Our skin wrinkles as we age due to loss of collagen and elastin. Collagen is a protein that gives skin its strength. The body produces about one percent less collagen every year after age 20. Other factors that can make skin age more rapidly include smoking and excessive exposure to the sun.
In order to prevent sun damage, one should use a sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB rays. Sun damage can occur during even the winter months, so it is important to use sunscreen every day as part of a normal beauty and health regimen if you spend time outdoors. Susan Obagi, assistant professor of dermatology at the University of Pittsburgh and director of the Cosmetic Surgery and Skin Health Center recommends that individuals choose a sunscreen with a minimum SPF protection of 35 or higher.
Avoiding being in the sun during peak hours, wearing protective layers of clothing and hats are other ways to keep your skin wrinkle-free and healthy-looking.
Quitting smoking is yet another thing one can do to prevent premature aging of the skin. Smoking results in more rapid loss of collagen and elastin and can increase the rate at which sun spots, lesions, or cancer develops. Smoking also reduces blood flow to the skin, which means that the skin receives fewer nutrients and therefore ages more rapidly with a much slower ability to repair itself from any kind of injury or damage.
A Mayo Clinic study also found that the heat of cigarette smoke when exhaled could also cause damage. Smokers pucker their lips while smoking, which can lead to the formation of wrinkles around the mouth.
Reducing alcohol intake is yet another easy way to keep skin healthy. Alcohol can dehydrate the skin, so it is important to make sure you drink plenty of water if you plan to drink.
Keeping skin clean, especially after the use of make-up is yet another way to keep your skin looking healthy. Cleaning and moisturizing your skin keeps it free of bacteria and prevents it from drying out. It is also important to note that shaving can irritate skin, so shaving the skin while it is wet and using a moisturizer after shaving can help protect your skin and keep it looking healthy.
Finally, a good night’s rest is yet another simple way to ensure healthier skin. Poor sleep can lead to dreaded bags under the eyes.
Of course, these preventative measures, when applied over a period of time, can slow the aging process, but cannot totally eliminate the natural loss of collagen or elastin that occurs as we grow older.
To battle loss of elastin and collagen, New York Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Leonard Grossman had developed a process he calls “the Protocol”. The Protocol system is a guarantied method to stimulate formation of new collagen and elastin fibers according to Grossman. The system combines the use of exfoliants, alpha hydroxy acids, Retin-A, Vitamin C and repair cream containing hyaluronic acid. According to Grossman the fast acting Protocol allows patients to see a change in as little as 5 days with skin looking 10 years younger in three months.
If one already has developed wrinkles due to the natural aging process, there are still many other options to reverse this process. Many people choose to use Botox Cosmetic, to relax the facial muscles and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Botox can reduce the appearance of forehead lines, crow’s feet (lines around the eyes), frown lines, or smoker’s lines.
Botox is injected under the skin by a plastic surgeon. Dr. Leonard Grossman is a skilled plastic surgeon offering Botox treatment in New York. He works closely with patients to develop a treatment schedule to ensure that the skin will look fresh and young.
Keeping skin looking healthy and young is a life-long process. With a combination of preventative measures, daily skin care, and Botox treatment, you can continue to always look your best!
