects it from aggressive effects. They also remove residual impurities that the cleansing cream or foam could not deal with.
The tonic is selected according to the skin type and used in the morning and evening after washing (or other cleansing). In both cases, the same appropriate agent can be used.
Hydration
Hydration is probably the most important thing in antiaging care. 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 were and remain the most effective ways of using it. However, scientists have learned to process the molecule to better penetrate the dermis. Thanks to these developments, the efficiency of modern external products with hyaluronic acid has increased significantly.
Another well-known fire hydrant is urea. Don't be put off by the unappetizing name: the substance effectively saturates the skin with moisture while stimulating cell renewal. Such products are excellent for dry, dehydrated, rough and rough skin. Creams with a low urea content are sufficient to maintain the moisture level and improve the complexion. More concentrated products are used on the legs to smooth rough calluses.
Glycerin is another popular ingredient. Thanks to its hygroscopicity, it attracts and binds water molecules like hyaluronic acid. Trivalent alcohol (glycerin) is weaker than hyaluronic acid in terms of moisturizing properties, but it has smaller molecules that easily penetrate the skin. This ingredient is found in most cheap moisturizing creams and has an anti-aging effect. At the same time, concentrated glycerin can have the opposite effect, extracting moisture from the epidermis, which is why most manufacturers combine trivalent alcohol with other skin moisturizers.
Doctor's note:
I would like to emphasize that in case of hyperkeratosis, for example rough skin, psoriasis, ichthyosis, we choose urea products. Urea helps to exfoliate scales, and other ingredients in the products hydrate and nourish.
Nutrition
Unlike other organs, the skin can receive nourishment not only in the traditional way - through the blood - but also by absorbing substances applied to its surface. It is not only moisture, but also all kinds of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and lipids. They make up for the nutritional deficiencies of the skin, improve the structure of the epithelium, saturate it with useful ingredients and strengthen the protective lipid layer.
If earlier cosmetic products were confidently divided into moisturizing and nourishing products, now this line has been erased: the same cream can saturate the skin with moisture and nutrients. Modern creams, serums and masks usually combine both types of effects.
To nourish the skin, you need fats and fat-soluble substances above all. Do not underestimate their importance in keeping young. As you age, your skin needs more and more lipids. Even girls who complained of excessive sebum secretion in their youth note that their skin becomes drier as the years go by. The fat layer on the surface of the skin becomes thinner and can no longer protect the epidermis from negative environmental influences.
Lipid deficiency leads to:
- Increase sensitivity;
- Slowing down the exfoliation of dead cells;
- Reduced moisture content;
- Premature wilting.
It is believed that the skin absorbs nutrients best at night, so it is recommended to use nourishing products in the evening.
Doctor's note:
Our skin is covered by 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, unable to withstand aggressive environmental factors, and the balance of the skin's microflora is disturbed. We become defenseless and lose resistance to various skin diseases.
Protection
The skin protects the 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 deteriorates. To avoid premature aging, you need to take care of protecting your skin throughout your life.
First, you need to protect your skin from the sun. And you should do this every time you go outside during daylight hours, not just when you're going to the beach. The cream is applied for 20-30 minutes until it comes out in a thick layer, it must be renewed if necessary. In addition, such products should be selected according to your phototype: the whiter the skin, the higher the protection factor. 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 deeper 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 protects the skin from photoaging - pigment spots, sagging, wrinkles, dryness. But you need to choose your tools carefully. The best solution is pharmaceutical cosmetics.
Good quality day creams usually contain sunscreen components. If you need to combine moisturizers with Sanskrins, apply a moisturizer to the face and neck first, then a protective cream once it's fully absorbed.
UV radiation is not the only factor that causes skin aging. In order to prolong youth, it is 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.
The cream can contain these ingredients in various combinations. Antioxidants are 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 note:
It is important to know that the various antioxidants work only in certain combinations, and their absorption takes place strictly according to the body's needs. Cosmetic products are already presented in the right combinations. It is important to determine the skin type and its needs, a dermatologist or beautician can help with this.
Special treatment
In addition to routine skin care, "special purpose" procedures are also needed. This category includes both anti-aging courses at 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, are essential for adult women. Gentle exfoliants should be used 2-3 times a week.
