Skin Care at Every Age

Healthy skin habits start at a young age, as my son Jacob has shared in his videos. As every dermatologist will tell you, the most important thing for all ages is to protect your skin from sun damage! Beyond that there are obviously different concerns that tend to arise at different points in our life and while everyone’s skin is unique I wanted to share some general tips for skin health as you age.

For those of you in your 20s if you haven’t already established a skin care routine now is the time. Prevention is key at this age. A gentle cleanser, moisturizer and sunscreen are the key elements. You may also want to consider an exfoliating product to help turn over the skin cells. Many people in their 20s may still be dealing with acne as well so if you are having flare-ups and don’t have a treatment that works well for you, be sure to talk to a dermatologist. While most people at this age haven’t started to develop wrinkles, I do see some younger patients for “preventative botox” as there is evidence that use of neuromodulators can actually prevent the formation of wrinkles down the road.

In your 30s is when you will likely start to notice more changes to your skin. For the most part, the routine you established in your 20s is still relevant (especially the sunscreen part - seriously, wear it every day!) Loss of collagen is a big one and this is the perfect time to introduce retinoids to your skincare routine. Hyaluronic acid is another ingredient that I recommend to help hydrate the skin and soften the appearance of fine lines. In terms of in-office treatments, depending on the condition of your skin you may consider starting laser or light-based treatments to help even out the skin tone and stimulate collagen.

For most people the 40s is when you start to see more signs of aging. Women in this age group may experience the onset of peri-menopause and the increased hormonal activity can wreak havoc on your skin. Adult acne may even be a problem and I often encourage the use of a retinoid for both anti-aging and acne concerns.  It’s a great time to incorporate an antioxidant like topical vitamin C into your routine as well.  

50s and beyond - yes I know there are a lot of years beyond the 50’s and everyone’s skin is unique at every age but especially as we age our needs differ. Unfortunately I’m running out of space for this post, but in brief, with age the skin dries out so hydration and a good emollient is key. In addition to the above, incorporating a growth factor could also be considered!  At this age and beyond one of the biggest problems is volume loss. Hyaluronic acid based fillers like Juvederm or Restylane can be helpful to lift the tissue, soften the folds and minimize the appearance of the jowls and sagging skin.  

No matter your age it is important to develop a treatment plan that is right for you and work with a doctor who can help to evolve that plan as you age to keep you looking and feeling vibrant!

New Years Resolutions for Healthy Skin

A new year is upon us and while people are making their resolutions I thought I would share four skin care resolutions that everyone can make (if you aren’t already doing it!).

1.     Protect your skin from the sun. This is the single best thing you can do for your skin to prevent photoaging and skin cancer (and is just as important in the winter months as the summer). Top priority is trying to minimize sun exposure, staying in the shade, and wearing clothing and hats to protect the skin. Since avoiding the sun is not always possible or practical, be sure to use a broad spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Many daily moisturizers include sunscreen but often the SPF is minimal. This is of course better than no protection but I strongly encourage the use of SPF 50 or higher.

2.     Check your skin. Most people don't think of visiting a dermatologist unless there is something "wrong" with their skin. Like most things, preventative maintenance is better than waiting to take corrective action. Worse yet is the possibility of missing the opportunity to treat a potentially dangerous skin condition before it progresses. I recommend that everyone do a self skin examination. If you notice any changing or suspicious lesions it is important to get in to see your dermatologist. Annual skin reviews can be an important way to monitor your skin, particularly if you have fair skin, lots of moles or freckles, or a personal or family history of skin cancer.

3.     Use a topical retinoid. Retinoids are chemical compounds derived from Vitamin A. While high potency oral retinoids are used to treat skin conditions including acne and psoriasis, the science indicates that topical retinoid creams are valuable for general skin health, including minimizing fine wrinkles, reducing brown pigmentation, preventing precancerous lesions and improving acne. Topical retinoid creams are often prescription based, but there are physician directed skin care lines that also contain retinol and have good evidence supporting their effectiveness.

4.     Embrace a daily skin care routine. There are lots of skin care products on the market touting all sorts of claims and very few are backed by science. However, there are some physician directed skin care lines that I recommend to patients, including SkinMedica, SkinCeuticals, Vivier and Skinbetter Science. These brands have scientific studies backing their claims. Key products that I recommend include antioxidants, retinol, and of course sunscreen. Following a daily routine with some essential skin care items can help establish healthy skin habits.

If you stick with these resolutions your skin will thank you.