DRY, WRINKLEY SKIN

Wrinkles, those darn creases and lines that make us look older, even though we refuse to admit that age is really taking its toll on our bodies. Wouldn’t you just love to get rid of them, make them vanish; bring your skin back to the smooth, sleek beauty it held during your youth? Did you ever ask yourself: do all of those anti-aging creams on the market really work? IBefore one can actually figure out if creams, ointments and treatments work, it would probably be better to figure out how we got this way. So, let’s start at the beginning.

As we age, no matter how old we try to convince our friends we are, our skin, the largest and most visible organ of the body begins to change. How many times have you tried to convince someone you were ten years younger than you really are? As we age, that darn old skin ages too; giving away our age, sometimes making us look older than we really are. With age, skin rends to become drier, more wrinkled, and spots and growths begin to appear. Collagen and elastin weaken causing the skin to look loose. Fat cells dissipate causing skin to look less smooth. Unless you want to move to the lunar surface to loose the gravitational pull which helps the loosened skin cells to sag, what can be done about these changes?

Unfortunately, at least during our youth, most of us loved to spend time in the sun, soaking up those rays. Wrinkles in your skin are in a large part, directly related to how much sun you have been exposed to in your lifetime. Of course, some wrinkling of the skin is hereditary, and some caused by smoking.

While sun damage cannot be reversed, you can stop further damage by wearing sunscreen, protective hats and clothing and avoiding the sun’s rays from 10 A.M. until 3:00 P.M. each day. Treatments for anti-aging are highly recommended by various pharmaceutical groups and cosmetic manufacturers; but what does the FDA say?

Claims have been made concerning retinoic acids reversing aging effects. According to the FDA, this “does not eliminate wrinkles, repair sun damaged skin, reverse aging, reverse photoaging, pr restore more youthful or younger skin.” The use of retinoic acid has been approved by the FDA because if used daily, over several months, retinoic acid will improve dermal collagen.

The FDA warns people against Alpha hydroxy acid usage, because the drug heightens the skins sensitivity to the sun. So what does one do?

Treat the skin as it is; a large, visible organ. Don’t forget, the older you become, the older your skin becomes. As one ages, skin becomes drier. Take care of your skin like you would your heart. Restrict exposure to the sun. Moisturize, especially in cold weather. Use a moisturizer immediately after bathing. Remember the older one gets, sometimes indicates an easier ability to slip and fall; if using a bath oil, do not use one that leaves the tub oily and may increase your risk of falling. Bathe less frequently in cold weather. I am not suggesting once a week, merely every other day. Some people may have allergic reactions to moisturizers, when trying something new, always request a sample; weather from a pharmacy, the company promoting the item or an Independent Cosmetic Representative. If you have taken these precautions and dry skin persists, consult your dermatologist to assure you are not suffering from any additional problems.

While there is yet a fountain of youth in a bottle, many items on the market can assist with the aging process by keeping the skins natural moisture level in tact. Reduce exposure to the sun’s harmful rays, stop smoking. (Opps, I’m a smoker.) Being an informed consumer, will help you avoid spending your hard earned money frivolously.