Have you ever had a moment when you thought, “Where did the time go?” The other day I was taking a survey and had to check the box marked “41 to 50 years old” and thought, “Wow, I don’t feel older, or act older.” Which brings me to the question; what makes us look and feel 10 years younger than we really are? Growing old gracefully certainly has a new meaning – I feel it is something we can control now. I feel youthfulness has less to do with age and more about how we take care of our skin and body.
Tanned skin has more appeal now than it did in the middle ages. Then, pale skin was a sign of wealth because poor farmers and pheasant laborers worked outside and became tan. But now… my how the signs of beauty have changed! Tanning beds, smoking, diet pills, fast food, and alcohol continue to contribute to premature aging. But, not to those who take care of their skin and eat for nutrition. All of these factors may contribute to a break down in collagen, which results in a loss of skin elasticity, folds, wrinkles, expression lines, and droopy jowls. It is certainly easier to prevent the damage than to repair it. But, with the modern advancements in ingredient technology and aesthetic procedures, is it possible to take 10 years off a clients face without plastic surgery? I say, yes when they dedicate themselves to using the right products at home and in-clinic treatments.
Microdermabrasion, chemical peels, retinols, amino peptides, and antioxidants (vitamin C and ALA) can all function harmoniously to help reverse the signs of aging – when used properly. Exfoliation at home is necessary for the turnover of skin cells. This can be achieved with a low-grade alpha hydroxy acid or retinol product. In addition to at home exfoliation, professional chemical treatments with a higher percentage of glycolic acid or salicylic acid exfoliate deeper layers of skin creating a smooth and soft texture. This simple service may also keep pre-cancerous cells and age spots from wreaking havoc in the skin.
The best anti-aging product available is a sun block (UVA and UVB). If a conscious effort is made to prevent sun damage by using a sun block, sunglasses, and protective clothing, the skin will benefit in the long run. You do not have to be at the beach, by the pool, or laying under tanning lights to get sun exposure simply getting out of your car and walking to the store will provide you with your daily dose of damage. Combining sun protection with antioxidant protection can help reduce your risk of damage from both UV rays and oxidative stress.
Finally, healthy skin starts with a healthy body. Exercise and diet are critical components to the anti-aging process. These two healthy practices keep you feeling good by increasing circulation and releasing oxygen to the body. And when the day is done, leaving stress with a good punching bag may make you feel much better. Including antioxidant rich foods in your diet, decreasing caffeine and artificial sweeteners, as well as processed food full of salt and preservatives may cause swelling of the skin and body and reduce your caloric intake. Exercise and diet are critical to anti-aging because at a certain point the dramatic loss or gaining of weight can pull the skin too quickly and cause stretch marks, or with weight loss, the skin may sag. Once we reach a certain age, there is not a really good chance of regaining that firmness.
As AIA’s President I feel that it is not only my obligation to bring our profession to a fair and recognized industry by all entities, but to educate you on everyday topics as well. I feel we are all facing these anti-aging questions from our clients and must remember that we are walking advertisements of our work; the way we look, act, and talk matters. We must continue to stick with tried and true aesthetic practices, keep up-to-date on new ingredients and techniques, and not fall into fad treatments. Keeping up with education and our peers is the true key to the success of all. Preventative aging and anti-aging skin care is a comprehensive practice that treatments alone cannot correct. Dedicate your practice to improving your client’s skin from the inside out and the results will be remarkable!
Tina Zillman
Aesthetics International Association
President
