As we hit our late 20’s and early 30’s we produce approximately 1-2% less collagen every year. These skin changes cause skin to sag and lose its elasticity. The skin’s inability to retain moisture also decreases, which can lead to dryness. This leads to signs of ageing such as fine lines and wrinkles.
Skin Changes
During our late forties and early fifties, sagging of the neck and jowl areas can add years to our appearance. The loss of muscle and fat under the skin along with changes in collagen and elastin can make fine lines and wrinkles more noticeable. This is especially true for people who have smoked or regularly tanned the skin.
In our 60s skin changes can include broken capillaries (called telangiectasias) on the cheeks, nose, chin and legs. Skin can also become quite dry, and wrinkles become much more pronounced. This is due to hormonal changes, as well as a loss of moisture from the outer layers of the skin.
Common skin concerns
A lot of us are concerned with broken capillaries, fine lines and the loss of elasticity, which means the skin loses its tightness. Age spots, wrinkles, jowls, and dryness are also common concerns as we age and approach middle age.
What products should we be using on a regular basis?
When it comes to products, apply a cream or lotion that is rich and hydrating. Retinol products are fantastic for repairing damaged skin by speeding cell turnover. Products with antioxidants and glycolic acid are also fantastic as they can promote skin thickening and increase collagen production.
What goes into our body also affects the way the skin looks, drink plenty of water to keep the body hydrated. Also look to increase your intake of Vitamins A and E, which can be helpful to promote new cell growth.
You should always wear a sunscreen or sunblock too – even when it is cloudy! a broad-spectrum sunscreen will protect against UVA and UVB rays.
Finally, hydroquinone can be useful for reducing age spots. A SkinBase IPL photo-rejuvenation treatments will also work exceptionally well only on age spots and will also plump and refresh the skin at the same time.
How can today’s products, treatments and technology be used as both remedy and preventative steps?
The key is to maintain a full course of skin treatments, with regular products designed for your specific skin type and concern used in-between facials.
Technology is always getting bigger and better. New treatments and products are being created every year, which is incredibly exciting for the industry. However, as a customer, it’s sometimes just as simple and effective to maintain tried and tested actions such as drinking water and moisturising daily.
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