You cannot preserve youth forever, but it is quite possible to postpone the onset of old age for decades. There is no need to wait for the first wrinkles to appear to start anti-aging care, on the contrary, it is better to take preventive measures in advance. Let's think about where to start, what we need to pay attention to and what results we need to achieve.
How does skin age?
The aging process affects all cells of the body, and the skin is no exception. This process is affected by both internal and external factors. The first group includes genetics, ethnicity and hormonal levels that are impossible or very difficult to change. The second is stress, exposure to air and ultraviolet pollution, smoking, lack of nutrition, sleep and exercise, 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 as quickly as in youth. Blood circulation is impaired and therefore cell nutrition is impaired. Due to the lack of hyaluronic acid, the hydration level decreases and 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 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 disrupts blood circulation, which leads to impaired cell nutrition. Air pollution causes the appearance of age spots and wrinkles.
The good news is that a healthy lifestyle prolongs youth. Consuming 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 as early as 28 years of age. In practice, everything is individual: some discover signs of age 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 looking at yourself until the moment when the reflection in the mirror no longer pleases you. Prevention is always more effective and economical than treatment, so you should take care in advance to prolong your youth. The further you go, the more powerful the tools you have to use, but to prevent aging you just need to carefully care for your skin and protect it from negative effects.
When choosing cosmetics, you need to focus not on the brand, but on the recommendations of the beautician given after a face-to-face examination. All people are different, the aging process also occurs differently, and to correct this requires an individual approach. The doctor will determine the appropriate means corresponding to biological age, not calendar.
Key features of anti-aging care
- Gentle effect. It's time to give up harsh peels and aggressive products that dry out your skin. Mature skin is sensitive and does not heal after traumatic procedures. It needs delicate, gentle care;
- Mandatory skin protection. The sun is skin's number 1 enemy. It is not for nothing that there is a special term "photoaging" to express the changes that occur in the skin under the influence of ultraviolet rays. As we age, it becomes increasingly difficult for the skin to resist these effects. Creams with SPF will help him in this regard. It is also necessary to protect the skin from the effects of free radicals;
- Intense moisturization. The immediate cause of deterioration in tone and the appearance of wrinkles is lack of moisture. Anti-aging care is based on deep moisturizing;
- Stimulation of collagen production. Collagen, which is responsible for the elasticity of the skin in adulthood, is synthesized more slowly and destroyed more quickly than in youth. This means that additional stimulation of the formation of own protein compounds is required to increase the turgor of the epidermis;
- It's 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. Young skin will forgive its owner small sins such as cosmetics not washed off at night or irregular care. Adult women need to constantly care for their faces, necks and décolletés, day after day, year after year. Only in this case you can count on a visible effect.
Doctor's comment:No need to complicate the skin care process in your thoughts, start small with proper home care! If you have dermatological diseases, you should definitely consult a dermatologist! Because even quality home care will not be able to get you out of the acute process. First, treatment against the background of cosmic care, then just everything else.
Is it possible to do without a beautician?
Aesthetic medicine and cosmetology have not yet been able to make the dream of eternal youth a reality, but they have made it possible to come much closer to the realization of this dream. Injection and hardware cosmetology procedures allow you to rejuvenate from the inside and restore the skin naturally. However, it would be wrong to think that it is enough to take a course at a cosmetology clinic once a year, and neglect to care for your face and body the rest of the time. Professional care should be complemented by ongoing, daily home care. This approach allows you to achieve the best results and push old age back by many years.
To preserve youth, cosmetic procedures are very desirable, and anti-aging care at home is absolutely necessary. It is best 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 they should be used correctly.
It is important to emphasize once again that the age at which you should start approaching facial care from a rejuvenation perspective is determined individually. It is difficult to independently assess the condition of your skin and detect changes over time, so it is better to consult a beautician to draw up an individual plan to preserve youth.
Cleaning
It is necessary to constantly struggle with age-related changes, and even better to choose routine personal care products that have a rejuvenating effect. To prevent fading, it is recommended to use the gentlest, most gentle cleansers possible. It should easily remove makeup residue, sebum and dirt, but should not dry or injure the skin.
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 need to look for another option with a higher content of moisturizing ingredients. The appearance of an oily sheen also, oddly enough, indicates a lack of moisture. If irritation and redness occur, you need to pay attention to hypoallergenic products.
