NEWSLETTER, MAY 2020
What
you should know about skincare After 40!
Skin aging is a result of programmed events, which are
represented by modifications at the cellular and molecular level. Significant
external and internal changes affect the aging process tremendously. One of the
significant external factors is sun exposure. UV rays can irreversibly induce
wrinkles and skin damage.
A change in hormonal balance is one of the major internal
factors. Due to menopausal hormonal changes, women’s skin loses its elasticity
and firmness, becoming wrinkled. There are also changes in the skin’s barrier
function, sebum (a mixture of waxes, free cholesterol, free fatty acids, and
other lipids) production and facial contour.
In this particular period of life, a different skincare routine
has to be developed to keep the skin protected and well moisturized. Sunscreen
moisturizer creams are highly recommended at this stage to keep the skin
protected. Vitamin C and Vitamin E are natural anti-oxidants with excellent
sunscreen capabilities. Vitamin C has a vital role in the elimination of free
radicals from the skin, while vitamin E protects against free radicals.
Moisturizer’s humectants are also of great importance in keeping the skin
hydrated and smooth. Important natural humectants are glycerin, honey, gelatin,
some vitamins, and proteins.
Aged skin is fragile, dry, and sensitive. Therefore, mild
cleanser and no astringent skincare products should be used. You should be very
careful in using chemical peelings, especially those using trichloracetic acid
or phenol, which are very strong and require long time healing. Also, UV rays
can damage irreversible your new skin layers.
Special care should be taken in the selection of light and heavy
foundation make-up. Thicker facial foundation, which can cover the skin’s color
abnormalities, only accentuates the deep wrinkles. Sometimes, avoiding a heavy
foundation makes you look younger and healthier.
Several rejuvenation products are now available on the market.
Among the rejuvenation products, creams containing hormones
(progesterone and estrogen) are widely used. The progesterone and estrogen
creams can decrease wrinkles, increase the sebum synthesis, and improve skin
elasticity. It is essential to know that topical progesterone and estrogen are
quickly absorbed and transported into the circulatory system. The concern may
arise in using synthetic hormone creams, since the surplus remains in the
system for up to two weeks and can trigger different ailments, such as cancer.
Unlike synthetic hormones, plant hormones (phytohormones) are
metabolized and quickly eliminated from the body. They mimic the effect of
human hormones and are similar to hormone therapy.
Collagen creams are also available on the market as rejuvenation
products. The collagen is supposed to nourish the skin and reverse the signs of
aging. But the collagen molecule is too large to be absorbed into the skin.
Thus, what do you possibly feel onto the skin is the effect of other
ingredients from the same formulation. You can try injections with collagen
instead, which are efficient to soften wrinkles. However, the effect lasts
between 3-12 months, and after that, you have to repeat the procedure. You
might also develop allergies related to different types of collagen.
Extreme rejuvenation therapies are also available.
Dermabrasion is a type of plastic surgery that is meant to
refinish your skin by replacing the abraded skin with new collagen and
epidermis. However, Dermabrasion requires undergoing major surgery, and in
every significant surgery, there are risks involved. There is also a
possibility of scaring infection and permanent change in the skin’s
pigmentation.
Microdermabrasion involves blasting the surface of the skin with
a mist of crystals under pressure to remove dead and damaged layers of the
skin. Using this procedure, the skin becomes smoother and less wrinkled. The
process should be repeated every 2-4 weeks, sometimes combined with a chemical
peeling. Persons with skin ailments, such as rosacea, are not recommended to
use this extreme rejuvenation procedure. And of course, persons with diabetes
should not attempt to use any of these radical rejuvenation procedures. The
skin healing may never be achieved.
In conclusion:
You cannot reverse the aging process, but you can delay it by
proper skincare, which does not have to be extreme. You have to know that if
you start an intense rejuvenation procedure, you have to stick with it for the
remainder of your life, which sometimes is not a convenient alternative.
Natural ways of delaying the aging process, with a proper skin
balance of valuable micronutrients and natural hormones, are a long-lasting and
healthier alternative.
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