You cannot preserve youth forever, but it is possible to delay the onset of old age for decades. To start anti-aging care, there is no need to wait for the first wrinkles to appear - on the contrary, it is better to take preventive measures in advance. Let's see where to start, what to pay attention to and what results to strive for.
How does skin age?
The aging process affects every cell of 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 cannot or are very difficult to change. The second is stress, exposure to air and UV pollution, smoking, nutrition, lack of 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 that depend on the condition of the skin slow down, for example, cells are not renewed as quickly as in youth. Blood circulation worsens, and therefore cell nutrition. Hydration levels decrease due to lack of hyaluronic acid, and less collagen and elasticity are produced. The skin becomes thinner, drier and less elastic, wrinkles appear.
External factors worsen the situation. Therefore, due to exposure to ultraviolet rays, the structure of the skin changes, becoming thinner and less elastic. Smoking slows down the regeneration of the epidermis and impairs blood circulation, leading to cell nutrition disorders. Air pollution causes the appearance of age spots and wrinkles.
The good news is that a healthy lifestyle will prolong your youth. Eating foods rich in antioxidants, sleeping well and doing moderate physical activity will help you maintain long-term beauty.
Prevention or treatment?
It is believed that the skin begins to age as early as age 28. In fact, everything is individual: some detect signs of age earlier, others later, dependingon genetic characteristics, health status, lifestyle and the influence of external factors. In any case, it is not necessary to postpone self-care until the moment when the reflection in the mirror ceases to please you. Prevention is always more effective and economical than treatment, so you should pay attention in advance to prolong your youth. The further you go, the more powerful means you will have to use, but to prevent aging, it is enough to carefully care for your skin and protect it from negative influences.
When choosing cosmetics, you do not need to focus on the brand, but on the recommendations of the beautician given after a direct examination. Everyone is different, the aging process is different and requires an individual approach to overcome it. The doctor will determine the appropriate means corresponding not to the calendar, but to biological age.
Key features of anti-aging care
- Gentle effect. It's time to ditch harsh exfoliants and harsh products that dry out your skin. Mature skin is very sensitive and does not heal well after traumatic procedures. She needs delicate, gentle care;
- Mandatory skin protection. Sunlight is the number 1 enemy of the skin. It is not without reason that there is a special term "photoaging" to refer to the changes that occur on the skin under the influence of ultraviolet rays. With age, it becomes increasingly difficult for the skin to resist their effects. Cream with SPF will help you with this. It is also necessary to protect the skin from the effects of free radicals;
- Intense hydration. The direct cause of reduced skin tone and wrinkles is lack of moisture. Anti-aging care based on deep moisturizing;
- Stimulates collagen production. In adulthood, collagen, the substance that gives skin elasticity, 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 to increase the tension of the epidermis;
- Not just ice cream. A thin layer of moisturizer may not be enough. Anti-aging care also involves intensive skin nutrition, using exfoliants, masks and serums. The demand for professional procedures is also increasing every year;
- Regularity. Young skin will forgive its owner for such minor sins as not washing off cosmetics overnight or irregular care. Mature women need constant care of their face, neck and chest, day after day, year after year. Only in this case can you count on a noticeable effect.
Doctor's comments:There's no need to overcomplicate skin care in your mind, start small with proper home care! If you have dermatological diseases, you should consult a dermatologist! Because even high-quality home care cannot save you from the acute process. First, treatment is based on the foundation of cosmetic care, then just everything else.
Is it possible to do without a beautician?
Aesthetic medicine and cosmetology have not yet made the dream of eternal youth a reality, but they have helped us get closer to realizing it. Cosmetic procedures with injections and hardware allow you to rejuvenate from the inside and restore your skin naturally. However, it would be a mistake to think that it is enough to attend a course at a cosmetic clinic once a year, and neglect facial and body care the rest of the time. Professional care must be supplemented by home care - ongoing, daily. This approach allows you to achieve optimal results and repel aging by many years.
