Anti-Aging Skin Care | Prevent Wrinkles, Stop Age Spots and Avoid Sun Damage

Anti-Aging Skin Care | Preventing Skin Aging

We can't control family history, and we can't fight gravity. But there are things you can do to slow the aging of your skin.

Skin moisturizers are one thing that can help, as you get older. Remember the oil glands in your skin don't produce as much as you age. You should also stop smoking. Studies have shown that if you stop smoking, the skin starts to repair itself almost right away. And protect your skin from the sun, which can age skin too. There are also many anti-aging products and treatments available.

Avoid the midday sun, and when you do go out, make sure you are wearing sunscreen, the higher the SPF (Sun protection factor) the better, and/or sun protective clothing. A hat is a good idea with as wide a brim as possible. There are a number of active ingredients that let sunscreens either absorb or reflect the two main types of ultraviolet rays, UVA and UVB rays. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says that many sunscreens - even those with the same SPF numbers - have different combinations of these ingredients. Some ingredients (such as oxybenzone and avobenzone or Parsol 1789) screen out UVA rays; some (such as cinnamates and salicylates) screen out UVB rays, some screen out portions of both. There are also physical blockers such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Your doctor can advise you on which ingredients are most suited to your type of skin, especially if you might be allergic or sensitive to certain ingredients such as PABA.

Also, remember others and help them, particularly children. Sun damage is accumulative so protecting children from the sun can mean fewer problems when they get older. This can also help you avoid fine wrinkles, age spots and skin discolorations.

In addition to using moisturizers and sun protection, other things you can do to help slow down the clock include:

• Stay hydrated - Make sure you drink enough water. In addition to seal in the water with moisturizers, it's important that you drink enough water as well.
• Eat a healthy diet - A healthy diet contains fruits and vegetables, with enough proteins and carbohydrates, plus a smaller amount of healthy fats.
• Maintain your weight - When you gain and lose weight over and over, you lose skin elasticity. This can cause sagging and drooping. Maintain a healthy weight and this is less likely to happen.
• Exercise - Getting the right amount of exercise can improve circulation and make you feel healthier and happier. Be sure you discuss any new exercise program with your doctor first.
• Watch your facial expressions - Facial expressions we use over and over can result in grooves beneath the skin. This results in wrinkles. So if you have a habit of squinting or furrowing your brow, the sooner you stop, the better.
• Sleep on your back - The position we sleep in can affect the skin on our faces. We can develop sleep lines, which are the result of our faces lying on the pillow for hours each night over the years. Sleep on your side and you can develop them on your chin and cheeks. Sleep on your stomach and you'll probably develop them on your forehead. Sleep on your back and you can avoid sleep lines.
• Use gentle products on your skin - Harsh products can increase the coarseness of your skin, drying it out and making it more prone to wrinkling.

There are other things you can do. Topical treatments include tretinoins such as Renova, as well as other skin products such as alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs). There are also wrinkle fillers and Botox treatments. Surgical procedures include chemical peels and dermabrasion, laser skin resurfacing, Thermage, and face lifts. AHAs are sometimes used for mild chemical peels. You can read more about these in aging skin treatments. But remember - the best anti-aging regimen in the world won't do much good if you're getting sun exposure. So make sure you use sun protection when you go outside.

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Updated May 2008

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