Prevention Advice: Skin aging, what it is and how to avoid it

Prevention Advice: Skin aging, what it is and how to avoid it

Skin aging is divided into intrinsic and extrinsic.

Endogenous aging or chronoaging are the skin changes that are due to the time factor and are directly related to skin type (eg oily-thick skin is more resistant) and heredity. It is also directly related to hormones, which is why it worsens significantly during the perimenopausal period and menopause (a modern solution to help in this direction is hormone replacement therapy). But in general, unfortunately for this type of aging we cannot do much in terms of prevention.

Extrinsic aging is mainly due to solar (ultraviolet) radiation, a fact that is confirmed by the premature aging of the skin of people who have a lot of professional exposure to the sun, such as farmers, fishermen, outdoor sports athletes, etc. Other aggravating factors that should be avoided are smoking (alters the circulatory system at the level of circulation causing damage to the vessels and accelerates aging because it increases the production of free radicals), stress, poor diet (regarding the limited consumption of sources of vitamins and trace elements such as fruits, vegetables and legumes , excessive alcohol consumption) , insufficient sleep, environmental pollution, Aging skin is rough, dull, thin, dehydrated and may show wrinkles, sagging, brown spots, dilated blood vessels, pre-cancerous or even cancerous lesions, as well as loss of part of its normal functions.

Methods to prevent and restore aging

In modern times, promises to prevent and repair the damage of skin aging abound. Researchers, after intensive and scientifically documented studies, have offered important products, methods, strategies and constantly evolving technology to deal with aging, mainly at the cellular level.

1) Photoprotection from UV radiation

It must be done throughout the year both with the use of protective equipment (hat, sunglasses, blouse and of course an umbrella on the beach) and with effective sunscreen products, both for UVA and UVB. Each skin needs a special sunscreen (and especially oily skin with a tendency to acne), while there are also special baby and children's sunscreens with natural filters. It is recommended to renew the product every 2-3 hours.

2) Moisturizers

Milder cases of dry skin need a moisturizer immediately after washing. Bath oils and body moisturizers should be applied after bathing. Vaseline, an ingredient in many emulsions, creams and ointments, is a wonderful and particularly economical moisturizer that is used in cases of intense dryness of the skin on the body (eg in areas of friction such as elbows, knees, heels). More specialized products are the creams that contain urea, AHA, lactic acid and ammonium lactate, substances that are intended to maintain the moisture of the skin but, sometimes, irritate the skin. The most modern moisturizing creams contain hyaluronic acid. It is an intensely hydrophilic molecule that can hold up to 20 times its weight in water! The use of this very successful material in anti-aging began with injectable treatments applied by dermatologists and was later applied to anti-aging creams. The most specialized skin cosmetic pharmaceutical companies that specialize in antiaging also offer special products such as moisturizing-antiaging creams for application in the area around the eyes

3) Topical use of vitamins A, C, E

• Vitamin A and its derivatives (retinoids, tretinoin) have been the most stable value in the field of anti-aging in the last twenty years, because at the same time it enhances the production of collagen, elastin and glycosaminoglycans by fibroblasts, normalizes the division and maturation of skin cells , contributes to sebum regulation, regulates melanogenesis and normalizes mitosis, providing anti-neoplastic protection. These creams belong to the category of medicines and should only be given after a doctor's prescription and guidance.

• Vitamin C enhances collagen production and is characterized by its strong antioxidant effect. In addition to its intake through diet, there are currently concentrated vitamin C preparations 5% or 10% in serum form for topical use (smearing) on the face.

• Vitamin E also has an antioxidant effect. The vitamin capsules can be used both topically (after opening them), but it is preferable to take them empty stomach at lunchtime with our meal (it is a fat-soluble vitamin)

4) Creams with fruit acids – chemical peels.

Their use aims to remove dead cells on a daily basis, but also to strengthen the skin's hydration. They are classified into three categories: (a) A-hydroxy-acids (AHA-s), with the main representative being fruit acids, mainly from sugar cane, (b) B-hydroxy-acids (BHA-s), such as salicylic acid and ( c) poly-hydroxy-acids.

5) Creams with melanogenesis regulating agents

Such agents are hydroquinone, kochic acid, phytic acid and arbutin. They regulate melanogenesis and contribute to the elimination of skin discolorations resulting from exposure to the sun combined with heredity or pregnancy.

When the above simple solutions that can be applied by the woman at home are not enough or we ask for something more, modern cosmetic dermatology offers very effective injectable treatments such as the application of BOTOX, hyaluronic implants (fillers) for filling wrinkles, autologous mesotherapy for skin hydration and tightening (treatment derived from the patient's own blood and based on activated platelets and epidermal growth factors, activation of collagen and elastin production), heterologous mesotherapy (with special hyaluronic and mannitol which provide deep hydration to the skin ) while new treatments with stem cells are currently being discussed

 

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