We can’t anti-age, but we can manage aging
Maybe you’ve started noticing some lines around your eyes or a bit of lackluster skin tone. If you are interested in taking better care of your skin but unsure where to start - keep reading!
Perhaps you are turning 40 this year - like me! Or 30 or 50. Whichever milestone it is, you surely want to preserve your youth or increase your self-confidence to celebrate another year older. So make this the year you are serious about your health, maybe weight or physical fitness and your skincare - because it is kind of a total package. Let's say you are still fairly young; you don't really see any lines or wrinkles but you have noticed skincare products advertised in your news feeds and think you probably should do something other than simply wash your face with that cleanser you carelessly picked up at Walgreens. Okay yes you're right! We are aging at all times, even my 7 year old is aging, right? You better believe he washes his skin, moisturizes twice a day and applies SPF (with my help and nagging of course). But I’m hoping I'm setting him up for good habits and healthy skin in his future. While genetics do play a role, having the tools of know-how can help manage any skin conditions.
What to Look For
Recognizing the signs of aging may not always be obvious, alot of what is happening as we age is internal and on a celluar level and then gradually we start seeing the external signs. And it's in those stages that make it much more difficult to treat aging, not impossible but expectations must be lessened. Additionally, our lifestyle plays a large part in our skin appearance. Try this excerise to recognize some signs of skin concerns: Take a close look at your skin in the mirror, not a magnifying lamp, your skin should be free of products and makeup, again no magnification required. What do you see? Write it down. Note what features you like and what you would like to change about your skin. Don't forget your neck and chest area. Do you see large pores? Do you see puffy undereyes? Do you like your cheekbones? Now with clean fingers gently feel your skin. Does it feel smooth or bumpy? Does it feel dry or slick? These are all properties of identifying specific skin conditions or types and they can be signs of aging.
What to do
By beginning with with proper cleansing and moisturizing you can be doing so much for yourself. But that is just the start. Incorporating technologies and maybe even making additional lifestyle changes may be necessary. The absolute #1 practice you can be doing for slowing down aging and protecting your skin is wearing SPF everyday! So many times in my practice I meet clients that do not wear SPF for a myriad of reasons; “I don't like the way it looks or feels”, “I work inside”, “I wear it when I'm at the pool”, “I have it, I just forget to put it on”, “I'm too sensitive for it” and the excuses go on and on and my brain just hears wah wah wah wah wah and I just see lips moving. My point is SPF is so critically important to our everyday lives and there are many different types of SPF products on the market - we can find one that you’ll love wearing just as much as your favorite pair of Nikes.
I mentioned that cleanser from Walgreens - I absoultely shop there, however, professional skin therapist and companies do not use mass produced products found in big box stores. It is rare that a quality brand created with the highest-grade ingredients or unnecessary fillers or irritants be sold at those stores. We study clinical and professional brands that were created out of necessity. Purchasing your products that are recommended by a trained skin therapist not only supports us but you can feel confident knowing it was selected specifically for your skin type or condition and not just by what mass marketing on the box or label reads.
Is it ever too late?
Now, let’s tilt the scale a bit more and let's say you're older and can see signs of aging such as dark spots around your eyes, deeper lines on your forehead. Perhaps you have noticed some fine lines around your eyes which is likely dehydration and you're thinking, “I guess it's time for Botox?” Well pump the breaks before we dive right into injections. Have you tried facials with microcurrent or microneedling or ever had a chemical peel or used LED? There are many more non-invasive options available before jumping right into Botox - which I’m not saying should never be an otpion ever. But let's create a plan and a healthy routine, maybe Botox can be incorporated with facial treatments because I’m here to tell you there are no real secrets, no magic potions and lotions, no fountain of youth other than practicing healthy skincare. You must do it and do it constitently to see changes. You must discover what products you should be using that are appropriate for your skin, not JLo’s skin - love her! You must seek out a professional skin therapist that can make those recommendations and again you must be consistent in both professional treatments and home-care. It is never too late. Be realistic and self-confident and begin a skin journey you will love at any age.
Thank you for reading. This blog was written completely by Angela Miles (not AI). All rights are reserved for the purpose of my practice at Moon Valley Facial Lounge, 2024.
