Skin Care
As any good skin-care doctor will tell you, some of us get lucky in the gene-pool department as far as great skin goes. Others of us are not so fortunate. And sometimes, even those blessed with inherited beautiful skin encounter problems – particularly as they age.
Besides the genetics, other things also influence how our skin looks. Some of these are part of the natural, normal processes of aging, while others occur due to things we do (or don’t do!) that negatively affect our skin.
Causes of Aging and Damage
Due to changes beyond our control, the skin loses fat, oils and moisture, causing a decrease in its ability to be resilient – springing back to normal after it’s been creased by sleeping positions, facial expression (squinting, smiling, grimacing, etc.). Skin aging also means a decrease in the number of blood vessels, which accounts for that healthy, rosy glow of youth.
Conversely, we indulge in certain behaviors and don’t do others that result in the aging of our skin. These are things that can be changed and in so doing, help prevent wrinkles, though cannot do away with them once they’ve arrived. These include:
• Not smoking
• Eliminating alcoholic beverages from your lifestyle
• Limiting your time in the sun
• Using moisturizers and sunscreen
• Drinking plenty of water
• Maintaining a healthy diet
• Exercising
Medical Science to the Rescue
Almost no one lives an ideal lifestyle, however. We may do some of the things we need to do to have great skin, but not do others. We may not smoke, but spend too much time in the sun. We may exercise, but sometimes not eat so well. And all of us – no matter what we do or don’t do – age. Fortunately, there are now ways to help get back the skin you yearn for through the efforts of a good cosmetic surgeon and the latest treatments in professional skin care techniques.
Doctors today have an arsenal of weapons to fight against damaged, aging skin. Botox , Restylane and collagen injections help smooth out wrinkles and plump up skin folds and furrows. Treatments such as laser skin resurfacing, microdermabrasion and chemical peels get rid of the skin’s top, damaged layer to reveal younger, rosier, fresher-looking skin beneath.
About the Author
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