Anti-Aging


 

Anti Aging Skin Care

If we look at the skin’s ability to protect itself from ultraviolet light, there are key nutrients involved in that. It’s important to have vitamins A and C and D for anti-aging skin care. These nutrients actually play a role in protecting skin from ultraviolet light.


Can your diet help keep your skin looking younger?

Yes! A well-balanced diet is also an important step for healthy skin. Be sure to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, especially green vegetables. These foods will help to naturally nourish your skin. Including fish in your diet is also great for anti-aging skin care because it is a natural source of omega fatty acids. Good oils (Omega-3 fatty acids) can help to moisturize dry and scaly skin from the inside out.

What’s the best skin care for my aging, less elastic skin?
One of the best moisturizing ingredients for aging skin is hyaluronic acid. This is a natural substance produced by the body, and it will bind molecules of moisture to your complexion. This is helpful for aging skin because hydration is the key to a soft and supple texture to your skin tone.

In addition, focus on drinking water to stay hydrated and improve elasticity in your skin!

 

What happens to aging skin?

As you age, your body begins to slow production of two components of the skin: collagen and elastin. This leads to fine lines and wrinkles. The breakdown of these proteins is made worse by sun exposure and gravity, and results in the sagging appearance of aged skin.

Your skin becomes thinner, drier, and more fragile as the inner layer of skin (the dermis) starts to thin. Fat beneath the skin and in the cheeks, chin, and nose disappears, causing skin to sag. Facial hair increases, pores enlarge, and women going through hormonal changes may experience acne and breakouts similar to those in their teen years.

The body’s ability to fight free radicals that attack and damage cells and collagen also slows with age.


What are aging spots?

Aging spots, or solar lentigines, primarily result from sun damage. Age spots have also been mislabeled as liver spots. (They do not have any correlation with liver disease.) The majority of age spots are benign (noncancerous). If you notice any changes in the border, color, or diameter of any lesions on your skin, you should be immediately evaluated by your doctor.


How can I protect my skin from dryness in the winter?

During the fall and winter seasons, there is a decrease of humidity in the atmosphere. This decrease in humidity is usually what causes the skin on our bodies to become dry and rough.

 

The first step you can take toward healthy skin is to look at the body wash or bar you use in the shower. Avoid shower gels in the winter, as they can be drying to your skin. A body wash or bar that contains shea butter or jojoba oil will help to hydrate and nourish your skin while you are in the shower.

Shea butter nourishes the skin with vitamins A and E, and it also penetrates and moisturizes the skin without clogging pores. Jojoba oil comes from the seed of the jojoba tree. This oil is similar to the oil or sebum our skin produces naturally. Jojoba oil can help to balance the oil in your skin and can also provide moisture all day.

Taking lukewarm showers instead of hot showers can also ward off dry skin. If you do not want to give up taking a hot shower, try to cut your shower time down. Long, hot showers tend to draw out the natural moisturizers in your skin. Avoiding long soaks in the hot tub is also a good idea because the chemicals and the hot water can dry out your skin.

After you shower, you should apply a moisturizer to replenish your skin. You can apply baby oil to your skin before drying off; this is one of the best ways for moisture to penetrate your skin. After you dry off, try using jojoba oil, shea butter, or cocoa butter; they work even better if they contain vitamins A and E.

Exfoliate the skin on your body once a week. Try to find a salt- or sugar-based scrub. While you are in the shower, apply the scrub all over your body. Next rinse the scrub off. This should help slough away any dry skin you have. Always follow up with a moisturizer after exfoliating your skin.

If you live in an area that has a dry atmosphere, such as the desert, a humidifier is a good investment for your home. The heat from the furnace can draw out the natural moisture and humidity in the air. A humidifier can help to add moisture back into the air in your home and also assist in warding off dry skin.

One last tip: Limit your caffeine intake because it can also dehydrate the skin.

For additional information on anti-aging skin care, visit the Cellular Intelligence website.

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Comprehensive Center for Women's Medicine
100 E. Walton Street, Suite 400W
Gold Coast

Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: 773-694-5551

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773-694-5551