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Skin Care: Anti-Aging Products and Procedures

In today's youth-obsessed culture, more and more people are trying to turn back the clock to a time where their skin was smoother and more youthful-looking. Even people with flawless complexions are applying lotions and anti-wrinkle creams in hopes of preventing wrinkles from ever forming.

While all skin will eventually age, there are some steps you can take and products you can use to slow the aging process. From lotions and creams to BOTOX®, microdermabrasion and chemical peels, there are a number of anti-aging products and procedures to help keep your skin looking its best!

Anti-Aging Tip: Apply Sunscreen

To keep your skin healthy and vibrant, you should apply SPF to your face every morning as a part of your normal face-washing routine. Sunscreen will protect your skin from sun damage and will help prevent wrinkles from forming. Sunscreen can also protect you from skin splotches and other pigmentation problems.

Many doctors recommend wearing SPF 15 every day. However, to really protect your skin, apply SPF 30 and look for a sunscreen that contains antioxidants, including vitamin C and vitamin E. To get the most skin protection from your sunscreen, apply at least one ounce to all exposed skin each morning. If you will be in the sun a lot, reapply throughout the day.

Anti-Aging Procedures

A number of anti-aging procedures exist for those of us who don't want to wait for younger-looking skin. While some procedures, such as face lifts and chemical peels, can be costly and painful, others are less painful for both you and your bank account.

If you are looking for a fast and relatively inexpensive anti-aging procedure, consider the following:

BOTOX® injections ($200 to $300 per injected area)
facials (approximately $75)
microdermabrasion (approximately $100 per treatment).

Retinoids for Anti-Aging

To reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, fade dark spots and smooth the skin's texture, look for products that contain retinoids. Retinoids are derived from vitamin A and help increase collagen production and normalize the cell renewal process.

You can find over-the-counter products that contain retinol, a less-potent retinoid. However, for serious anti-aging skin care, you'll want to ask the dermatologist about prescription retinoids, such as Renova® and Retin-A®. If you use a prescription lotion, you can expect to experience some skin irritation, including dryness and peeling.

Remember to apply these products to your neck and hands, as well as your face.

Tips to Prevent Wrinkles

Wrinkles are normally caused by the natural process of aging. However, other factors can contribute to their formations. To keep wrinkles at bay, you should follow these tips:

Avoid smoking.
Don't sunbathe and avoid tanning beds.
Drink six to eight glasses of water a day.
Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
Get plenty of exercise, at least 30 minutes on most days of the week.
Get plenty of sleep.
Limit your alcohol intake.
Moisturize regularly, at least once in the morning and at night.
Take a multi-vitamin.
Wear sunscreen.
Wear wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses when outdoors.

Catch Some Zs

With all the attention paid to anti-aging creams and wrinkle-reducing procedures, many people overlook a simple and free way to improve the appearance of their skin: sleep.

During sleep, the process of cellular renewal in your skin is increased, as is skin repair. Experts recommend we get at least seven to nine hours of sleep each night, not six, which is what most of us are getting.

If you have problems falling asleep, try dimming your lights one hour before heading to bed. Or, hop in a hot bath and listen to soft music before crawling under the covers.

Resources

drdaveanddee.com (n.d.). 12 Ways to Help Prevent Wrinkles. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the drdaveanddee.com Web site: http://www.drdaveanddee.com/prev.html.

Rodale, Inc. (2007). The New Rules for Younger-Looking Skin. Retrieved October 11, 2007, from the Prevention.com Web site: http://www.prevention.com/cda/article/the-new-rules-for-younger-looking-skin/ 1fd268f271903110VgnVCM10000013281eac____/lifelong

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