As a therapist I am very aware that the main concern for most clients is to reverse the signs of aging. Whilst we can’t reverse time I am happy to say that by learning a few basics about the skin it is extremely possible to delay and minimize the effects of it!
The Effects of Aging can be characterized by sagging skin, jowls, thin and crepy texture, dropping eyelids, loss of tone and elasticity, dryness and wrinkles. Now I know they say that the trick is to grow old gracefully but lets face it…if we could minimize all of these signs we would probably be a whole lot happier.
The Reasons Why Skin Ages can be split in two – your genes and environmental factors.
Environmental factors can be completely avoided (see below), which is good news if you come to this article early on in life but not so good if you have already spent your teenage years sunbaking every summer, buringn the candles at both ends and eating fast food!
Genetic factors are the ones that are built in to your DNA, which is why they say if your mum looks fab chances are you will too! Without going tin to too much detial we can explain a few examples of what happens as we get older. Due to gravity, and an enzyme that builds up in older skin, collagen and elastin production slows and so you will notice a loss of tone and elasticity, sagging and wrinkles.The skin also looses its ability to shed skin as quickly and can take up to 6 weeks to do so. Your skin will feel and appear dryer and thinner. Thinner skin receieves less nutrients and looses the ability to remove waste products resulting in a build up of free radicals, which, as we know, are damaging and dulling to the skin.
But don’t let this information depress you – instead, fight back! Arm youself with this knowledge and utilise all the products that are available thanks to the wonderful research and development that goes on behind the closed doors of good quality cosmetic companies today!
Invest in a good serum that will help, tone and replenish hydration thereby minimizing wrinkles.
Use an AHA/BHA exfoliant which eats away dead skin cells, penetrating below the first layer of the skin to unblock the glue that holds dead skin cells together.
Protect your skin with a moisturiser that fights free radicals. And of course continue to avoid environmental ageing factors - plenty of sleep, regular exercise, reduced stress levels, dont smoke, drink alcohol in moderation, drink lots of water and don’t sunbake. You can also invest in some supplements. There are excellent choices available such as
Vitamin A – helps to fight free radicals
Vitamin C – helps boost the levels of collagen, helping to reduce wrinkle
Alpha Lipoic Acid – helps recyle the other wrinkle fighting supplements you are already taking and can prevent wrinkles from occuring.
Our winner hands down for Organic anti aging skin care (it rivals most mainstream brands to be honest!) is La Mav. Packed with a library of essential ingredients this is Austrlia’s first Organic Anti aging range. The products produce outstanding results and are certified by Australia’s largest Certification body the Organic Food Chain. Coming form a scientific background of research and development the founder of La Mav was propelled to create products that that provided the same results as conventional products but without the inclusion of any chemicals. The results are truely impressive.
If you know what you are looking for skin care is the best way to complement your healthy lifestyle and fight back against the aging process. Fab ingredients include
Shea Butter – cell renewal properties, nourishing
Rose Hip Oil - repairs, renews and rejuvenates wrinkles and dry skin
Avacado Oil – Excellent skin hyrator
Borage Oil – stimulating, nourishing, soothing and hydrating
Raspberry Oil – brightening, anti oxidant, sun care
Hempseed oil – a rich source of Omega 3
With all this information to hand and with the luck of living in a time where honest products are helping our skin (and the world) we should be a generations of Peter Pans – sans surgery of course!