Gorgeous skin at any age: Battle the signs of ageing and win

Slowing down skin ageing may not be preventable forever, but as long as there are so many solutions available to make your skin look and feel young, why not give it a try?

Let’s be honest: ageing is inevitable. Those fine lines and wrinkles will show up sooner or later. And this isn’t necessarily bad. After all, that’s nature’s way of doing things.

However, there are some factors that might interfere with your natural skin ageing process, such as prolonged sun exposure, smoking, environmental pollution, an unhealthy diet, or poor sleep. This is how premature ageing appears, with all its signs: hyperpigmentation, sun spots, wrinkles, and fine lines. Fortunately, you can take steps to prevent the signs of ageing before they begin by taking care of your diet, applying sunscreen before going outdoors, and using skincare products that are explicitly formulated with anti-ageing ingredients and suitable for your skin type. Also, remember that treating such conditions starts long before they occur, so it’s paramount to take action in your twenties so that your thirties and the other years of your life are all about healthy and glowing skin.

So, Alphaville’s Forever Young may not be possible, but youthful-looking skin can be reachable as long as you’re mindful of a correct anti-ageing regimen.

Whatever you do, wash your face

It’s incredible how much such a simple step in a skincare routine can do for your skin. But it’s true: washing your face twice a day, as experts recommend, is one of the most powerful weapons against ageing. That’s because by doing this, you eliminate common culprits of ageing, such as pollution, debris, oil, dirt, and makeup, accumulated throughout the day. Now, cleanser possibilities are unlimited, but dermatologists’ recommendations usually revolve around a mild face wash formulated with essential fatty acids and calming ingredients like green tea and centella asiatica. If you deal with adult acne, we know it’s tempting to go for a cleanser with acids, but note that this tends to dry – sometimes damage – your skin, especially if you don’t moisturise appropriately after washing your face.

Don’t be afraid of retinoids

Most people avoid retinol because they fear a potential side effect called purging. However, if used correctly and in accordance with your dermatologist’s advice, retinol can be the best line of defence against ageing. Retinol is the one ingredient that could renew your skin and repair damage by boosting collagen production. If you get used to this version of vitamin A, you’re more than likely to have youthful-looking skin at any age. However, ensure you ask for a professional’s advice on which formula and concentration best work for you. Your dermatologist could even prescribe a retinoid that’s even more potent than retinol – tretinoin. In other cases, you might need just an OTC 0.3% retinol product or even the new, natural alternative to retinol – bakuchiol.

Exfoliate weekly

There is no better way of sloughing away dull, dead skin cells than exfoliation. Surprisingly or not, your skin sheds away dead cells every 28 days, approximately, but with ageing, this process can take longer. Therefore, ensure you exfoliate once a week to remove that build-up and reveal new, brighter skin underneath. An exfoliating product also boosts cellular turnover and helps minimise wrinkles and fine lines. Just be sure not to overdo it, and avoid using exfoliators and retinoids or BHA and AHA acids in the same routine, as you run the risk of irritating your skin.

Consider fillers to restore volume and fill wrinkles

One of the most prominent effects of ageing is seen in the loss of fat and volume in your face. That’s unfair, we know, but there is nothing you can do about it. Or is it? Well, most serums, lotions, and creams are not that powerful to fill wrinkles and restore volume (at the very least, they help with those fine lines around your eyes and mouth). But dermal fillers, or Juvederm cosmetic treatments, can be. This kind of treatment is used to plump up cheeks, lips, jawline, and under-eye hollows. How does it work? Injecting in the area in question a gel containing hyaluronic acid meant to replace the one that you have lost.

There are two types of filler treatments: localised and generalised. Localised fillers are used to plump up a specific area, such as cheeks or lips, and these include Juvederm, Restylane, and Belotero. Generalised fillers, on the other hand, are used on a larger area, such as the entire cheek, temple, or lower face. Sculptra is the best-known treatment in this regard.

Now, note that dermal fillers are non-surgical. If you need surgery, such as a facelift and fat removal, we recommend finding a competent healthcare practitioner and asking several doctors for advice. If the surgeon fails the procedure, you can claim compensation for surgical negligence, according to https://www.howmuchcompensation.co.uk/, but it’s better not to end up in such a situation. Therefore, consider your options carefully, and only do the procedure if you’re 100% sure you really need it and of your doctor’s competencies.

Upgrade your SPF routine

The effects of ultraviolet energy on the skin are overwhelming: it causes not only spots, fine lines, and saggy, wrinkled skin but also dilated blood vessels. Moreover, prolonged exposure promotes skin cancer, which is the worst-case scenario. Simply put, there is no more sure way of ruining your skin than tanning on purpose. Dermatologists agree that ultraviolet A-rays are the leading cause of premature skin ageing, while the B-rays are responsible for that red, raw appearance. Fortunately, a carefully-selected sunscreen can protect you from both. Hence, ensure you choose a product formulated with ingredients like zinc oxide, avobenzone, or titanium dioxide, which has SPF 30, at least, and reapply it every two hours – every single day, year-round. Fortunately, you have lots of options, as sunscreens nowadays can be selected depending on your specific needs and skin type.

Eating a low-glycaemic diet, having healthy sleep hygiene, and controlling stress are other not-to-be-neglected steps towards youthful, glowing skin.