Natural Skin Care Monthly Newsletter
November, 2005
With featured articles on skin care, treating facial skin problems, and interviews with skin care practitioners, skin care product providers, and dermatologists.
Anti-Aging Skin Care - Turning Back the Clock
by Dr. Loretta Lanphier, ND, CN, HHP, CH
Wrinkles are quite literally a "sign of the times." They are caused by factors including aging, the sun, cosmetics, and environmental pollutants such as tobacco smoke. For many people, these "laugh lines" are no laughing matter. Can anything be done to avoid or postpone such unwanted skin damage? Let's see what we can find out!
How Can I Prevent Wrinkles? The best way to avoid wrinkles is to protect your skin from the sun. You also need to develop a daily skin care routine. Wash your face with a gentle, organic cleanser twice daily to remove perspiration, debris, and pollutants that accumulate and damage your pores. Use a natural sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 15 on a daily basis. Stay away from smoking, caffeine, and alcohol, as these substances dry out the skin. Drink adequate amounts of clean, purified water every day to keep your skin well hydrated and supple.
When Should I Start Using Anti-Wrinkle Creams? It's best to start using an anti-wrinkle cream before your first wrinkle ever appears. Some folks begin using a wrinkle cream in their thirties. As we age, collagen levels in the skin begin to decline. Anti-wrinkle creams can help to decrease the effects of less collagen. Be sure to choose a natural, chemical-free product for best results like Always Ageless;.
How Can I Diminish Wrinkles? There are quite a few natural products and techniques available today to help with wrinkle reduction. The methods you choose for wrinkle management will depend on how many wrinkles you have, where they are located, and how troublesome they are to you. Anti-Aging Products and Ingredients Vitamin A produces a slight inflammatory reaction in the skin. It can puff up the skin and thus reduce the visibility of wrinkles.
Vitamin C: This water-soluble vitamin bolsters the overall circulation and promotes collagen production as well. It can also brighten dull, sallow skin and reduce dryness. Be careful as sometimes Vitamin C can actually cause break-outs for those that live in very humid climates.
Vitamin E is an excellent antioxidant that protects skin from free radical damage. It also boosts the immune system, increases circulation, and strengthens red blood cell membranes.
Coenzyme Q10: This is also a potent antioxidant that fights free radical damage and aids in circulation as well. Q10 can be taken as an oral supplement or applied topically as a cream.
Alpha Hydroxy Acids: AHAs are fruit acids that help get rid of dead skin cells that can give a dull appearance to the skin.
Anti Aging Procedures
Botox: Botox (or botulinum endotoxin) injections are a fast way to significantly improve wrinkling. They are an alternative to invasive procedures such as surgery. Botox is a neurotoxin that is naturally produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum. It works by slightly paralyzing the muscles around the wrinkles. It is especially effective on "motion wrinkles" such as laugh lines and crow's feet. Botox injections are expensive, and they must be repeated every few months as the effects are only temporary. Safety is still somewhat questionable
Dermabrasion: This is a surgical procedure that uses microcrystals or other abrasive substances to abrade facial skin around problem areas. It is an expensive procedure that requires ten days or more for total recovery.
Laser Resurfacing: This popular, high-tech procedure involves laser light beams that are used to eradicate the upper layers of damaged skin. It is very effective on fine lines, and is also used on deeper wrinkles in some cases. However, laser resurfacing has potential risks which include: infection, scarring, irritation, and skin discoloration.
Chemical Peels: As alarming as it sounds, chemical peels involve the application of a chemical solution to your skin that burns off the damaged tissue. The most gentle form of chemical peel is the glyolic acid peel, which removes dead skin cells from the epidermis only. These procedures are sometimes called "lunch time peels," as they may only require ten or fifteen minutes to perform. However, they do not produce permanent results, and they need to be repeated often.