Our genes play the most prominent role in the natural aging process. However, while there are things we cannot control when it comes to how our skin ages, there are things we can do to slow it down. To know what you can do to prevent premature skin aging, you have first to understand how skin ages. Here is a timeline of how skin ages:
Infancy onwards
There’s a reason why perfect skin is often compared to a baby’s skin. Baby’s skin is delicate and typically flawless. Because infant skin has barely been exposed to the environment, it’s soft and supple. And even if a baby’s skin is prone to rashes and irritation, it heals quickly and often snaps back to its original state. As the child gets older, their skin becomes less sensitive.
Teens – early 20s
When kids hit puberty, sex hormones called androgens increase; the excess hormones cause oil glands to produce a lot of oil or sebum. The sebum blocks pores and hair follicles with skin cells, causing acne breakouts. Some teens have severe acne, while other teens will rarely get a pimple. Teenage acne can last for years, but it will typically go away by the early 20s.
Premature skin aging prevention should start as early as your twenties. Protect your skin from the sun, as sun exposure in your twenties can become skin discoloration, age spots, and freckles as you age.
20s onwards
Many people in their mid to late twenties still have acne; however, at this point, it’s considered adult acne. Fluctuating hormone levels likely cause adult acne. The 20s is also the stage that your skin begins aging. The change is minimal, but some people will already have visible lines and wrinkles, especially in their forehead.
If you’re a smoker, smoking will contribute to your skin’s dryness and sallow complexion. It will also speed up skin aging and may cause wrinkles. Alcohol can also be rough on skin, dehydrating it and damaging it over time.
30s onwards
You will probably start to notice the change in your skin in your late twenties; your skin may be drier and more prone to irritation. This is because your skin’s cell turnover rate has begun to slow down, and dead cells start to accumulate on the skin’s surface. You will notice that without regular exfoliation and moisturizing, your skin will look duller. Eye bags, forehead wrinkles, crow’s feet, and laugh lines become noticeable in your 30s.
40s onwards
By your 40s, hormonal changes and loss of collagen and estrogen will cause your face to lose volume in your cheekbones and jawline. Your face won’t look as tight as it used to be as elastin fibers that made your face look fuller decrease. Dynamic wrinkles will increase at this stage and appear deeper.
50s – 60s onwards
In your 50s – 60s and onwards, you will notice your facial muscles are now sagging. Your skin will feel fragile, thinner, loose, and less radiant. At this point, you have more static wrinkles. Your skin will no longer heal as quickly due to the loss of collagen. You will also notice an increase in skin imperfections such as discoloration, age spots, and freckles.
Premature skin aging can be prevented by making lifestyle changes such as avoiding sun exposure, quitting smoking, eating a well-balanced diet, and committing to a skincare regimen. However, even if you feel you’ve passed the point of prevention, you should know that there’s still hope. There are skin treatments that can dramatically improve aging skin.
If you want to learn more about skin renewal treatments, BOTOX and injectables, skin tightening and resurfacing, contact CüR Laser and Skin by calling (604) 662-7368 or emailing [email protected] for a FREE consultation.
