A few skin care tips to make ageing blush with fear
Skin, just like any other organ, degenerates over time. It's a biological certainty that needs to be embraced. While this may sound odd coming from a cosmetologist, it is key to understanding that anti-ageing needs to be approached with wisdom, balance and self-love. Before I get into jars, bottles and packs that put up an impressive fight against ageing, it is important to understand skin as an organ. In order to repair something, you need to know how it breaks down. Before crying over those sun spots and fine lines, you must understand the beauty and wonder of your skin and what it does to protect your body. Skin not only defines the way you look, but is also a pretty good indicator of how your body is doing on the inside.
So how do we age?
Ageing is part genetics; it's what we were born with. A large part of how we look has to do with what we do to our skin as mapped out in the Ageing Continuum. It holds true for people irrespective of genes. It is based largely on lifestyle, skin care habits, genetic make-up and hormonal changes. Here are the early signs of ageing you must look out for:
20s and 30s
In your twenties and thirties, your skin will get up close and personal with dullness. The epidermis is composed of dead skin cells, and depending on your age, your skin sheds these dead skin cells at the rate of about 30,000 to 40,000 cells every minute. Every year you shed, and therefore replace, a little over four kilograms of skin. You can't see these microscopic cells as you shed them, but you leave them on the bed, the carpet, the office chair, and even the taxi. The younger you are, the faster is the shedding process also called cell turnover. Cell turnover occurs probably once in about fifteen days when you're young, but the older you get, the longer it takes. In your 50s, for instance, cell turnover takes place once in about fifty days. So, as your body slows down, so does your cell renewal cycle. Slowdown can start as early as your mid-twenties. Cell renewal is crucial because the new layer of skin, especially the topmost stratum corneum, is the layer that is most visible to the world. When cells are not renewed quickly, wrinkles and blotches become slower to fade. Additionally, when unshed dead cells collect, the epidermis cannot do its job of protecting well. That's the whole point of exfoliation; to shed dead cells and keep the skin looking young, fresh and supple.
30s and 40s
Fine lines begin to show in your thirties and forties when collagen and elastin start to have their hissy fits and start breaking down. Possible reasons include sun damage, repetitive facial expressions and oxidative stress. In your thirties and forties, you will see fine lines appearing and as you grow older, these lines and wrinkles will deepen into grooves. Collagen breakdown could also be because of lack of exercise. Collagen dents when blood supply to the skin decreases. Blood brings with it nutrients that nourish collagen. Regular physical activity ensures that blood rushes to the collagen layer.
40s and 50s
In the forties and fifties, there is a noticeable loss of fat on the face. There is superficial and deep fat on your face especially the cheeks. As you get older, the fat starts to migrate downwards, leading to hollowing of the face under the cheeks and eyes and the creation of jowls.
It's not too late
Fret not. Once you're aware of the inevitable result, you can handle it no matter what stage or age group you are in. If you know beforehand what breaks it down, you can work towards reversing it.