Aging is a fact of life. However, there are certain precautions that we can take to help protect our skin. Exposure to sunlight is the single largest culprit for aging and wrinkling skin. UV exposure from the sun can cause elastin to break down in the skin. Additionally, as we age, collagen production tends to decrease. In fact, collagen production typically starts to decline around the age of 26. By reducing our exposure to sunlight and better understanding how collagen helps with our skin’s appearance, we can mitigate the appearance of aging.

Eliminating UV Exposure

Did you know that around 85 to 90 percent of skin aging is caused by UV exposure? People who use sunscreen (with at least an SPF rating of 15), wear sunglasses, and caps when appropriate, show about 25 percent less skin aging. Skin damage related to UV exposure is also cumulative over our lifetime, as about only 23 to 24 percent of lifetime sun exposure has happened by the time a person turns 18.

Regulating our exposure to the sun is one of the most important things that we can do on our own to take care of our skin. Here are some general tips to help reduce skin aging that is related to sun exposure:

• Consider long-sleeved shirts and pants when appropriate.
• Some types of laundry detergent are UV repellent; consider using these.
• Sunglasses can help protect the skin around your eyes, potentially reducing wrinkles around them; UV exposure is also linked to cataract formation.
• Avoiding exposure on high-degree days where the sun is prominent. In Australia, in most states, this translates to most days as the UV index rarely dips below 3.

In general, UV exposure over the years will cause us to seek skin treatment, no matter the level of precautions that we take.

Taking Care of Collagen Levels Within the Body

As we age, collagen production tends to decrease in the body, starting at about the age range of 26 to 30. This is something that we do not have a tremendous amount of control over. As collagen levels in the body decrease, the skin becomes drier, less elastic, and thinner. A skin care clinic like Skin Essentials has treatments available that help stimulate collagen production within the body, leading to brighter, younger looking skin. Some of these treatments include:

• Biostimulator Fillers: Biostimulator fillers are a particular type of treatment that help stimulate collagen level, leading to longer-lasting, younger looking skin.
• Skin Needling: This is a treatment that we offer that can help stimulate new tissue growth, as well as heal damaged skin tissue.
• Skinboosters: These are some of the most revolutionary types of skin care, which use microinjections of dermal fillers, and help with collagen production within the body.

The aging that we experience in our skin can be addressed with help from a skin care professional. Our clinic offers a unique, holistic approach to skin care. Dr. Imaan Joshi and her team will work with you to develop a unique, personalized approach to your skin care needs. Even though a treatment might be the latest hype, it might not be the best option for your particular needs. Our clinic provides you a customized approach to your skin care that, coupled with a good lifestyle and outlook on skin health, will help you reach the results that you seek.