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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. 

Skin Through the Ages: The 20s

 
This post is the second 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. This post focuses on the 20s.

Your 20s are all about choices: choosing who you want to be, what you want to do, where you want to live, where to go for spring break…. Along with all those choices is choosing the type of skin you want. “Huh? I already know my skin type, so what gives?” Yes, you already have the dry, normal, oily, combination or sensitive skin you had in your teens. That will start to change in your mid- to late 20s. But how you care for your skin during your 20s will determine how soon you see signs of aging in your 30s and what type of damage appears in your 40s. So let’s get to what you should do to help your skin age as gracefully as possible.

A routine
Did you mean to start a regular skin care routine in your teens, but never quite got around to it? Don’t worry. There’s no time like the present, but this is the time you have to establish a routine if you want to set yourself up for good healthy skin down the road. Choose the proper products for your skin type and use them every morning and every night. No exceptions.

Sunscreen
Yes, you hear this everywhere, including in multiple posts on this blog. That’s because it’s so important! We can’t change the body’s aging process (at least not yet), but you can prevent sun damage from adding to the aging process. Use a lotion with at least 30 SPF every day to keep sun damage at bay and avoid unnecessary sun exposure.

Acne
Your teens may be over, but dealing with acne is not. Many people continue to experience issues with acne well into their 20s. Make sure to continue using acne treatment products as needed and avoid triggers that may cause breakouts. These include touching your face unnecessarily, using overly drying products, not moisturizing properly or stress, among others.

Anti-aging
Although we were just talking about acne – traditionally a teenage problem – skin care in your 20s is tricky. There’s a reason why skin care lines offer products that are both anti-aging and acne treating. In your mid-20s, the rate your skin turns over will start to slow, and in your late 20s, you may start seeing some fine lines. These combination products are meant for that unfair time when acne and fine lines creep in at the same time. Introduce a gentle exfoliant into your skin care routine in your mid- to late 20s to avoid the fine lines, but also to make sure that it won’t irritate your acne.

All those other pesky -ings
Now is the time to stop those other bad habits you’ve picked up: smoking; drinking (too much); eating (too much and the wrong foods); and sleeping (too little). These things may seem fun now, but in 10 to 20 years, you’ll think differently. You’ll want to make these changes now before they leave their permanent mark on your body.

Are there any other skin problems that you’re experiencing in your 20s? Post them in the comments below and I’ll try to help you out! If you need to schedule an appointment, visit our website.