Even if your skin is prone to redness, you should not choose aggressive drying products. It is better to give preference to cosmetics that have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Morning and evening cleansing are two completely different procedures. In the first case, you just need to remove skin secretions and remnants of the night cream. Foam easily copes with this task, and in some cases it is enough to just use tonic. In the evening, you also need to remove any traces of sunscreen, cosmetics and atmospheric pollution. In such a case, lotions, creams and makeup remover oils will come in handy. You should also use a pore cleansing mask 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 care.
Toning
This stage of care is underestimated by many and is completely futile. Using toner restores water and acid balance, prepares the face for cream application and protects it from aggressive effects. In addition, residual contaminants that the cleansing lotion or foam cannot cope with are also removed.
Tonic is selected according to skin type and used after washing (or other cleansing) in the morning and evening. The same suitable agent can be used in both cases.
Hydration
Perhaps the most important thing in anti-aging care is moisturizing. Mature skin always needs moisture and therefore moisturizing products and professional care.
The hyaluronic acid molecule has an impressive size and cannot cross the epidermal barrier to reach the deeper layers of the skin, so injections have been and remain the most effective way to use it. However, scientists have learned to manipulate the molecule to better penetrate the dermis. Thanks to these developments, the effectiveness of modern external products containing hyaluronic acid has increased significantly.
Another well-known hydrant is urea. Don't be fooled by its unappetizing name: this substance effectively saturates the skin with moisture while also stimulating cell regeneration. Such products are very suitable for dry, dehydrated, rough and rough skin. Creams with a small urea content are sufficient to maintain the moisture level and improve the skin. More concentrated products are used to smooth 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 ingredient is found in most budget moisturizers with an anti-aging effect. At the same time, concentrated glycerin can have the opposite effect by drawing moisture from the epidermis, so most manufacturers combine trihydric alcohol with other skin moisturizers.
Doctor's comment:I would like to emphasize that in cases of hyperkeratosis, for example, with rough skin, psoriasis, ichthyosis, we choose products containing urea. Urea helps exfoliate and the other ingredients of the products moisturize and nourish.
Nutrition
Unlike other organs, the skin can receive nutrition not only in the traditional way (through blood), but also by absorbing substances applied to its surface. This is not only moisture, but also all kinds of vitamins, minerals, amino acids and lipids. It eliminates nutritional deficiencies in the skin, improves the structure of the epidermis, saturates it with useful components and strengthens the protective lipid layer.
If earlier cosmetic products were safely divided into moisturizing and nourishing, 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.
First of all, oils and fat-soluble substances are needed to nourish the skin. Do not underestimate their importance in preserving youth. As we get older, the skin needs more lipids. Even girls who complained about excessive sebum secretion in their youth note that their skin has become drier over the years. The oily film on the skin surface becomes thinner and can no longer protect the epidermis from negative environmental effects.
Lipid deficiency leads to:
- Increased sensitivity;
- Slowing down the exfoliation of dead cells;
- Reduced humidity levels;
- Early withering.
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 brittle, dries out, becomes dehydrated, cannot resist aggressive environmental factors, and the balance of the skin microflora is disturbed. We become vulnerable and lose our resistance to various skin diseases.
Protection
Skin protects internal organs from negative environmental influences. Contact with polluted air, ultraviolet radiation, aggressive substances, low or high temperatures. This effect does not go unnoticed: the skin condition worsens. To prevent premature aging, you should take care to protect your skin throughout your life.
First of all, it is necessary to protect the skin from sunlight. And you need to do this not only when getting ready for the beach, but every time you go out during the daylight hours. The cream is applied for 20-30 minutes until it comes out in a thick layer, and needs to be renewed if necessary. You also need to choose such products according to 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 provide the expected benefit.
Sunscreen cosmetics protect the skin not only from burns, but also from aging. Long wave radiation (UVA) penetrates into 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 throughout the year.
Daily use of protective creams protects against photoaging of the skin (pigmentation, sagging, wrinkles, dehydration). But you need to choose the tools carefully. The best option would be pharmaceutical cosmetics.
High-quality day creams often contain sunscreen ingredients. If you need to combine moisturizers with Sanskrins, apply a moisturizing cream to your face and neck first, and a protective cream after it is completely absorbed.
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 that damage cells and destroy collagen. For this purpose, antioxidants are used to neutralize the effects of "aggressors".
They can:
- Vitamins A, C, P and E;
- Alpha lipoic acid;
- Amino acids;
- Coenzyme Q10;
- Isoflavones;
- Tannins;
- Beta glucan.
