As we grow older we become wiser, we know ourselves better, and have better decision making capabilities than when we were younger. However, not many people want to look their age. Just look at the thousands of anti-aging products on the market. Everyone knows that excessive sun exposure, smoking, and poor lifestyle choices can all accelerate the aging process. But, what else can be done?
In a sea of anti-aging marketing it’s easy to become overwhelmed by all of the options. Luckily, we have a few tips that can make navigating the world of anti-aging skincare a little bit easier.
Consult with a Professional
The skin-care industry is growing rapidly! This is great news for those of us wishing to stall the signs of skin aging for as long as possible. There seems to be no shortage of anti-aging solutions on the market, with endless treatment and product options all around us! With a surplus of skin care and anti-aging options out there, (everyone seems to have the magic potion that will take years off of your skin) it can get confusing – and not to mention expensive!
Every year millions of men and women shell out their hard earned money in hopes of finding that fountain of youth. But, how many of us experience buyer’s remorse when that magic potion doesn’t deliver what was promised? Most of the time the product is not to blame, but the lack of education of the consumer. The introduction of social media platforms makes it easy to be exposed to misleading information. With the rising popularity of YouTube, Instagram and TikTok influencers, everyone seems to be a skin care “expert” these days. Sure, some of the recommended products and treatments might be right for some, but is it right for YOUR skin and anti-aging concerns?
This is where a licensed skin care professional comes in. Unlike most influencers, licensed estheticians have the necessary education and training to understand your skin and give you a more personalized skin care regimen. Not only that, but a licensed esthetician has the professional tools to analyze your skin in person on a deeper level. This type of professional analysis is unrivaled when it comes to creating a customized anti-aging skincare plan.
Stimulate Your Body’s Wound Healing Response
Facials are a relaxing way to clear your pores, boost cell turnover and give your skin a fresh, healthy glow. However, as years go by, fighting the signs of skin aging can become more of a challenge. Loss of collagen and elasticity, thinning skin and skin discoloration begin to appear in your 30’s and 40’s. Most of the time facials and skin care products are not enough to address these more advanced concerns on their own.This is where more advanced methods of aesthetic treatment are required to replace lost collagen and repair the effects of intrinsic and extrinsic aging. Some of the most effective treatments on the market stimulate your body’s wound healing response, which boost collagen production and erase other skin imperfections often seen in aging skin.
- Radiofrequency – This treatment uses electromagnetic waves to heat up our skin’s dermal layer. This process has a collagen remodeling effect, which means production of collagen and elastin is stimulated resulting in skin tightening and a plumping effect in the skin. Radiofrequency treatments like the Venus Diamond Polar are virtually painless and can feel like a warm, relaxing massage. Six weekly treatments are usually recommended for desired skin tightening results.
- Microneedling – Also known as collagen induction therapy, microneedling also stimulates the body’s wound healing response. Tiny needles are used to cause slight injury under the skin with small pin pricks. These lesions are so small that they are not noticed on the skin’s surface post treatment. However, your skin responds by creating new collagen-rich tissue. This helps to plump the skin and minimize pores and fine lines.
- Intense Pulsed Light – Otherwise known as IPL, removes skin imperfections such as sun spots and vascular lesions. This non-ablative, light-based device uses multiple wave-lengths to even out overall skin tone. Areas of hyperpigmentation and broken capillaries are targeted without damaging the surrounding skin tissue.The IPL energy breaks pigment down into smaller particles which are then removed by the lymphatic system or become flaky and peel off. The result is a brighter, more even toned complexion.
- Nanofractional Skin Resurfacing – You can think of nanofractional treatments as a cross between radiofrequency and microneedling and is an excellent choice for those with more advanced signs of skin aging. Radiofrequency heats skin structures to promote neocollagenesis; at the same time tiny pins create micro wounds in the skin’s dermal layer to boost production of collagen. This powerful treatment not only helps to tighten skin, but it is also a great option for those with deeper wrinkles and acne scarring due to its resurfacing ability.
Take Care of Your Skin From the Inside Out
Although the best skincare product lines contain many essential vitamins and antioxidants, it’s always important to give your body essential nutrients through supplementation. Nutritional support for your body is essential for both reversing and slowing the aging process of the skin. Antioxidants like Vitamin C, Selenium and Glutathione are all proven to decrease the effects of extrinsic aging due to environmental factors. These nutrients also have the ability to reduce inflammation in the body which is a major factor in intrinsic skin aging. The best way to receive this nutritional support is through intravenous skin rejuvenation due to better absorption through the bloodstream.
Intrinsic aging is aging due to genetic factors, and also your body’s ability to defend against free radical damage. One aspect of anti-aging skincare that many people don’t consider is the effect that hormones have on our skin. Fluctuating levels of estrogen, progesterone and testosterone all have an effect on how the skin looks and feels as we age. You may be familiar with the relationship between hormones and acne, but did you know that as a woman enters perimenopause and menopause skin becomes thinner and lose elasticity. This is because estrogen and progesterone have such a large influence on our collagen and elastin production.
If you are concerned with antiaging and you are reaching perimenopause or menopause, having your hormones checked by an integrative practitioner may help to slow down aging during this time of hormonal change.
The quest towards graceful aging doesn’t have to be a big mystery. Many products and home skin care devices may promise the fountain of youth, but do they really deliver the desired results? It’s always best to consult with an aesthetician or an integrative practitioner to ensure personalized attention is given to your skin and overall health. OWM Integrative Wellness offers professional guidance from both aesthetic and medical practitioners to help you look and feel your best at any age.
