Issue link: http://www.finelinesmagazine.com/i/1192395
6 ASCP Fine Lines dermal matrix becomes damaged and disorganized. The amount of collagen decreases, elasticity is compromised, and the skin becomes thin and less firm, allowing wrinkles to develop. Exposure to sunlight, especially UVA and UVB radiation, also stimulates the production of melanin, resulting in a pigmentation increase, creating what we lovingly call age or liver spots. Addressing the Visible Signs of Aging Today, lessening the appearance of visible signs of aging is more than just reducing the appearance of wrinkles. An experienced esthetician will look at the entire complexion, addressing your skin's tone, clarity, and color. For many decades, the approach to combating wrinkles was moisturizing. The belief was that by plumping up the dehydrated surface, superficial lines would decrease. Today, there are a host of beneficial ingredients and treatments that address many of the signs of visible aging as they manifest on the skin, starting in the 20s. Here, we will look at visible signs of skin aging that may become evident decade by decade, and how your skin care professional can work with you to address them. In Your 20s Up to 90 percent of the visible skin changes commonly attributed to aging are caused by the sun and can be seen as early as in one's 20s. At the same time, oiliness and breakouts can still be a holdover from the hormonally charged teenage years. At the spa: Facials featuring deep-cleansing clay masks can help remove excess oils and debris. Look for treatments buffered with hydrating ingredients such as cocoa and organic coconut oils. by Lydia Sarfati Strategies for taking care of your skin at every age Aging with Grace It's true that we age from the moment we are born. The speed at which age leaves its signs on our face is influenced not only through chronological time, but also by genetic encoding and environmental effects. How Skin Ages Young skin is supple and smooth, firmly draped over the underlying structures of the face. Aging or sun- damaged skin is different from youthful, healthy skin. The differences are appreciable in moisture content, in the appearance of fine and deep lines, and in the thinning of the epidermis. One of the most important and visible aspects of older skin is the color and texture difference, because desquamation, or the shedding of dead skin cells, becomes irregular. Skin contains elastin and collagen. Collagen provides strength to the skin structure, and elastin provides the snap or resiliency, allowing the skin to move about and then return to its original state. When the elastin fibers undergo changes that cause them to lose their resiliency, the skin is no longer able to bounce back as quickly. As a result, sagging and crinkling occur in a pattern that manifests as wrinkles. The skin is an excellent record keeper. Every moment we spend in the sun adds up like credit card debt, to be repaid at a later date with visible damage that is difficult to repair. Ultraviolet rays generate free radicals that wreak havoc on cellular material. They are capable of altering DNA and may also affect membranes surrounding the skin cells—destroying or altering enzymes and proteins required for cellular metabolism and affecting amino acids. With age and increased accumulation of UV radiation, the