To preserve youth, cosmetic procedures are highly desirable and anti-aging care at home is essential. It's best to combine both.
Anti-aging care at home
And now it's time to consider in detail what anti-aging skin care products should include. It covers which stages, which tools should be used, and how to use them correctly.
It must be emphasized once again that the age at which you should start approaching facial care from a rejuvenating point of view is determined individually. It is difficult to independently assess the condition of your skin and detect changes in time, so it is better to consult a cosmetologist to draw up an individual plan to preserve youth. spring.
Clean
It is necessary to constantly fight age-related changes, and it is better to choose ordinary personal care products that have a rejuvenating effect. To avoid fading, use the softest, most delicate detergent possible. They should easily remove makeup residue, sebum and remaining impurities without drying or damaging the skin.
When choosing a facial cleanser, you should focus on the condition of your skin. If you feel tight or uncomfortable after washing, you need to find another option with a higher content of moisturizing ingredients. Strangely, the appearance of greasiness also 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 rashes, you should not choose harsh drying products. It is better to give preference to cosmetics that have anti-inflammatory effects.
Cleansing in the morning and in the evening are two completely different processes. In the first case, you just need to remove skin secretions and remnants of night cream. Foam can easily cope with this task and in some cases it is enough just to use a tonic. In the evening, you also need to remove the remnants of sunscreen, cosmetics and air pollution. In such a situation, lotions, creams and makeup remover oils will be very useful. In addition, you should use a pore-cleansing mask 1-2 times a week.
You need to clean not only your face, but also your neck and chest. These areas are very susceptible to aging so need careful care.
firm
This phase of care is underestimated by many and is completely useless. Using the tonic will restore the water and acid balance, prepare the face for cream application and protect it from aggressive influences. Additionally, residual contaminants that cleansers or facial foams cannot handle are removed.
Tonic is selected according to skin type and used after washing the face (or other cleansing steps) in the morning and evening. In both cases, the same appropriate agent can be used.
Hydration
Perhaps the most important thing in anti-aging care is hydration. Mature skin needs moisture and with it moisturizing products and professional treatments.
Hyaluronic acid molecules have impressive sizes and cannot penetrate the epidermal barrier to enter the deeper layers of the skin, so injections were and remain the most effective way to use them. However, scientists have learned how to process the molecule so that it penetrates the dermis better. Thanks to these developments, the effectiveness of modern topical products containing hyaluronic acid has increased significantly.
Another famous type of water dispenser is urea. Don't be put off by the unappealing name: this substance effectively saturates the skin with moisture while stimulating cell regeneration. Such products are great for dry, dehydrated, rough and rough skin. To maintain moisture and improve skin, it is enough to use a cream with a small urea content. More concentrated products are used to smooth rough calluses on the feet.
Glycerin is another common ingredient. Because it is hygroscopic, it attracts and binds water molecules like hyaluronic acid. In terms of moisturizing properties, trihydric alcohol (glycerin) is inferior to hyaluronic acid but has smaller molecules that easily penetrate the skin. This ingredient is found in most popular moisturizers and has anti-aging effects. At the same time, concentrated glycerin can have the opposite effect, drawing moisture from the epidermis, so most manufacturers combine trihydric alcohol with other skin moisturizers.
Doctor's comments:I want to emphasize that we choose products with urea in cases of hyperkeratosis, such as rough skin, psoriasis, ichthyosis. Urea helps exfoliate and other ingredients of the product 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 applied to its surface. This is not just moisture but also all vitamins, minerals, amino acids and lipids. They replenish the nutritional deficiency of the skin, improve the structure of the epidermis, saturate it with useful components and strengthen the protective lipid layer.
If before cosmetic products were confidently divided into moisturizing and nourishing, now this line has been abolished: the same cream can provide moisture and nutrients to the skin. As a rule, modern creams, serums and masks combine both types of effects.
To nourish the skin, first of all, fat and fat-soluble substances are needed. Don't underestimate their importance in preserving youth. The older you get, the more lipids your skin needs. Even girls who complained of excessive sebum secretion in their youth noted that their skin became drier over the years. The fatty film on the skin's surface becomes thinner and is no longer able to protect the epidermis from negative environmental influences.
