Skincare Through the Years

Aging advice for 20’s, 30’s, 40s . and Beyond

Did you know that up to 90% of the visible signs of aging on the skin are due to extrinsic factors? Fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, sagging of the skin are all signs we associate with skin aging. How much sun exposure, how we treat our skin, what we use on our skin, lifestyle choices like smoking, drinking, what we eat like too much sugar can all impact our skin. Thing is “Aging is inevitable, but looking your age isn’t”. While skin is personal, and its needs vary according to things like your ethnicity or skin type, there are certain fundamental principles that will help the organ, the largest organ look it’s best in every decade. It's knowledge, that can make caring for your skin simpler and more satisfying, whatever your age.

NO MATTER THE AGE THERE ARE BASIC HABITS THAT ARE ESSENTIAL WHETHER YOUR 20 OR 50.

“Aging is inevitable, but looking your age isn’t”

1. Make sure your cleansing the skin properly. Having the appropriate cleanser for your skin and cleansing the skin morning and evening is essential. Removing dirt, sweat, grime, pollution, bacteria as well as makeup and spf. 2. Wearing UV protection every day. This is one of the most powerful yet underestimated skincare tips I can give. From a medical point of view, it protects our skin from developing sun burns and subsequently skin cancers. From a cosmetic standpoint it prevents all signs of aging that we mentioned before. Fine lines, wrinkles, pigmentation, loss of collagen and elastin. So this is the number one preventative tip. Wear Sunscreen EVERYDAY before leaving your house. Even if you are not going to be outside in the sun. .

Let’s look at the skin at every decade The sooner you can start the better.

20's Skin:

Skin care in your 20s is incredibly important because what you do or don’t do sets the tone for how your skin looks in the future. Generally, skin in this period is at its healthiest.

Skin cell renewal, collagen & elastin production are in their most optimal state. Skin is mostly hydrated, plump & radiant

Great time to get into the hygiene habits. Cleansing skin properly, adding in antioxidants like Vitamin C and wearing sunscreen.

Common skin concerns: acne, clogged pores, oily skin, irritation to skin from poor skin care habits.

A simple regimen that treats the oiliness of the skin is essential and you really need to intervene at the first sign of acne to prevent scarring.

30's Skin:

Your body is undergoing internal & external changes. Stresses of the past two decades start manifesting in visible skin changes.

Years of sun exposure, environmental factors & lifestyle choices combined with diminished collagen production leads to appearance of fine lines, uneven texture & tone, pigmentation issues, more visible under eye bags & circles and large pore size. This is a great time to take your skin care up a notch. Adding in a good eye cream, starting on retinol or Retin-A a few nights a week. This is also a great time to start treatments like microneedling to boost collagen production and start looking at preventative Botox.

40's Skin:

This is a biological milestone as it is perimenopausal period, the period before menopause when the women experience a decline in estrogen levels. Hormone shift means a loss of elasticity & thinner skin resulting in visible sagging of skin, notably in areas of the jaw, neck and chest. Skin issues from your 30s such as hyperpigmentation (increased pore size) fine lines, especially around the lips & eyes, wrinkles and more pronounced dullness and dryness. Some develop adult acne & widening of teenage acne scars.

This is the decade that would require a more aggressive approach. Topical Vitamin A is a must; this is your retinol and Retin-A but the store-bought stuff may not be enough. Time to invest in medical grade if you haven’t already. You may need to adjust the percentage of retinol or Retin-A and up to use on a nightly basis. This is going to be your friend. This will help with exfoliation, fine lines, wrinkles texture, tightness and tone. A good exfoliant with glycolic or lactic acids is also needed to break up the bonds of dead skin and keep the skin with a youthful glow. If the skin begins to feel more dry, a good hydrator should be added like the ZO Renewal Creme. Microneedling should be maintained and performed more often. We can also look at peels and may want to introduce fillers to support the deflation that starts taking effect in the face especially the mid face.

50's, 60's Skin:

Visible signs of sun damage & other environmental issues are most noticeable at this age. Intrinsic & extrinsic causes of aging combine to yield more dramatic changes in skin. Skin appears drier, dehydrated, blotchy, uneven, droopy & looser from decreased muscle tone and fat loss while wrinkles and age related growths become more pronounced. Treat pigmentation if not addressed yet. Sun damage and hormonal changes can bring about Melasma and deeper dermal hyperpigmentation. Add treatments that improve your skin turnover and continue great skin care your Vitamin C, Retin-A/ retinol - a good growth factor to help with skin surface, skin volume, wrinkle depth and texture ( ZO growth factor and newly formulated growth factor eye). Good time to address the neck, chest, hands if you haven’t started in the 40’s .

70's, 80's and beyond: We don’t stop!!

The truth is, our skin is the first thing everyone sees and healthy skin impacts us in far more ways than just physical health. Healthy skin impacts our confidence levels and ultimately our mental health so it is surprising that this organ is neglected by so many.

Overall maintenance is so important, both skin care as well as cosmetic treatments. To carry this body for life we have to be able to maintain our skin health.

Zoë Arscott Certified Aesthetic Dermatology Technician Owner of ëMed Spa Jamaica