What causes wrinkles?

Many factors contribute to the facial line creases and folds associated with aging. With time, cellular changes in the skin occur including the degradation of the collagen and elastin network. Repetitive physical stress also plays an important role. Recurring facial movements continuously flex and bend the skin weakening its structure and support. Wrinkles or lines of expression in the eye area (crow's feet), forehead and mouth area (frown lines) are apparent and become more intense with time.

 How long does it usually take to get my anti aging skin care order once it is placed?

Product is sent through the U.S. Postal Service and takes approximately 3 to 5 days once payment is received and order is processed. Next day delivery is also available.

 Why does the skin of older people bruise so easily?

As people age, the skin becomes thinner and fat padding under the skin is lost. Thus, blood vessels are less protected from injury. An injury inflicted by mild trauma—for example, bumping against a table or being hit by a tennis ball—may result in a substantial bruise. In some instances, bruising may be an indication of an underlying condition. Bruises that appear for no apparent reason may indicate a bleeding disorder. Anti-clotting medications may cause bleeding under the skin.

 Older people often complain of itching skin. What causes this itching?

Aging and photoaging reduce the capacity of the skin to moisturize itself, so the skin becomes dry. Dry skin is one of the major causes of itchiness in aging skin. Over-the-counter moisturizing agents may relieve itching due to dry skin. Other causes of itchy skin often require the attention of a dermatologist. Elderly skin is sometimes more sensitive to clothing fabrics (especially wool), soaps and detergents, and other items encountered in everyday living. Identification of the sensitizing agents and limiting exposure to them may reduce the itchiness. Allergies to a host of indoor and outdoor agents may cause itching. Some medications cause itchiness as a side effect. Severe itching as well as itching that does not respond to moisturizing should be evaluated by a dermatologist.

 What Causes Aging Skin?

Aging skin is a natural part of getting older, and from the moment you are born your skin begins to respond to two sets of biological processes:

Let’s look at both of these factors…

Aging Skin and Heredity
If you are fortunate enough to know older generations of your family members, you may see patterns of aging skin in their faces and bodies. These can include:

If you see any of these indicators of aging skin—or others—in your older family members, chances are good that you will experience at least some of them too.

 What are the External Causes of Aging Skin?

Anti-Aging Skin Care Series

Many of the strongest external causes of aging skin are determined by the health and lifestyle decisions you make every day that harm your skin and make it look older, faster.

An important part of any anti-aging skin care program is to know what you may be doing that is harming your skin and speeding up your skin's aging process.

Here are 7 key factors that negatively affect your skin’s condition:

Cigarette smoke:
Whether you smoke, or you spend time with a smoker, cigarette smoke is damaging your skin. Research has shown that exposure to cigarette smoke significantly increases skin wrinkles and dryness. This is partly due to the behavior, and also because cigarette smoke depletes your body of Vitamin C, which is a key ingredient for keeping skin plump and moist.

Some researchers believe that exposure to cigarette smoke is as bad for your skin as exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet rays.

Sun exposure:
Unprotected skin that is exposed to the sun becomes more mottled in appearance. Freckles can turn into brown sun spots, the skin takes on a dry, leathery appearance, and wrinkles and sagging increase. Skin cancer risk is significantly increased by sun exposure.

The good news is that sun damage is avoidable, and if you start now, you can improve the condition of sun damaged skin.

See your health care provider to assess the amount of sun damage you may have, and to rule out possible skin cancers. He or she may be able to prescribe medication that can help to reduce existing sun damage.

If you don’t want to avoid the sun, make sure you use sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Choose sunscreen with SPF of 15 or higher, and use it all year-round, even on cloudy days. Clouds do not protect you from ultraviolet ray exposure.

Lack of exercise:
Because exercise helps tone muscles and gets blood flowing, it should be an important part of every anti-aging skin care program.

And the benefits of a regular exercise program will show on your face. Having a bright smile and lots of energy will help you look younger, at any age.

Exposure to cold weather: Cold winds and low temperatures can dry out your skin, so if you venture out in the cold make sure to use a good moisturizer.

