Ageing is inevitable. It's something that's going to happen to all of us someday, yet I don't know a single person that enjoys seeing the signs of ageing on their skin. So, what's the science behind ageing and how can we delay the signs? As we age the collagen and elastin in the deeper layers of our skin starts to deplete: the major factor concerned with our 'older' appearance. Collagen and elastin are structural proteins that are made and used within the human body, responsible for holding everything together; without them our body would literally fall apart. Collagen is very strong and holds each layer of our skin together, whereas elastin allows stretch and movement of tissues within the body. Together they make a wonderful partnership which allows your skin to be spring-like and move easily. Once the skin hits around 25 years old the production of collagen and elastin starts to slow down - this means the ageing process has begun! With each year that passes by, the production of collagen and elastin slow down a little more and more. This results in our skin losing its flexibility and contours noticeably start to droop and wrinkle. The good news is there are ways in which we can delay the signs of ageing... Hurrah!
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Wearing an SPF all year round
When it comes to anti-ageing, who'd question that prevention is better than cure? It's far better to protect your skin from the word go, rather than waiting until the damage is done. UVA rays from the sun penetrate into the skin and destroy Vitamin A and E - the essential vitamins that keep your skin looking young and healthy. UVB rays are responsible for burning the skin, which rapidly speeds up the depletion of collagen and elastin as well as increasing our risk of skin cancer. Wearing an SPF all year round (regardless of whether you can see the sun!) results in your skin being protected from the damage UVA and UVB can cause.
Skin Needling
Many companies have now launched treatments called Skin Needling. The primary reason for using a skin needling device is to make little holes in the skin so that Retinol based products can penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin, stimulating collagen and elastin production. The tiny holes the needles make allow the products to penetrate deeper than no other topical skincare cream can reach. Marks are not left on the skin, but inflammation will be present and you may find tiny scabs that will disappear after a day or two. If the needle used is longer than 1.0mm in length it will draw tiny spots of blood and lymph fluid. Doctors and Dermatologist say this shocks the skin into 'healing' and therefore will automatically start producing collagen and elastin for healing purposes. You are effectively tricking your skin into its own anti-ageing treatment!
Vitamin A
The one ingredient you want to include into your anti-ageing skin care regime is Retinol. In basic terms, Retinol is Vitamin A as a whole molecule and is one of the best ingredients used for anti-ageing. It's a potent antioxidant and works on repairing damaged cells from free radical attacks (UVA damage) while stimulating new cell production. Not only is it great for anti-ageing, but also beneficial for scarred, blemished and pigmentated skin. You can take Vitamin A internally via supplements, as well as using it topically within your skincare regime by using products such as Environ - a pharmaceutical skincare range that contains high doses of vitamin A.
Keep your skin hydrated
Feed and nourish your skin. Think about what your skin goes through on a day to day basis: it wakes up, has a hot shower, is layered with makeup, taken into the cold winter air, blasted with central heating, blocked with dirt and pollution from the outside, and then (hopefully) washed and taken to bed ready for round two tomorrow. Treat it like it's won a medal for successfully being awesome throughout the day. Use a hydrating moisturiser morning and evening to boost hydration levels, replenish, restore and rebuild skin cells.
I hope this has educated you a little on the cause of ageing and possible actions we can put into place to help our skin out for as long as possible. Are you concerned with ageing? What do you do to delay the signs of ageing?
Written by Amy Bambrick
@amys_loves![]()
Wearing an SPF all year round
When it comes to anti-ageing, who'd question that prevention is better than cure? It's far better to protect your skin from the word go, rather than waiting until the damage is done. UVA rays from the sun penetrate into the skin and destroy Vitamin A and E - the essential vitamins that keep your skin looking young and healthy. UVB rays are responsible for burning the skin, which rapidly speeds up the depletion of collagen and elastin as well as increasing our risk of skin cancer. Wearing an SPF all year round (regardless of whether you can see the sun!) results in your skin being protected from the damage UVA and UVB can cause.
Skin Needling
Many companies have now launched treatments called Skin Needling. The primary reason for using a skin needling device is to make little holes in the skin so that Retinol based products can penetrate into the deeper layers of the skin, stimulating collagen and elastin production. The tiny holes the needles make allow the products to penetrate deeper than no other topical skincare cream can reach. Marks are not left on the skin, but inflammation will be present and you may find tiny scabs that will disappear after a day or two. If the needle used is longer than 1.0mm in length it will draw tiny spots of blood and lymph fluid. Doctors and Dermatologist say this shocks the skin into 'healing' and therefore will automatically start producing collagen and elastin for healing purposes. You are effectively tricking your skin into its own anti-ageing treatment!
Vitamin A
The one ingredient you want to include into your anti-ageing skin care regime is Retinol. In basic terms, Retinol is Vitamin A as a whole molecule and is one of the best ingredients used for anti-ageing. It's a potent antioxidant and works on repairing damaged cells from free radical attacks (UVA damage) while stimulating new cell production. Not only is it great for anti-ageing, but also beneficial for scarred, blemished and pigmentated skin. You can take Vitamin A internally via supplements, as well as using it topically within your skincare regime by using products such as Environ - a pharmaceutical skincare range that contains high doses of vitamin A.
Keep your skin hydrated
Feed and nourish your skin. Think about what your skin goes through on a day to day basis: it wakes up, has a hot shower, is layered with makeup, taken into the cold winter air, blasted with central heating, blocked with dirt and pollution from the outside, and then (hopefully) washed and taken to bed ready for round two tomorrow. Treat it like it's won a medal for successfully being awesome throughout the day. Use a hydrating moisturiser morning and evening to boost hydration levels, replenish, restore and rebuild skin cells.
I hope this has educated you a little on the cause of ageing and possible actions we can put into place to help our skin out for as long as possible. Are you concerned with ageing? What do you do to delay the signs of ageing?
Written by Amy Bambrick
@amys_loves