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Q: Lately, friends have made comments about me looking tired. They are right, I do look tired. My skin just looks dull. I am starting to develop lines and brown spots! I even seem to have extra “baggage” around my jaw line. I am only 43 years old! How can that be? I am very a bubbly, energetic decorator / designer who sleeps and eats well. I haven’t really worried about skincare in the past because my skin has always looked great. How can I avoid looking older than I am and definitely older than I feel? Is it too early to start using anti-aging products and treatments?
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A: I think the key to longevity is early maintenance. You mentioned you are a decorator, so bear with me as I “attempt” to speak your language…
Think of your skin as a home. Your home can be a beautiful older home or it can just be an old home. The difference between a beautiful older home and an old home is maintenance. A well maintained home that is freshly painted and properly cared for with necessary maintenance becomes a beautiful older home. Otherwise, if we neglect our home, the only thing we’ll have is an old home. We must do those necessary repairs as they are needed, or one day you may wake up to find out that your once beautiful home is worn down and no longer reflects who you are anymore. By this point, it may need to be completely remodeled before you feel at home in it again (surgery).
There are three things that you absolutely need to do to your skin to maintain it.
- Daily (that’s 365) use of UVA / UVB sunscreen with SPF 45 or higher.
- Continued exfoliation (retinol, Retin-A, glycolic acid, microdermabrasion, chemical peels…)
- The proper use of moisturizers.
The best way to avoid looking older is to protect your skin 365 days of the year. Many patient’s have said “Roxanne, if I only use one skincare product on my skin, what would you recommend?” I can assure you my answer is always the same – “UVA / UVB broad- spectrum SUNSCREEN.” All other anti-aging skincare products are pointless if you are not using sun protection. I would recommend that you refer back to two earlier blog posting’s (if you haven’t already).
Medical-grade skincare products are the best way to properly moisturize and maintain the skin. These products are dispensed only by a physician. They are not available over-the-counter because they are generally of a much higher concentration. A daily medical-grade skincare program will help maintain results from skin treatments and reverse signs of aging.
There are some simple, effective, in-office treatment options for early maintenance. Medical microdermabrasion, laser treatments, chemical peels, or intense pulsed light photo facials can help to restore a youthful appearance. You might be surprised how much younger one can look by just evening out the skin tone, removing brown spots and keeping the skin well hydrated. CO2 CO2 Micro-Fractional Laser ResurfacingMicro-Fractional Laser Resurfacing can more aggressively reduce lines and brown spots, build new collagen and improve skin texture and laxity. Using a combination of both in-office skin treatments and a medical-grade home skincare program will give you the best results in early skin restoration.
Roxanne, Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Clinic
This question was answered by Roxanne, Medical Skincare and Laser Specialist at Cosmetic Plastic Surgery Skin Restoration and Laser Institute. Please contact us for additional information at 217-3508 Roxanne Hammond, RMA
Skincare and Laser Specialist
G. D. Castillo, M.D.
COSMETIC PLASTIC SURGERY
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