Skin Aging

 

Skin aging, that inevitable process that happens to all us with the passing of time. Enlarged pores, sun damaged skin, skin ages spots and fine wrinkles (and some not so fine ones) all make their presence known as the years go by. Before understanding how to go about treating these conditions as part of an anti aging skin care regimen, it is important to understand what is happening during the skin aging process.

 

How The Skin Ages

 

This is a topic that can easily be given its own website so the information provided here will simply attempt to provide some basics of how aging skin develops over time. Dry skin, oily skin, combination skin, normal skin will all take slightly different paths during the aging skin process but all will head towards a similar result.

 

Intrinsic Skin Aging

 

This process is used to describe the natural aging process of the skin. This usually begins in early adulthood and is evidenced by the appearance of oxygen depletion, collagen destruction, decrease in the fat content of skin and reduction of elastin, along with several other factors. Mature skin usually does not have the same elastic properties of younger skin. This is lake of elasticity does not allow the skin to return to its original position after it is stretched. This, along with the inability to produce enough collagen and the destruction of connective tissue is what causes wrinkles to appear.

 

Additionally, during skin aging, dead skin cells are unable to exfoliate from the skin and new skin cell growth slows dramatically. This, along with the loss of underlying fat beneath the skin can cause aged skin to appear thin and transparent. Loose or sagging skin can also develop as bones shrink with age and no longer support the skin that is covering them.

 

Your genetics play a role in how fast (or how slow) the skin aging process takes place. Wrinkles, gray hair and the appearance of skin age spots may begin to appear for some in their early twenties, others may not see signs of aging until much later in their forties and fifties.

 

Water and texture enhancing elements of the skin also become less active and effective over time. Changes begin to occur in the areas between skin cells and the lack of glycerin, hyaluronic acids, and other substances this can lead to a much quicker breakdown of the skin.

 

Extrinsic Skin Aging

 

This terms is used to describe the external factors that can cause and accelerate both intrinsic and premature skin aging. The main factors involved in extrinsic aging are the sun, pollutants (such as those from urban air quality), repetitive facial movements (which causes wrinkles) and even the force of gravity which is constantly tugging downward on our skin. The cumulative effects of these over time can result in conditions such as winkles, damaged skin, uneven skin tone and uneven pigmentation.

 

Of all these, it is the sun that has the biggest impact on how our skin ages. Ultraviolet Light (UV) Rays affects every exposed part of skin on the body. The effects over time can result in the earlier appearance of age spots, spider veins, rough or scaly skin, loose and sagging skin, actinic keratosis and even the most serious of skin conditions - skin cancer.

 

Sun damage to the skin is also referred to by dermatologists as "Photoaging". UV rays severely inhibit the skin's ability to repair itself by creating new collagen and elastin. The result is skin that cannot hold firm or "snap back" from stretching.

 

The effects of Photoaging can be greatly diminished by simply using sunscreen at an early age and avoiding (as much as possible) prolonged periods in direct intense sunlight. Keeping the skin hydrated and moisturized is a must if you plan to be out in the sun for long stretches.

 

If your skin has already begun to show the effects of skin aging, there are many anti aging skin care products that can be used to give the skin a more youthful appearance. Some of these treatments include glycolic acid, laser resurfacing, anti aging skin care creams and masks as well as clinical skin care treatments such as peels and photorejuvenation. Visit the other pages of our site for more in depth information about treating skin aging.

 

Sunflower scrub can be made by combining crushed sunflower kernels with 2 tbsp of heavy cream or vitamin D milk and scrubed on the facial and neck areas to help naturally exfoliate dead skin cells.