Ageing: Uneven Skin Tone & Wrinkles

Understanding your Ageing skin

If you are concerned about ageing, you are not alone. People ponder not just about their changing appearance but about their ability as they advance in years to have a body and mind that can function at its optimum – plus they’d like to avoid the doctor and surgeon’s office.  We’ve all got better things to do!

In the natural process of ageing the changes which happen in the skin, that are visible, are also happening all over the body.  Cellular function slows, the healing of damaged cells becomes less efficient, cell DNA is changed which means the new replica cells coming through are also damaged.

As a consequence of this slowing, in the skin the amount of collagen and elastin are decreased, the areas in and around our cells hold less water and so skin increasingly looks and feels dry, loose and saggy with fine lines and wrinkles appearing.  Although all this is a natural process the rate at which it happens varies from person to person. It is influenced by a number of factors –

• your age
• what’s in your diet
• your genes and hormones
• pregnancies
• UV exposure over your lifetime and the climate you live in
• health, and illness’ throughout your life.
• lifestyle, including smoking & your management of stress
• skin care routine – the lack of, or the type of products you have chosen

At menopause the decrease in oestrogen causes less water retention, so our skin becomes dehydrated more easily and this increases the rate that skin ageing occurs.

 

Is photo ageing the same as sun-damage?

The areas of our skin that are exposed to light including sunlight (UV radiation) are damaged more easily than other areas. UVB affects the epidermis (outer layer) and UVA the dermis (inner layer).  Just compare the skin on the backs of your hands with the skin on your buttocks – one is likely to be lined and  have uneven tones, the other could still be as smooth as a baby’s skin – it’s all due to sun exposure or UV light.

The skin absorbs the UV light which causes a photochemical reaction. This then causes an oxidative reaction to occur in the cell – think cut surface of an apple turning brown – the cell is now damaged and its replacement, an exact copy is also damaged.

Over time the deeper level of the skin, the dermis, sustains extensive cellular damage, and as a consequence there is a decreased  blood flow to the entire area. When there is a poor blood flow there is reduced nutrients and oxygen reaching the area and – that’s when we start to notice all the signs of our skin getting older.

Imagine this happening all over your body, all the areas which see the light, to understand why sunblock and  healthy lifestyle choices are significant in how we age.

And YES – the term photo-damage relates to how much sun or UV light damage your skin has at any given time.

 

Why do wrinkles occur as we age?

As part of photo-damage fine lines and wrinkles form. The skin loses its elasticity from a reduction in collagen production, from damaged collagen fibres and the inability of the skin to repair these fibres.  Less  water is retained in the epidermis  and fine lines become visible which, over time become permanent wrinkles.

 

What causes pigmentation?

Pigmentation and uneven skin tones are caused from both hormonal influences; melasma or post menopausal, and from  a lifetime of passive exposure to sunlight . The areas can be patchy, multiple or single areas of darkened skin varying in size. They are likely to increase as you age, especially after menopause in women.

Melanin production is the way our skin naturally protects us from free radical production and subsequent damaged-cell DNA. This leads onto thickening of the epidermis which gives you initially uneven skin tone but will eventually develop into thick leathery skin if UV exposure continues.

Damaged DNA may eventually alter the cell sufficiently to become a skin cancer.

 

Is Enlarged Pores Linked to Ageing

Everyone has pores in their skin,  you cannot survive without them!  However, they can look ugly when they expand, especially when over a large area of your face.

Ageing enlarged pores occur as the dermis thins, but most importantly, as the epidermis thickens. As part of this process, collagen surrounding each pore is stretched, allowing the pore opening to relax and become enlarged.  When the skin is dehydrated, which it invariably is at this stage, the situation is exacerbated.

Treatment is not about harsh exfoliation, but treating the dehydration and repairing the collagen – DNA repair and growth factor serums.

 

Skincare To Slow The Ageing Process

• Great antioxidants including Vitamin A and DNA repair growth factors.
• Vitamin A  – choose carefully so the % is appropriate for your skin type, condition and age. Always start your Vitamin A at a lower percentage and increase as you finish a bottle if your skin is feeling good.
• UV protection – EVERY DAY whether you are inside or out and whatever the weather is doing.

Enjoying in clinic treatments, will boost the effectiveness of your home care.

Eat an exceptional diet, low in processed foods and refined sugars, drink lots of water, stop smoking, limit alcohol and find ways to manage stress; these will all help.

Once your skin begins to show the signs of aging, it is wise to be using an eye cream and a neck cream if you haven’t already started. Always add the remnants of serums and creams into the backs of your hands when you have finished applying them to your face. Waste nothing, and don’t expect miracles overnight.

 

Normal To Slightly Oily Skin Care Options

Aspect Dr Starter kit is a brilliant and easy place to start as it is a kit with almost everything you need (make sure you use an SPF also). Add the Aspect Dr Complete Pigment Plus in around 3 weeks. Otherwise we recommend the products below – with an SPF everyday of course!

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Dry To Sensitive Skin Care Options

If you need any help in choosing your skin care, you can email us at info@theskincareclinic.com.au.

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Pigmentation Skin Care Options

If you need any help in choosing your skin care, you can email us at info@theskincareclinic.com.au.