Skin Through the Ages: 50s and Beyond

photo © 2012 Quinn Dombrowski, Flickr

*This is the final post in a series called “Skin Through the Ages.” The series will focus on how to take care of and manage skin at various points in life.

You may be wondering why I’m even writing this post, because worrying about your skin in your 50s seems pointless. Why bother if you can’t stop Mother Nature? While that may be true, there’s no reason to feel like you should just let go of your skin care routine. Actors like George Clooney and Jamie Lee Curtis look amazing after 50, and you can too. It’s true that they have access to Hollywood plastic surgeons, personal chefs and trainers, but you can get great results without those things. Here are some tips to keep you looking and feeling fabulous in your 50s and beyond.

Same song and dance
You’ll want to keep up the good habits that I hope you developed in your teens and 20s. Wash your skin on a regular basis with products tailored to your skin type and needs. Eat a healthy diet. Stay hydrated. Stay out of the sun. Wear sunscreen. Stay active. Following these basic health tips will help you look and feel younger.

Neck & décolletage
You’re probably noticing some sagging and drooping in the jaw, neck and décolletage areas. This happens over time as collagen in skin breaks down, along with other factors such as losing weight too rapidly. The skin simply doesn’t have the elasticity and the ability to bounce back like it used to. Check out our post on “The Science of Aging” for more information on why this happens. To combat it, make sure to use a rich facial cream (yes ladies, even on your “ladies”) to help these areas as much as possible. If need be, look into more intense methods like surgery and lasers to help get rid of those jowls.

Lighten up
If you haven’t been diligent about using sunscreen, then sunspots are probably a side effect you are unhappily dealing with. Luckily, there are products designed to help lighten those areas. Look for makeup that gives the appearance of even-toned skin or bleaching facial products that actually lighten the spot over time. Our blog post on the best anti-aging makeup can help you identify the best products for you. Regardless of the method you choose, make sure to keep using sunscreen to avoid new skin damage.

The big guns
Fillers, injections, lasers or surgery are always viable options. We’ve seen and heard of plastic surgery horror stories, so do your research before choosing a skin care professional to perform any of these services. Make sure they are fully accredited, are using quality products and that they review all of the information and answer any questions pertaining to the service with you before you pay or sign on anything. You can also start by reading our posts on Botox and fillers to familiarize yourself with these options.

Smile
Simply put, smile. Nothing looks better on a person than a bright, confident smile. It makes you feel good, makes you look good and they’re oftentimes infectious. That’s the best and cheapest piece of advice I can suggest for any age.

Do you have more specific questions about skin care issues in your 50s and beyond that I didn’t touch on? Leave your questions in the comments below and I’ll try to help you out! If you need an appointment with Advanced Dermatology, click here.