The Art of Aging Gracefully

You don't have to spend much time flipping through the TV channels before you become bombarded by all varieties of miracle creams and treatments that are guaranteed to make you look 10 years younger in 10 minutes! While some of this is certainly hype, the anti-aging market is huge and filled with some truly amazing products and advances that can indeed turn back the hands of Father Time.

Because there are a multitude of factors that affect skin health, the approach to optimum skin protection and care must be multi-faceted.

Skin care starts with sun protection. One of the most important factors in day-today environmental factors, sun exposure is THE most important. Any good skin care program must start with sun protection. Most people who use sunscreen use it improperly or not at all. They believe if they put on a high SPF, they have no worries when exposed to the sun, even directly, for prolonged (6-8 hour) periods of time. Unfortunately, this simply is not true. Most sunscreens only provide protection for a few hours, and if there is sweat or water exposure, the actual protection can be less than that.

Simply not recognizing the hazards of regular daily sun exposure, and thus not preparing the skin properly with sun protection, also creates risk of sun damage.

I recently saw a young woman in her mid-30's in consultation, who was concerned about "spots" and uneven coloration on her face. What she did not recognize, despite looking at herself in the mirror every day, was that all of the changes were ONLY on the LEFT side of her face. My first question to her was "do you drive a lot?" She was unaware that daily sun while driving was damaging her skin. She never considered putting on protective sunscreen as a daily routine because she didn't consider herself "out in the sun." Sunscreen when used and used correctly, can definitely reduce the signs of aging.

Diet and smoking, are also significant enviromental/life-style factors that have an effect on skin. Free radicals related by excessively "glycemic" (sugary) diets, or smoking can damage the skin by causing the major structural proteins in the skin, like collagen, to "cross-link," making the collagen stiffer and leading to early wrinkles.

The only way to truly improve the health and appearance of your skin is to have a regular regimen of skin care. This is no different that having a regular exercise regimen to promote strong muscles and bones. Having a skin are regimen designed by a professional, who can properly assess the condition of your skin and recommend specific clinically proven skin care products, is essential for maximizing your skin care regimen.