Minimize + Prevent Wrinkles
They look cute on dogs and babies ...
But for the rest of us....not so much. You wake up one day and stare back at yourself wondering "When did these show up? How long have I not noticed them? Do I look my age or older? What am I going to do about these crows feet?!" And there we are...middle aged with our A-game slipping.
We. Are. Not. Getting. Younger.
Where did the wrinkles come from?
Lack of water, imbalance of acid/alkaline food, high stress, and natural aging all contribute to TEWL (Transepidermal water loss) the loss of water in the skin via evaporation. With more years under our belt, the body also slows down the frequency of reproducing key proteins (collagen) that help the skin stay firm.
Think of collagen as the bricks of a building. As a building ages, the bricks can start to crumble and even collapse. That collapse is the same thing your skin is doing, thus, creating a wrinkle.
How does my body produce collagen?
Amino Acids, Minerals, Vitamins and Hormones:
Lysine and threonine are two of the essential amino acids that are absolutely necessary for collagen production. The body doesn’t make these, so they must be obtained from the diet via such foods as meats, dairy products, wheatgerm and beans, or nutritional supplements.
According to a research article by the Department of Biological Sciences of Salisbury State University, iron is essential in the production of collagen, “an integral component of the arterial wall.” Zinc is essential to the synthesis process involved in both the creating and utilizing of collagen and thus is essential to the process of wound healing. Copper is important to the structure of collagen, helping to produce its tension and strength. Vitamin C, vitamin A, vitamin E, and vitamin B1, also called thiamine, each has an important role in the production of collagen. Hormones play a huge role. When we put the pieces together, as we women age, experience menopause or other hormonal disturbances, we begin to dry out faster and simply don't age as well as men due to the imbalances in our hormones.
Check out these super cool images of a section of skin.
The top image is younger healthier skin. plump like a Thanksgiving turkey! The bottom is of mature skin - thinner epidermis, dried out, ruddy and in dire need of nutrients.
But I already have them so now what?
Your options are many so I have broken them down for you based on pricing levels.
Least expensive: regular visits to your esthetician (every 8 weeks), low grade (30% or less) chemical peels on a consistent schedule, invest in high-quality ingredients in your home products, get your paws on collagen boosting serums and night creams with retinol (vitamin A)
Moderately Expensive: higher grade chemical peels (in Wisconsin, anything above 30% must be done by a medical professional), or fillers such as Botox, Juvaderm or Restalyne.
Quite Pricey: plastic surgery, resurfacing treatments
Look away!
Please do your skin a favor and stay away from any home kits for microdermabrasion, micro needling, etc - why? Because if you look up professional treatments like the ones listed above, they need to be done by a professional who has been trained in bloodborne pathogen prevention, physiology of the skin, and the treatments need to be performed a certain way. MLM companies are very good at selling you on the 'you can do it yourself' concept and it only results in more issues later on. Certification, additional classes and state licensing is here to protect bad things from happening to good people:)
hit the brakes - let's go back to the first part
Water Water Water: The only way your body can effectively remove toxins from your body and carry essential nutrients to the skin is to drink enough water for basic functions to take place. You should be drinking 1/2 your body weight in ounces a day (150 lbs = 75 oz water). Have a hard time getting this done? Grab some type of water measuring cup where there are ounces on the side of the cup. Set a goal - like 20 oz by10am, another 20 oz by 12 noon, etc. until all your ounces are in. Still choking it down? Set smaller goals - just add a few more ounces a day until you work your way up.
You are what you eat: The more healthy fats you eat, the better. Each layer of skin is surrounded by layers of fat cushioning ( phospholipid bilayer). Pack in the avocado, salmon, flax, nuts, olive and coconut oils...any healthy yumm-yumm that will help your skin hang on to that plump appearance. Healthy lean proteins, such as fish, chicken, turkey, tofu, nuts, seeds are some of the top proteins to go after. Meats in the red category are sometimes up for debate - eat those in moderation as studies show they create inflammation inside the body. (then it has to fight the inflammation by pulling resources from other areas = water loss = bad news bears = dehydrated skin = wrinkles.) If interested check out an Acid/Alkaline chart online to help guide you toward choices that lead you toward the middle of the chart as much as possible.
High Stress: Stress management is a topic I will always tie in as it is proven that the mind creates distress orase in the human body. Invest in some type of stress release activity - go for a walk, run, take a yoga class (Mickaela Summers, Valerie Hickman, and Ellen Dupuy are all phenomenal women to go to for yoga and I'm more than happy to connect you), try your hand at meditation, read a book, distance yourself from as much negativity as you can, do whatever it takes! (Take a peek at my other blog topics on the harmful effects of stress-related cortisol on your skin.)
Searching for specific product recommendations?
It really depends on your skin type, current medications, home care routine, and medical background. Feel free to reach out to book a facial service so I can help guide you toward healthier skin based on your skin analysis and consultation. I will then have a better idea how to lead you in the direction of what will work best for you.
Some of my favorites are:
Bioelements Age Activist serum (brightens, tightens, reverses aging)
Bioelements Sleepwear night cream (smooths lines and increases hydration levels)
Bioelements Plump Start serum (collagen booster, firming, hydrating)
One of my favorite ways to combat aging skin is to go through a series of light to moderate chemical peels. Each session building on the last and then allowing the skin some down time to build itself up stronger than when we started. Combining a targeted approach in the treatment room, with your high-quality ingredient home care products are the steps toward slowing the aging process and reversing existing damage.
If you're interested in learning more, have comments, would like me to connect you with my yoga & massage tribe just shoot me a message! I'd love to hear from you:)
Make this week one that is filled with joyful appreciation for each and every moment. "When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It's to enjoy each step along the way." Wayne Dyer Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/waynedyer173500.ht When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It's to enjoy each step along the way. Wayne Dyer
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/waynedyer173500.html When you dance, your purpose is not to get to a certain place on the floor. It's to enjoy each step along the way. Wayne Dyer
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/waynedyer173500.html
{with gratitude}
Brooke Bateman