Love Your Looks

Aging can be difficult to come to terms with, especially when it comes to our looks. Some people aren’t ready, and may never be, to pursue cosmetic surgery options. As Tina Fey wrote in her autobiography, Bossypants, ” I have thus far refused to get any Botox or plastic surgery, although I do wear a clear elastic chin strap that I hook around my ears and pin under my day wig!”

Science has certainly made tremendous advances in treatments for aging skin targeted at wrinkles and brown spots. An issue that is still a struggle for most is keeping the skin firm and toned. Many women love the way their faces look in their thirties. This is because they are noticing a loss of volume, which gives a more contoured shape to the face. The problem is that this volume continues to decrease with time and causes the skin to lose elasticity and youthful glow.

The most important step in preventing aging is to find ways to continue collagen production, which is the key factor in maintaining a youthful appearance. Collagen starts to deteriorate in your thirties, along with elastin, which gives your skin its resilience and bounce. Key factors in this diminishment are sun damage and decreasing estrogen levels. In addition, our muscles and bones start to atrophy, which adds to the aging process.

Our staff at the Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery in Newport Beach, CA have gathered some effective DIY tips for turning back the clock.

Sag-Proof Your Skin

• Apply a minimum SPF 30 every single day. Re-apply at least once during the day. We recommend EltaMD Sun Care Products. You can purchase these products at Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery in Newport Beach, CA. We also recommend buying a powder sunscreen w/brush applicator, so you can easily apply throughout the day even over your make-up. One of our favorites is by iS Clinical
• Don’t smoke. Smoking cuts off oxygen to your skin, ruins collagen and elastin, and lowers estrogen levels.
• Cut down on alcoholic beverages. Limit to 1 or 2 drinks once or twice per week. Alcohol increases insulin levels, which creates inflammation and can accelerate sag.
• Use Retinoids and Peptides nightly. Proven to increase collagen production and help with cellular turnover. Use the strongest retinoid your skin can tolerate. Prescription grade will have higher strengths than over-the-counter products. If using it every night is too irritating, try every other day until your skin adjusts.
• Exfoliate. This is like “exercise” for your skin. Removing surface layers of dead cells, shocks the skin into production of new cells, which helps stimulate new collagen production. Exfoliating also allows your products to penetrate more easily. A great exfoliation tool is the Clarisonic. Available at most beauty stores.
• Healthy food choices. Some research shows you might be able to use what you eat to help fight against sagging skin. Start by adding the following into your diet: soy or soy-based products, cold-water fish (salmon is a good choice), foods rich in vitamin A (carrots, sweet potatoes, cantaloupe, dried apriocots) and vitamin C (citrus fruits, tomatoes, and broccoli). Adding other antioxidant rich food, such as olive oil, fruits, spinach and other leafy greens, will help fight free-radicals, which harm your skins cells and contribute to wrinkles and sagging.

No matter where you are in the aging process, following these guidelines will provide a healthy environment for your skin to thrive in. For some, following the above regimen alone may not be enough, and more aggressive treatment may be necessary to improve existing wrinkles or sagging. Visit Pacific Center for Plastic Surgery for suggestions on non-surgical and surgical options to help you “Love Your Looks.”