| This
is Part Two of a two-part series. Read
Part One here.
|
Real
beauty is more than skin deep -- but don't forget the skin!
The
Skin, perhaps more than any other aspect of our body effectively
reflects our life and experience. Yet it is also the most
vulnerable. Continually threatened by the ravages of time
and the unpredictable effects of the environment. Safeguarding
its health and appearance, at every age, is extremely important
for all of us, women and men alike.
The
psychological effects of changes in our appearance and especially
the aging process, determine our state of mind as powerfully
as physical changes are reflected in the body. Our looks are
a fundamental part of our sense of self. And, at best, they
provide us with a sense of confidence and well-being in our
personal and social relations. Thanks to today’s scientific
advances in technology and what research has learned about
the functioning of skin, the ability to take care of one’s
skin and maintain its fitness has become possible for everyone,
not just the privileged, wealthy few.
--Peter
Lamas |
|
What
Your Skin Needs From You
In
Part One I described various layers of skin and the function of each one.
As efficient as skin is, it also needs help from you, the owner. That
help includes:
- A
regular regimen of daily cleansing and moisturizing
-
A balanced, healthy diet
-
Exercise
- Sleep
Plus
--
In
today’s harsh, often polluted environment where a thinning ozone layer
exposes us to more ultraviolent sunlight, extra protection outdoors is
especially important.
Year
by year, the stages of your skin's life
Birthdays
are inevitable but a tired, worn, aged appearance isn’t! With good life-long
care much damage can be avoided or minimized. The good news: its never
too late to start to dramatically improve your skin’s appearance now and
years from now. The right skin habits can have dramatically beneficial
effects on the skin despite time and the environment. Key is to avoid
the sun as much as possible since sun – not time – is the primary cause
of wrinkles and premature aging. Constantly exposed to the world and sunlight,
the skin on your face always shows more wrinkling and damage than the
skin of your body.
Your
skin in its 20's: Glow for it!
Pluses:
Your skin glows with the radiant, fresh-faced look of youth. Cellular
turnover is fast and efficient, usually in 28-day cycles. Estrogen and
progesterone supply the oil that keeps 20’s skin in perfect moisture balance
usually. Collagen and elastin fibres are firm, smooth and resilient resulting
in an equally soft, smooth skin texture. The fatty cushion is plump and
gives the face softness.
Minuses:
Even when you’re young, burning the candle at both ends can result in
puffy eyes, dehydration and premature wrinkles. For many women, acne is
still a
concern. Sun exposure can make even skin in its youth dull, flaky, dehydrated
 –
and reveal more damage later.
Solutions:
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Wear an SPF 15 or higher
sunscreen every day (not just on the beach). Have a 2X a day cleansing
routine to remove makeup thoroughly before bedtime and prevent bacteria
and oil from building up and aggravating breakouts. Experiment with moisturizers,
including oil-free versions, if you notice dryness. Eat a balanced diet
and get plenty of exercise. Keep a watch on alcohol consumption. Don’t
smoke.
Your
skin in its 30's: Prime time . . . or first time trouble shows up
Pluses:
For many, the 30’s is a prime time for their skin. Acne and excess oil
production slow down. The skin may be perfectly balanced or only slightly
on the dry side. The skin is clear, vital, glowing with health and vitality.
Many women add sunscreen protection to their daily care, which is all
to the good for the future.
Minuses:
For others, age and environmental damage suddenly and clearly begin to
show up in fine lines, crow’s feet, capillary breaks, laugh lines, eyebrow
 grooves
and folds around the mouth. Cell turnover is slowing down and the complexion
may look dull or sallow. The production of new collagen fibers diminishes
by about 1% a year while existing fibers twist and slacken.
Solutions:
Many women first notice dehydration in their 30’s. Most skins, unless
they are oily or acne-prone, round-the-clock balanced moisturization is
helpful. Frequent exfoliation boosts cell turnover and helps maintain
a clear, fresh radiance.
Your
skin in its 40's: Empowering and defending
Pluses:
By now, you know your skin. You have a more confident sense of what you
need than ever before. You actually look better with less makeup than
more. Time can only accent a great bone structure if you have it. If you’ve
developed good lifestyle and diet habits and avoided the sun in your 20’s
and 30’s you reap the rewards now.
Minuses:
Skin’s ability to maintain optimum moisture on its own fades. Lines and
wrinkles become more plentiful. Elastin fibres begin to thicken which
results in sagging and slackening, especially in the jaw area. Some cross-hatching
of lines and deepening expression lines between the eyes and across the
forehead appear. Brown spots may pop up on cheeks or the backs of your
hands. As menopause approaches more dryness or oiliness may occur.
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Solutions:
A gentle cleanser that won’t strip the skin of its natural level of sebum
is ideal. A moisturizer with SPF 15 is recommended for day with a richer
moisturizer/night treatment at night. Drink 8 8-oz. glasses of water a
day, minimum, to plump skin and help eliminate toxins. If you’ve never
taken vitamins, its never too late to begin.
 Your
skin in its 50's and beyond: Your skin in its 50's and beyond -- fight
gravity and win!
Pluses:
Skin settles down after menopause if you had ups and downs in your 40’s.
Most skin thrives on moisturizers and richer formulations and respond
dramatically to the extra attention you can give. Many women get serious
about diet and nutrition for the first time in their lives at this stage,
which can help skin substantially now and years from now.
Minuses:
As the fatty cushion thins, facial hollows can become more prominent.
Under eye bags, and slackening skin around the eyelids, nose, ears and
neck is common. Cell turnover , collagen and elastin fiber production
continue to slowdown. Facial bones – especially if you smoke – can shrink
causing all-around sagging. Overall, skin is drier and less able to maintain
moisture on its own.
Solutions:
Sunscreen, SPF 15 or above is recommended for daily use. Before bed, a
rich moisturizer with alpha-hydroxy acids will gently exfoliate skin and
boost cell turnover as it moisturizes. Avoid alcohol-based, moisture-depleting
products. Diet, exercise and nutrient supplementation is more important
than ever.
This
is Part Two of a two-part series. Read
Part One here.
Discuss
this article with others right now at
The Salon!
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