Once a person reaches 40, the skincare regimen should be stepped up.
Follow our tips on what to do to achieve healthier, younger looking skin.
Skin Hydration
The moisture barrier of the skin is essential to act as our natural defense, keeping moisture and essential nutrients in, and bacteria and other potential irritants and allergens out. Exposure to pollutants and ultraviolet rays trigger an inflammatory response that results in the breakdown of enzymes that cause collagen and elastin to degrade, leading to wrinkle formation.
Another result is the formation of pigment that shows up as brown spots and discoloration.
Skin must maintain a pH at 5.4 for optimal barrier function. Some of the supplements that may help maintain this pH are Vitamin D3, flaxseed oil in the morning, probiotics, and DHEA 25 to 50 mg in the morning in addition to drinking water regularly.
.
Rest
Sleep is an essential factor to aging well. The study of skin circadian rhythms is well-documented and the skin’s ability to repair and renew itself occurs while sleeping. This is why it is best to use a retinol or prescription retinoid at night as it helps to regulate skin repair on a DNA level. Skimping on sleep throws your renewal cycle off balance and the disruption in your circadian rhythms also makes your daytime protective cycle less efficient.
.
Relax
Stress is a major ager and raises cortisol levels, which affects blood sugar and skin aging. Cortisol is a stress hormone produced by the adrenal glands whenever the body is stressed, particularly with sleep deprivation. You can also stress the body by drinking a lot of caffeine. DHEA is also a hormone produced by the adrenal glands, which inhibits cortisol. As we age, however, our DHEA production and levels diminish, which results in higher cortisol levels.
.
Don’t Smoke, Quit Now
Cigarette smoking is out. It increases the rate of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin by 60% and cuts the amount of oxygen, which only gets to the skin to miniscule levels with nicotine on-board. Smoking increases MMP-1, a specific enzyme that breaks down collagen and causes wrinkles as well.
.
Used in combination, the posts in our recent anti-aging tips posts can help curb the aging process.
Schedule an appointment to discuss specifics about the ins and outs of anti-aging or to find the regimen that’s right for your skin’s needs.
