Ways to Treat Aging Skin
How Does the Face Age Over Time?
Over time, structural changes will occur that are responsible for visible signs of aging. In our youth, fat throughout the face is more evenly distributed, while plumper areas can be found in the temples, cheeks, or forehead—think of “baby fat” causing chubby cheeks. Over time, this fat distribution shifts downward causing a more sunken appearance and sagging. Fat redistribution also causes some of the skin laxity and subsequent wrinkles or folds that you may see in the mid to lower face.
At the same time, collagen and elastin production within the skin will slow over time. This gradually begins as early as the mid-twenties for most people. With reduced collagen and elastin, you are more likely to wrinkles and folds as well as crepey texture and sagging.
Finally, sun damage or other types of environmental damage can cause visible aging signs over time. Sun spots are common, as is poor texture as a result of damage.
Anti-Aging Skincare
At-home skincare that is appropriate for your skin type and lifestyle is a crucial way to prevent signs of aging from developing or worsening over time. In addition to maintaining your skin’s appearance, the right products will also keep your skin healthy.
One of the most important skincare steps to take is applying SPF daily. Products that contain SPF 30+ will help prevent damage and signs of aging from UVA and UVB light. In addition to keeping your skin youthful, SPF will also help prevent skin cancer.
Gentle exfoliation can also help maintain a youthful look by removing damaged and dead skin cells at the surface. Chemical exfoliators are gentler to the skin than harsh scrubs and can be especially beneficial as you grow older when exfoliation is more difficult.
Finally, anti-aging topicals such as retinols can help reduce excess pigmentation and improve elasticity by preventing and repairing damage. In addition, keeping the skin hydrated using products that contain hyaluronic acid and other ingredients will help maintain a youthful and healthy look.
Botox and Dermal Fillers
Among the most popular anti-aging treatments are Botox and dermal filler injections. Botox, a neuromodulator, can help reduce dynamic wrinkles such as crow’s feet, glabellar lines, or horizontal forehead lines that form as you make more severe facial expressions. Dysport is a comparable option which uses the same active ingredient as Botox.
Dermal filler injections typically contain hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance that gives the skin a firm and hydrated appearance. Dermal filler injections can be placed to essentially fill in wrinkles and lines or to restore sunken areas such as the cheeks, under eyes, or temples. Some injectable options include Juvéderm products, Restylane, or RHA Collection.
Laser & Light Facial Treatments
Laser and light treatments are a great option for patients who see hyperpigmentation, texture issues, or both. These treatments can precisely target areas of concern or resurface the skin with limited downtime.
BBL Photofacials use light energy (or broadband light) to heat the surface layers of the skin. This improves hyperpigmentation such as sun spots while stimulating new collagen production.
Halo is a hybrid fractional laser, which means that it delivers a combination of ablative (resurfacing) and non-ablative wavelengths to the skin. This makes it highly effective in treating common signs of aging while causing as little damage to the surrounding skin as possible, reducing your overall healing time.
Laser Genesis is a non-ablative Nd:YAG laser option which generates heat energy. This improves collagen production to restore youthful volume, speeds skin cell turnover, and kills acne-causing bacteria.
Schedule a Consultation
To learn more about your anti-aging options, schedule a consultation with Dr. Faiyaaz Kalimullah or Dr. Kevin Cavanaugh at the Center for Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine. Call our Chicago, IL office at (312) 767-5113 or contact us online.