It is important to use products designed for mature skin. They should be gentle, not scratch particles or irritating ingredients.
When talking about skin care, it's impossible not to talk about masks. They usually contain the same ingredients as creams, but in a higher concentration, so masks are intended for intensive care. They can be used regularly, gradually improving the condition of the skin, or as an express care, if the face needs to be put in order before an event.
Masks can be produced in the form of creams, gels, self-diluting powders, and ready-made pieces of fabric impregnated with healing substances. The latter type is most often used for urgent skin rejuvenation.
The purpose of masks can also be different. Nourishing, hydrating, toning, firming and brightening products are most suitable for mature skin. Choosing a specific mask is best done together with a beautician.
Doctor's note:
Pay attention to alginate masks, they are sold for home use, and there are also professional ones. They have special 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 a powerful anti-aging protective effect.
From theory to practice: choosing cosmetics
General knowledge of ingredients useful in rejuvenation helps in choosing personal care products.
Day cream to prolong youth
The main task of the day cream is to hydrate and protect the skin. Hyaluronic acid and other moisturizing components help achieve the first goal. In addition, 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 collagen production of fibrocytes and destroys melanin, eliminating excess pigmentation.
When choosing a cream, preference should be given to the so-called cosmetics, i. e. cosmetics sold in pharmacies. These varieties differ from mass creams in their high active ingredient content. correspondingly higher efficiency. 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, oily 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 and to 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 gets a greasy shine, the pores become clogged, comedones and rashes appear. Such phenomena indicate that the night cream was chosen incorrectly or used improperly.
It is important to remember that thick, greasy products are primarily intended for dehydrated, rough, scaly skin. In other cases, it is better to choose lighter, melting textures. In addition, the cream must match your skin type and age: for anti-aging care, it is better to use anti-aging cosmetics.
In terms of usage, the main fault here is too many applications. The night cream should be applied in a thin layer to slightly damp skin after applying the toner. After 15 minutes, you can wipe off the excess with a napkin, which is not absorbed into the epidermis.
Don't forget that the products should not only be applied to the face, but also to the neck and décolletage!
Doctor's note: Due to the modern, high-quality creams purchased at the pharmacy, there is no need to use tonics. It is important to choose the night cream and apply it half an hour before going to bed. Gently, avoiding contact with the eyes. Light groping movements.
Serums, peelings and masks: the secret weapon in the fight for youth
When choosing "special purpose" products, you should pay attention to the following parameters:
- Active ingredients in the preparation;
- Their concentration;
- Possible allergens and irritants.
Similar to the selection of creams, it is advisable to give priority to serums and masks containing antioxidant, moisturizing and nourishing ingredients. But the presence of SPF is no longer necessary - the day cream takes care of sun protection.
Antiaging serums can contain retinol, vitamin C, ceramides, peptides, collagen, and acids. Masks often also contain various oils that soften the upper layer of the epidermis. Modern effective peelings rarely need the addition of acids.
In addition to masks and peelings, it is also worth purchasing anti-aging serums. These are very concentrated products and literally a few drops are enough to make a difference. Serums are usually non-greasy, absorb immediately and significantly rejuvenate the skin. It is not surprising: after all, they contain a shocking dose of vitamins, amino acids, microelements, peptides and other substances that hydrate, nourish, brighten and tone the skin.
When choosing such products, you should not focus so much on the skin type, but on what problems need to be solved. Is there pigmentation? Serums that even out skin tone help. 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 you use a hyaluronic acid serum in addition to the usual cream.
Individual approach
Choosing anti-aging cosmetics on your own is not as easy as it seems. The ideal solution is to entrust this choice to a beautician. An experienced doctor will easily identify those "weak points" that require maximum attention and help to choose the appropriate remedies.
It is much more difficult to recognize the signs of aging in ourselves: we get used to our own appearance and cannot follow the changes in time. The result is an incorrect selection of anti-aging products and, accordingly, ineffective prevention and treatment of skin aging. Therefore, it is better to consult a doctor for an hour so that you can immediately choose the products that your skin needs.
And, of course, the best supplement to routine home care is professional cosmetic procedures at the clinic. We will talk about them next time.