Signs of Aging Skin | How to Support Your Skin as It Ages

Mark Twain once said, “[Aging] is a privilege denied to many.” Despite the popularity of anti-aging efforts, growing older is a beautiful part of life and should be cherished. Because our skin works so hard to protect us, it is often a clear indicator of age. The least we can do in return for a lifetime of protection is try our best to take care of it when signs of aging skin appear.

At Medical Aesthetics & Laser, we are honored to help clients give their skin the care it deserves. Instead of focusing on the ways we can change our skin, we decided we’d spend some time on how to support our skin as it changes with age. Keep reading to learn about the signs of aging skin, and condition specific treatments to incorporate into your routine to keep your skin happy and healthy.

WAYS TO PREVENT SIGNS OF AGING SKIN

Healthy skincare habits are more of a lifestyle choice than any one specific treatment or product. The younger you start applying these efforts, the more you can stave off premature signs of aging skin. However, it’s never too late to add these habits to your routine! 

EXERCISE

We all know that exercise is a fantastic way to tone up, and maintain mental health, but did you know it can have a direct positive effect on your skin, too? Working out increases blood flow throughout the body and to the surface of the skin. Blood carries oxygen and nutrients, and increased flow can help “rinse” out cellular detritus. 

In addition to increased blood flow, exercise can lower cortisol levels, reducing stress and alleviating signs of aging skin. Some skin conditions, like acne and oily skin, are exacerbated by higher levels of stress. So hop on your bike, head to the gym, or grab your yoga mat and get moving! Just be sure to wear sunscreen if you’re working out outside (but more on that later).

EAT A HEALTHY DIET

What we eat directly affects every part of our body, and skin is not exempt from that rule. Diet is not a one-size-fits-all approach, either. There are a lot of moving parts when it comes to finding a healthy diet that works for you. But most experts agree; a diet that is high in antioxidants, vitamins, and fatty acids, and low in refined sugars and processed foods will keep your skin healthy for the long run.

Look for these foods to keep your skin glowing:

• Fatty fish (like salmon, herring, and mackerel)
• Avocado
• Nuts
• Sweet potato
• Berries
• Broccoli 

And don’t forget to drink lots and lots of water! We’re not the first to tell you that drinking water keeps skin healthier and happier, but it’s the truth.

WEAR SUNSCREEN AND AVOID TANNING

Ah yes, this is one of the most common (and most important) ways to stay healthy and avoid signs of aging skin. Your skin protects you from the elements, and in order to protect it, you have to wear sunscreen every single day. Yes, even on the cold and cloudy days. An easy way to incorporate it into your daily routine is to purchase a moisturizer with SPF.

According to the American Academy of Dermatology, approximately 9,500 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with skin cancer every day. Sunscreen blocks harmful UV rays from reaching the skin and thus doing serious damage.

Whether your happy place is out lounging by the pool, or you prefer to stay indoors, sunscreen is an essential part of any skincare routine to protect and sustain your skin as it ages. 

MOISTURIZE DAILY 

Your skin craves moisture. Give it the hydration it needs. Using a daily moisturizer can help even your skin tone, soothe red, irritated skin, and smooth wrinkles and fine lines. 

THE SIGNS OF AGING SKIN

Everyone ages differently, but typically there are a few common signs of aging skin that we can treat in a variety of ways.

1. LAXITY

Simply put, skin laxity is the sagging of the skin. As we age, our natural production of collagen and elastin slows down. These structural proteins keep our skin plump, firm, and tight. 

As we lose the components that keep our skin firm and smooth, wrinkles form and skin begins to sag, increasing visibility of the skeletal structure and exacerbating the appearance of jowls.

WAYS TO SUPPORT COLLAGEN PRODUCTION

Get an Ultherapy treatment from a trusted aesthetician! 

Ultherapy is a skin rejuvenation treatment that uses ultrasound energy to stimulate your natural collagen growth deep within the skin. The production of collagen makes your skin plump and firm.

Take a collagen supplement!

Not only does it support your skin as it ages, it helps cushion your joints. You can also include collagen rich foods in your diet, or make bone broth to add to soups or to drink on its own. 

2. DULLNESS

A combination of prolonged element exposure and a buildup of dead skin cells gives the skin a dull, rough appearance and feel. As the body gets older, vital nutrition is not always delivered quickly and to the right places. But just because you’re aging doesn’t mean you have to let it steal your glow!

WAYS TO SUPPORT THE GLOW

Monthly facials

HydraFacial is a facial treatment combining cleansing, exfoliation, and hydrating elements to completely rejuvenate your skin. It peels away those dull, dry layers of skin and provides the hydration it needs to stay healthy and firm. We recommend monthly HydraFacial treatments for optimum benefits. 

Add an exfoliant to your routine

Bolstering your skincare routine can be an awesome way to alleviate signs of aging skin. Adding in an exfoliating product a few times a week can help scrub away the layer of skin that has been exposed to the elements, leaving you with the bright, glowing skin underneath.

3. SPOTS

Age spots (also known as sun spots or liver spots) are a common sign of aging skin. They are caused by overactive pigmentation. A lifetime of exposure to UV rays speeds up the natural production of melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color. Age spots are the product of hyperpigmentation caused by UV rays. 

WAYS TO ENCOURAGE EVEN SKIN TONE

Invest in a Vitamin-C serum

Serums that include vitamin-C as an ingredient are incredible resources to help even your skin tone and reduce age spots. Vitamin-C is an antioxidant, so not only does it protect the skin from further UV damage, it inhibits the production of melanin, evening the tone of already existing dark spots. 

Get a photofacial 

Photofacial treatments utilize heat and light energy to target hyper-pigmentation. At Medical Aesthetics & Laser, we use photofacials to completely rejuvenate the skin on the face, neck, hands, and arms. 

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A FACIAL REJUVENATION CLINIC

UP-TO-DATE, HIGH-QUALITY EQUIPMENT

Any aesthetic procedure requires the use of state-of-the-art technology. A trusted medical spa will not only use the best, most up-to-date, FDA-approved technology available, but will also have staff with intimate knowledge of how those technologies work.

EXCEPTIONALLY WELL-TRAINED, PROFESSIONAL STAFF

It is our job as medical professionals to make you feel safe, informed, and at ease during the treatment from start to finish. Whether it be a facial or a chemical peel, you deserve to be in safe hands during your treatment. 

During your med spa search, you can look through about us pages to see if the values of the company are up to your standards (and they should be high standards; this is your skin we’re talking about!).

REVIEWS 

Let those who have come before you help in deciding which laser treatment provider is best for you. Check out reviews to learn about other patients’ experiences before making any commitments. 

SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION WITH US

Ready to learn more about how you can support your skin and alleviate signs of aging? Schedule a consultation with our medical aesthetic experts at Medical Aesthetics & Laser. Your consultation is our best opportunity to get to know you and learn about your unique aesthetic goals. You’ll sit down with one of our skilled, compassionate team members and come up with a comprehensive treatment plan that best suits your needs! We would be honored to guide you on your journey to happier, healthier skin.

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT US

At Medical Aesthetics & Laser, we pride ourselves on offering expert aesthetic care in a friendly and discreet environment. Our highly skilled and experienced personnel share a wide range of expertise and a passion for what we do. Doctors, aestheticians, and trained providers with a combination of skills and experience make up our team.

Led by the talented Dr. Reeves, we are dedicated to providing the personal attention and specialized care you deserve. We take the time to listen to your needs and discuss your various options with you in detail to help you make the choices right for you. We can’t wait to discover how we can help you!