YOUR SKIN CHALLENGE: AGING SKIN AND WRINKLES

• Mild fine lines and wrinkles can be adequately covered by make-up.
• Moderate fine lines and wrinkles can also be covered with make-up, but it will not hide the lines as effectively. This moderate appearance of lines and wrinkles is indicative of early wrinkling accompanied by a with a sallow complexion.
• Advanced line and wrinkles requires coverage by foundation, rather than make-up. This stage indicates persistent wrinkling that is often accompanied by skin discolouration, alongside with broken blood vessels and sun damage.
• Severe lines, wrinkles and furrows cannot be adequately covered up by make-up or foundation. Deep wrinkles and lines are often accompanied by age spots, also known as sun spots.

Causes of aging skin and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles

There are a number of factors that affects how your skin ages, both visible and invisible, and at what pace. Not all of these are necessarily related to the aging process, and to genetics alone. Few people are aware how lifestyle choices such as what you eat and drink, sun exposure and the environment can affect how your skin ages. Even the amount of water you drink each day can have an effect on your skin. It is important to remember that the skin you have in your twenties will be different to the skin you have in your thirties, forties, fifties and sixties. You will experience skin changes in each decade of your life. When we talk about aging skin, we differentiate between two types of aging, chronological or actual aging which is unavoidable, and photo-aging which is due to sun exposure, and other environmental factors.
• Chronological aging can become visible from as early as your twenties. This type of aging skin is aggravated by earlier sun exposure going as far back as your childhood. In your thirties, your skin’s cell turnover starts to slow down. This slowing down of cell turnover, which can be uneven, results in a build up of dead skin on your skin’s surface. Dead skin is the cause for your skin’s dull complexion and uneven, rough patches. Dry skin is also a common occurrence, and results in your skin taking on a yellowish appearance.
• Photo-ageing is caused by exposure to ultraviolet light and free radicals such as pollution and environmental toxins like cigarette smoke and car fumes. The exposure to ultraviolet light and environmental toxins show up more on the surface of the skin and becomes visible in the form of sun freckles, age spots and dilated blood vessels. All of these visible signs can result in an uneven, discoloured skin tone.
Fine line and wrinkles can be caused by a number of things. They can be caused by the way you frequently smile or frown and can appear more pronounced on one side than the other. They can also be caused by over exposure to the sun and environmental factors and free radical agents like cigarette smoke, pollutants, toxins and dry skin. No matter how well you may look after your skin, you will eventually bear these signs of the passage of time.

Prevention
It is important to be aware of the damaging effects of ultraviolet light or radiation on your body, and the effect of a diet high in fat and processed foods.
• Avoid being in the sun for too long.
• Use sunscreen. The earlier you start using adequate sun protection, and protect yourself from other environmental elements, the more your skin will look better. In looking after your skin from an earlier age, you will significantly reduce your risks for developing premature skin ageing and discoloured lesions later in life.
• A diet that is high in fat and full of processed foods can actually result in dull looking skin.
• For healthy, bright looking skin, exfoliate regularly with the correct skincare range to remove dead skin cells.
• A regular Superficial Peeling method will help to stimulate your skin’s cell turnover.
It is important to remember that collagen and elastin are the proteins responsible for your skin’s elasticity, tone, and texture. These proteins are affected by your diet, age, hormones, skin products, cosmetic treatments, and overall health. To improve the look of your skin, in addition to using the correct skincare products for your skin type, you need to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, and drink more water to retain the moisture in your skin.

Treatment
At Dr Bhabha Aesthetics, we empower you to understand your skin, how it ages and provide you with sound advice on how you can care for your skin and look better. We also provide you with skincare products for your skin type and advise you on how to treat your skin. Some of the anti-aging treatments we offer include:

You can prevent acne by ensuring that you keep your face, neck and body clean.
• Wash your face twice with a gentle, cleansing product and a soft cloth that removes impurities, including make up.
• Tone and moisturize your face and neck to prevent dryness and peeling.
• Wear a sunscreen that is specifically for your face.
• Don’t wear a lot of makeup, and if you have an acne breakout, try not to wear any makeup as it can irritate your skin. It is best to wear oil-free, noncomdeogenic makeup that doesn’t have any added dyes and chemicals in it.
• Watch what hair products you put on your hair as they can get on your face and block your pores, causing a breakout.
• Eat healthier foods and drink more water to keep your body hydrated. We cannot emphasize enough the importance of water to the health of your skin!
• Don’t pick at your acne as this can lead to scarring and spread acne to other areas on your face or body.