It’s important to use moisturizer indoors too, as heated rooms can be very drying to skin. Consider using a humidifier to help keep your skin more comfortable.

Alcohol use:
Alcohol dilates small blood vessels in the skin, which causes increased blood flow near the skin's surface. Over time, these blood vessels can become permanently damaged, causing a flushed appearance and broken vessels on the surface.

Stress:
Maybe you’ve heard this expression: “Don’t frown, your face could stay that way.” Stress and worry cause frowning, and over time the muscles in the face actually conform to that movement.

Be aware of your stress level, and try to vary your facial expressions during the day. A good anti-aging skin care program should include meditation, yoga, gentle exercise or other relaxation techniques. Keeping stress in check, and frown lines and wrinkles to a minimum, will help you look and feel younger.

Lack of sleep:
Too little sleep makes you look and feel tired. One of the first places lack up sleep shows up is on the face, with dark circles and bags under the eyes, and sagging skin.

Research has shown that most adults function best with 8-9 hours of sleep each night. Reduce caffeine during the day (with none in the evening), avoid eating at least 2 hours before bedtime, and maintain a sleep routine that includes going to bed at the same time each night.

If you are having trouble sleeping, for any reason, it’s important to see your health care provider.

While some signs of aging are inevitable, there’s a lot you can do to look your best at any age. Taking good care of yourself is the most important step in your anti-aging skin care program.

 What causes fine lines and wrinkles?

Fine lines and wrinkles are an unavoidable part of the aging process. As we grow older our skin becomes dryer and less elastic. Most people begin to develop fine lines and wrinkles by the age of 30 or 35. However, overexposure to the sun can greatly enhance the aging process. Sun exposure promotes the formation of deep wrinkles and furrows, along with changes in pigment and skin texture.

 How can someone avoid fine lines and wrinkles?

Avoiding overexposure to the sun should be the key element of any skin care regimen. Sunscreen with an SPF of 15 should be used on the face every day. Staying out of the sun when it is at its peak (between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.) is also advisable.

 Are topicals available to treat fine lines and wrinkles?

Topical application of prescription drugs, most notably synthetic derivatives of Vitamin A (retinoids), can improve the appearance of sun-damaged and aging skin. For instance, topicals can be effective in diminishing fine wrinkles. However, most tretinoins are skin irritants and often produce skin reactions. In addition, any visible improvement may disappear when use of the drug is discontinued.

 How does laser resurfacing treat fine lines and wrinkles?

With facial resurfacing, a high-energy beam of infrared light is used to vaporize lines, wrinkles, scars, dark spots and other skin irregularities, layer by layer. This process also stimulates the formation of dermal collagen to improve elasticity and support for the skin.

 Are laser resurfacing treatments safe?

Lasers have been used in cosmetic surgery for more than 20 years and have been proven to provide safe, predictable and effective results when used by trained physicians on appropriately selected patients. Alternative treatments, such as deep chemical peels and dermabrasion, have largely been replaced by laser procedures due to the precision and uniformity that laser resurfacing provides.

 What is the difference between a light and deep laser skin resurfacing?

The precision of laser resurfacing allows physicians to tailor treatment according to the needs of every patient. Some patients choose deeper resurfacing for its maximum effect, while others require only light resurfacing or desire a faster recovery. In either case, the UltraPulse laser treats and provides significant cosmetic improvement for fine lines and wrinkles.

 What recovery time is needed for facial resurfacing?

With moderate to deep resurfacing, the skin goes through an initial healing period, which includes crusting that typically lasts seven to ten days. At this point, most patients return to normal activities and makeup may be applied. The fresh, new skin will be reddish pink, a good sign that healing is taking place and that blood is nourishing the growth of new skin cells. This redness gradually fades within four to twelve weeks depending on skin type and depth of laser treatment. Lightly resurfaced patients can typically return to normal activities within four to five days, and redness disappears within three to five weeks. Of course, adhering to physician's instructions for post-operative care will aid in the healing process.