These ingredients can be found in various combinations in the cream. Antioxidants are a known way to prevent 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 various antioxidants work only in certain combinations and their absorption occurs strictly according to the needs of the body. Cosmoceutical products are already offered in the right combinations. It is important to determine your skin type and needs; A dermatologist or beautician 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.
Because natural regeneration processes slow down with age, mature skin needs to exfoliate dead cells much more than younger skin. For this reason, the peelings that girls occasionally use in their youth are becoming a necessity for adult women as well. Mild exfoliators should be used 2-3 times a week.
It is important to use products designed for mature skin. They should be soft, without scratching particles or irritants.
It is impossible not to mention masks when talking about skin care. 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 used as express care if you need to put your face in order before an event.
Masks can be produced in the form of cream, gel, powder for self-dilution and a finished piece of fabric soaked in healing compounds. The second variety is most often used to urgently renew the skin.
The purpose of masks may also be different. For mature skin, nourishing, moisturizing, toning, firming and brightening products are best suited. The choice of a particular mask is best done 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 every 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 prevention.
From theory to practice: choosing cosmetics
A general understanding of the ingredients that are beneficial for rejuvenation will help you choose personal care products.
Day cream to prolong youth
The main task of day cream is to moisturize and protect the skin. Hyaluronic acid and other moisturizing ingredients help achieve the first goal. In addition, 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 choose so-called cosmetic products, that is, cosmetic products sold in pharmacies. These varieties differ from mass creams by the high content of active substances. accordingly greater 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 the skin. Although modern night creams do not have to have a heavy, oily texture, they always contain lipids and fat-soluble substances. These may be fatty acids, shea butter or wheat germ, cholesterol and other components. It also contains moisturizing ingredients.
The task of such products is to stimulate the production of substances necessary to repair the skin, as well as improve its structure - hyaluronic acid, collagen, elastin.
It is important not to overdo it when nourishing the skin and not to overload it with lipids. This effect is possible if you choose the wrong night cream: the skin acquires an oily sheen, pores are clogged, comedones and rashes appear. Such events indicate that the night cream was chosen poorly or used incorrectly.
It's important to remember that thick, oily products are designed primarily for flaky, dehydrated, rough skin. In other cases, it is better to choose lighter, dissolving textures. In addition, the cream must suit your skin type and age: for anti-aging care it is better to use cosmetics labeled anti-aging.
As for usage, the real mistake here is too much application. After applying tonic, night cream should be applied in a thin layer to slightly damp skin. After 15 minutes, you can wipe off the excess that is not absorbed into the epidermis with a napkin.
Remember that products should be applied not only to the face, but also to the neck and décolleté!
Doctor's comment: Modern, high-quality creams purchased from the pharmacy eliminate the need to use tonic. It is important to choose your night cream and apply it half an hour before bedtime. Gently, avoiding contact with eyes. 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 ingredients in its composition;
- Concentrations;
- Potential allergens and irritants.
Just like when choosing a cream, it is recommended to choose serums and masks with antioxidant, moisturizing and nourishing ingredients. But the presence of SPF is no longer required - the day cream will take care of sun protection.
Anti-aging serums may 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 peels are rarely made without the addition of acid.
In addition to masks and peels, it is also worth acquiring anti-aging serums. These are very concentrated products and literally a few drops are enough for transformation. As a rule, serums are oil-free, are instantly absorbed and significantly rejuvenate the skin. It is not surprising: after all, they contain a shock dose of vitamins, amino acids, microelements, peptides and other substances that moisturize, nourish, brighten and tone the skin.
When choosing such products, you should focus not on your skin type, but on what problems need to be solved. Is there pigmentation? Serums that equalize skin tone will come to our rescue. Does the oval of the face "float"? This means you need to choose the option with lifting effect. Increased dryness of the epidermis? The problem will be solved faster if you use serum containing hyaluronic acid in addition to the regular cream.
individual approach
Choosing anti-aging cosmetics on your own is not as easy as it seems. The ideal option is to entrust this choice to a beautician. An experienced doctor will easily identify "weak points" that require maximum attention and help you choose appropriate medications.
It is much more difficult to detect signs of aging on our own: we become accustomed to our own appearance and cannot track changes over time. The result is the wrong choice of anti-aging products and, accordingly, ineffective prevention and treatment of skin aging. Therefore, it is better to spend an hour consulting a doctor to immediately choose exactly the products that your skin needs.
And of course, the best addition to routine home care will be professional cosmetic procedures in the clinic. We will tell you about them next time.