Lipid deficiency leads to:
- Increased sensitivity;
- Slows down the exfoliation process;
- Reduce humidity;
- Wilt early.
It is believed that the skin absorbs nutrients best at night, so you should apply nourishing products in the evening and at night.
Doctor's comments:Our skin is covered by a hydro-lipid film, which is a very important structure that ensures our skin functions properly! If its integrity is violated, the skin becomes fragile, dry, dehydrated, succumbs to aggressive environmental factors, and the balance of the skin microflora is disrupted. We become defenseless and lose our ability to resist various skin diseases.
Protection
The skin protects internal organs from the negative effects of the environment. It is exposed to polluted air, ultraviolet radiation, harmful substances, low or high temperatures. This effect goes unnoticed: the condition of the skin worsens. To avoid premature aging, you should take care of your skin throughout your life.
First of all, it is necessary to protect the skin from exposure to the sun. And you need to do this every time you go out during the day, not just when getting ready to go to the beach. The cream is applied for 20-30 minutes until a thick layer forms, if necessary, it needs to be renewed. In addition, it is necessary to choose such products in accordance with your skin type: the whiter the skin, the higher the protection coefficient. If these rules are not followed, using sunscreen will not bring the expected benefits.
Sunscreen cosmetics protect the skin not only from burns but also from aging. Longwave radiation (UVA) penetrates deep layers of the skin and destroys cells. Such rays damage the epidermis even in cloudy weather, so products with SPF should be used all year round.
Daily use of protective cream will protect the skin from photoaging - melasma, sagging, wrinkles, dehydration. But you need to choose your vehicle carefully. The best option would be cosmeceuticals.
High-quality day creams often contain sunscreen. If you must combine a moisturizer with Sanskrins, then first apply the moisturizer to the face and neck, and after complete absorption, apply a protective cream.
Ultraviolet 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 - molecules that damage cells and destroy collagen. For this purpose, antioxidants are used to neutralize the effects of "invaders".
They can be:
- Vitamins A, C, P and E;
- Alpha lipoic acid;
- Amino Acids;
- Coenzyme Q10;
- Isoflavones;
- Tannin;
- Glucan beta.
These ingredients can be contained in creams in many different combinations. Antioxidants are a recognized means of preventing aging, so it is recommended to start using creams containing such ingredients even before the first signs of age-related changes appear. work appears.
Doctor's comments:It is important to know that different antioxidants only work in certain combinations and that their absorption takes place according to the body's needs. Cosmic products have been presented with the right mix. It is important to determine your skin type and needs; A dermatologist or esthetician can help you with this.
Special treatment
In addition to regular skin care, "special purpose" procedures are also required. This category includes anti-aging courses at beauty clinics as well as how to use masks and peels at home.
Mature skin needs more exfoliation than younger skin, because the natural regeneration process slows with age. Therefore, skin peeling, which girls only used occasionally when they were young, has become a necessity for adult women. Gentle exfoliating products should be used 2-3 times a week.
It's important to use products designed for mature skin. They should be gentle, without scratches or irritating ingredients.
When talking about skin care, it is impossible not to mention masks. They often contain the same ingredients as creams, but in higher concentrations, so masks are for special care purposes. They can be used regularly, gradually improving the skin's condition, or for clarifying care if you need to get your face in shape before an event.
The mask can be produced in the form of a cream, gel, powder for self-dilution, and a finished piece of fabric soaked in healing compounds. The latter is often used to urgently renew the skin.
The purpose of the mask can also be different. For mature skin, nourishing, moisturizing, firming, toning and brightening products are best suited. Choosing a specific mask is best done in conjunction with an esthetician.
Doctor's comments:Pay attention to Alginate masks, they are sold for home use, and there are also professional ones. They have unique properties and are ideal for all skin types. 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 measure.
