Is that a Wrinkle? At what Age should you start an Anti-aging Regimen

Anti-aging, well what does that mean?! Does it mean I will stay youthful, and young looking forever?  Will I never look a day over 20?! Anti-aging is a preventative measure, a precaution by using advanced treatments with active ingredients such as alpha-hydroxyl acids, to help you age gracefully.  Let’s face it, there is no magic youth potion, we are all getting older and with age comes wrinkles and fine lines, dry skin and age spots, discoloration and sagging of the skin. Yes it sounds scary doesn't it! However, what anti-aging skin care does, it helps to minimize those effects, even go as far as preventing some of these issues. 

Many women feel they should start an anti-aging regimen in their 30s.  Ideally the skin starts to age around 25 years of age, however you should start prevention early on, even in childhood.  The more damage and inflammation the skin is subjected to, the earlier and faster it ages. As a kid you’re out having fun in the sun often and the uv/uvb rays can be very damaging to the skin and speed up the aging process.  Using sunscreen with a high concentration of spf is key to preventing damage and sun burn to the skin.

 When to start active anti-aging therapy depends somewhat on your skin type.  Dry skin, for example, is more prone to fine lines and wrinkles due to the fact that the skin is unable to produce enough sebum to nourish the skin and keep it balanced, causing dry patches, fine lines, wrinkles and an uncomfortable tightness of the skin that happens when dry. As we age we experience lost lipids and hydration in the skin's barrier.  As dry skin can tend to lose water and moisture faster or more regularly.  Consider starting a preventative regimen as early as your mid-teens.

 If you have combination to oily skin, you want to start an anti-aging regimen in your early 20s, as lipids and water loss may be less of an issue early on. However acne is a type of inflammation and inflammation has been shown to be one of the most important causes of aging.  In that case you want to start an anti-acne therapy regimen as early as possible.  There are a lot of great prestige skin care treatments to help alleviate the problem.  For severe cases speak to a dermatologist for guidance on how to combat the issue at hand.

Quick tips to keep your skin healthy and youthful

•Avoid comedogens which can clog pores and lead to infection and acne (types of inflammation)

•Avoid processed foods-refined sugars and carbohydrates, junk or fast food, most snacks, foods and drinks that come pre-packaged

•Eat healthy, food rich in omega 3s, lots of leafy greens (the darker green the vegetable the more minerals and antioxidants they contain)

•Exercise regularly but don't over exercise-studies have shown excessive exertion can be pro-inflammatory and weaken one's immunity

•Get enough sleep at least 7-8 hours a night

•manage stress.  Meditating, going for a walk, listening to some of your favourite tunes is a great way to relieve some stress.

For help with building your own personal skin care regimen.  Book a skin care consultation with Nicole Webster.  For more info on this service, click here.