How to treat aging skin

Changes in our skin as we age

As we get older the skin can become drier, less supple and elastic with some degree of thinning. In part this is due to changing hormone production. The thinner skin can be susceptible to bruising and tearing while itching, cracking and scaling can all be a problem. The signs of aging become more evident on our skin with increased roughness and wrinkling and uneven pigmentation.

Care should be taken that so called age spots are checked carefully as precancerous and cancerous lesions can occur in aged and photo aged skin – if you are unsure, get your skin checked by your doctor. Age spots are more related to accumulative sun damage than due to aging.

Skin care for older skin

Your skin requires different skin care as you age. If you had oily skin when you were younger it is now this becomes a benefit more than a problem. Your skin will be less prone to dryness from aging and may well have developed less lining and wrinkling. As we grow older, our skin doesn’t produce new cells at the same pace and this reduced cell turnover rate means our skin does not have the fresh glowing look of when we were younger. Daily moisturising with a moisturiser that effectively hydrates will plump the skin cells and give a fresher look.

What to do?

• If you smoke – stop smoking and help not to accelerate the aging of your skin.

• Good nutrition is important – try to eat a healthy well balanced diet with the good oils included such as olive oil, fish oils from salmon and tuna, flaxseed oil and avocado fruit or oil. All will help to keep aging skin supple and smooth.

• Treat your skin gently with an effective moisturiser that will help provide all day hydration – hydrate your body as well, dehydration shows on the skin.

• Changing hormone production can be treated naturally with certain herbs and supplements or hormone replacement therapy can be sought through a doctor.  Balancing hormones can have a positive effect on the skin.

• Use cleansers that are creamy and have no drying ingredients such as soap and detergents.

• Sun protection is as important now as it ever was – use a sunscreen when outdoors.