From theory to practice: choosing cosmetics
A general understanding of ingredients beneficial in rejuvenation will help you choose personal care products.
Day cream prolongs youth
The main task of a 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 will improve the quality of the skin, giving it the ability to resist the negative effects of free radicals - aggressive molecules that cause aging. Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E are used for this.
Vitamin C is often called the vitamin of youth, and this is no coincidence: ascorbic acid stimulates fibroblasts to produce collagen and destroy melanin, eliminating unnecessary pigments.
When choosing a cream, you should give preference to the so-called pharmaceutical ones, that is, cosmetics sold in pharmacies. These differ from mass creams in their high content of active ingredients and. Accordingly, the efficiency is higher. 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 don't necessarily have a heavy, greasy texture, they do contain lipids and fat-soluble substances. These can be fatty acids, shea butter or wheat germ, cholesterol and other ingredients. Also contains moisturizing ingredients.
The task of such products is to restore the skin, as well as stimulate the production of substances necessary to improve its structure - hyaluronic acid, collagen, elasticity.
When nourishing the skin, it is important not to overdo it - not to overload the skin with lipids. This effect can occur if you choose the wrong night cream: the skin becomes greasy, pores become clogged, acne and rashes appear. Such a phenomenon indicates that the night cream is poorly selected or used incorrectly.
It's important to remember that thick, oily products are primarily for dehydrated, rough, and flaky skin. In other cases, it is better to choose a lighter, melted texture. In addition, the cream must be suitable for your skin type and age: for anti-aging care, it is better to use cosmetics with an anti-aging label.
As for usage, the main mistake here is applying too much. Night cream should be applied in a thin layer to slightly damp skin after applying the tonic. After 15 minutes, you can use a napkin to remove the excess that did not penetrate the cuticle.
Don't forget that products need to be applied not only to the face, but also to the neck and chest!
Doctor's comment: High-quality modern creams purchased at the pharmacy eliminate the need to use supplements. It is important to choose a night cream and apply it half an hour before going to bed. Be delicate, avoid contact with eyes. Patting motion.
Serums, masks and masks: secret weapons in the fight for youth
When choosing a "specialized" product, you should pay attention to the following parameters:
- Active ingredients in the preparation;
- Their focus;
- Potential allergens and irritants.
Just like when choosing creams, you should prioritize serums and masks with antioxidant, moisturizing and nourishing ingredients. But the presence of SPF is no longer necessary - day cream will take on the role of sun protection.
Anti-aging serums may contain retinol, vitamin C, ceramides, peptides, collagen and acids. Masks also often contain a variety of oils that soften the top layer of the epidermis. Modern effective peels are rarely performed without the addition of acids.
In addition to masks and scrubs, you should buy anti-aging serums. These are very concentrated products and literally just a few drops are all it takes to transform. As a rule, serums are not greasy, they are absorbed immediately and significantly rejuvenate the skin. It's not surprising: after all, they contain shocking doses of vitamins, amino acids, trace elements, peptides and other substances that moisturize, nourish, brighten and firm the skin.
When choosing such products, you should not focus too much on your skin type but too much on the problems that need to be solved. Is there pigmentation? Skin-evening serums will come to your rescue. Can an oval face "swim"? This means you should choose an option that has a lifting effect. Increased dryness of the epidermis? The problem will be solved faster if, in addition to regular cream, you use serum containing hyaluronic acid.
Personal approach
Choosing anti-aging cosmetics yourself is not as easy as you think. The ideal option is to entrust this choice to a cosmetologist. An experienced doctor will easily identify "weaknesses" that require maximum attention and help you choose the appropriate treatment method.
Detecting signs of aging on your own is much more difficult: we get used to our appearance and cannot monitor changes in time. The result is the wrong choice of anti-aging products, which in turn leads to ineffective prevention and treatment of skin aging. Therefore, it is better to spend an hour consulting with your doctor to immediately choose the exact product your skin needs.
And of course, the best addition to routine care at home will be professional cosmetic procedures in the clinic. We will tell you about them next time.