Have Sensational Skin At Any Age
As skin ages, it can start to feel dry, look dull, and lose firmness. But new research has led to products and procedures that can help. Here are some to consider.
Your at-home plan
You need to follow these steps for three to six months to see results.
1. Shield your skin daily
Most wrinkles, brown spots, and other signs of aging are due to sun exposure. So slather on sun protection (with an SPF of at least 25) every morning, no matter the season. Look for products that contain micronized zinc and titanium dioxide.
2. Increase cell turnover
Every evening, use a vitamin A-enriched skincare product. Retinoids are the most potent ingredient you can use to help increase cell turnover to give skin a youthful glow. Look for products that contain retinol or retinaldehyde.
3. Step-up exfoliation
Once a week, skip Step 2 and add an at-home microdermabrasion kit to your skincare routine. These kits help improve the texture, color, and evenness of your skin. You can find them in the skincare aisle of most mass retailers.
4. Add on overnight repair
Apply an anti-aging cream nightly to help repair and replenish skin. Look for one that contains an antioxidant such as idebenone, which helps to even skin tone, increase firmness, reduce the appearance of wrinkles, and brighten the skin.
When to bring on the big guns
If you're still not satisfied after six months, some in-office treatments can make a difference. All should be done by a board-certified doctor.
Botox will smooth away fine lines. It works by relaxing the muscles it's injected into, so overlying skin can't wrinkle for four to six months. It's used mostly on the forehead or around the eyes.
Juvéderm or Restylane can fill in and plump deep lines. These injectibles are made with hyaluronic acid, which draws water to the area, plumping it up to help reduce line depth that occurs between the nose and mouth.
Fractional resurfacing lasers are used to polish and brighten. Redness and enlarged capillaries can be zapped away with a series of three to six treatments.
Dr. Andrew A. Jacono is a facial plastic surgeon in New York City.
Expert advice: Choosing Anti-Aging Skincare Products
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