With age brings wisdom, confidence, experience…and changing, maturing skin. To maintain a healthy, vibrant, timeless complexion, it’s important to know what to expect at every age, and how you can improve the skin’s appearance no matter what the change. To begin, we’re starting with a guide to skincare and cosmetic treatments for early aging skin. How you treat your skin throughout your 20’s and 30’s makes a significant difference in the long run, so implementing good practices early on is essential in combating the aging process. Here’s how to detect and deal with the early signs of aging and the top at-home regimen tips and non-invasive cosmetic treatments for your ever-evolving skin: Unfortunately, acne is not only relegated to your teen years. Adult acne can begin to develop in your 20’s and 30’s, affecting people who suffered from acne as teenagers and those who never saw a pimple in their life. This is also the time to start thinking about anti-aging.
If you’re not sure what to do, the most important aspect of anti-aging is prevention! It typically takes 8-10 years for sun damage to reach the surface of the skin. So, during these decades, you may begin to see the results of falling asleep on the beach one too many times when you were a a teenager, in the form of freckles, dark spots, and the beginnings of a few wrinkles. Fine lines can start to develop around the corners of your mouth, forehead and crow’s feet. This is why many women begin to get serious about anti-aging skincare regimens and cosmetic treatments, and start considering Botox and Dysport to prevent the formation of deep lines. 1. The 20’s and 30’s is the time to start a clinical skincare regimen for true results. Look for skincare products that contain peptides, retinol, and collagen-boosting ingredients. 2. Products high in antioxidants will nourish the skin and, when used with consistent with daily sunscreen of at least SPF 30, will prevent further sun damage.
3. To combat adult acne, I recommend SkinCeuticals Blemish + Age Defense, $86, a salicylic acne treatment for aging skin that not only prevents breakouts, but also evens your skin tone and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. For more persistent acne, a prescribed medication like Accutane may be more suitable. 4. Gentle laser treatments, like Clear + Brilliant, are great for young skin. These lasers address pigmentation and increasing skin porosity, so you get the most from your products. 5. Treatments like fractional resurfacing and Ulthera can effectively combat the early signs of skin sagging and laxity. Check out for the next installments in our Cosmetic Treatments At Every Age series, which covers your 40’s, 50’s and 60’s. We cover what to expect from skin and how to begin addressing aging with a more aggressive approach. We tried the Clear + Brilliant laser, they call it the baby Fraxel. Plus, here is everything you need to know aboutBotox.
Learn more about Dr. Julie Russak. Read client reviews, book appointments, and get expert advice. Only the best cosmetic doctors, skincare gurus, nutritionists, fitness and wellness professionals make it into our book.Q: I’m only in my 20s, why should I start thinking about skincare and anti-aging now? If you’re like most people, you probably think older age means more wrinkles; but in reality, it’s not that simple. Diet, sun exposure and lifestyle all directly impact how well or how poorly we age, meaning that it’s never too early to start taking care of your skin. While a plentiful supply of antioxidants in your 20s contributes to radiant, luminous skin and shiny hair, it’s still important to maintain a healthy lifestyle—one that includes getting enough sleep. This also means taking action to protect your skin from excess sun exposure, which results in rapid aging. I know what you’re thinking and don’t worry – combatting the signs of aging doesn’t mean you have to lose your summer glow.
Just skip the tanning beds, lather on non-chemical sunscreen before you hit the beach, and use self-tanner instead. When it comes to skin breakouts, these can happen at any time no matter your age, and stress and a pro-inflammatory diet heavy in sugary, starchy foods may be to blame. The good news is that you’re not completely helpless in preventing acne from occurring. Keep skin clean, follow the anti-inflammatory diet and use oil-free products. Sometimes, the solution really is that simple. Whether you’re in your 20s, 40s or somewhere in between, it’s never too early or too late to take care of your skin. Although you can’t stop the hands of time entirely, you can slow them down. Why not take steps now to pre:empt the visible signs of aging before they even start? Whether you’re in your 20s, 40s or somewhere in between, it’s never too early or too late to take care of your skin. Q: How does diet make a difference when it comes to maintaining youthful-looking skin?
It’s no secret I strongly believe part of the strategy behind beautiful, youthful skin is following the anti-inflammatory diet. That means avoiding foods like sugar, pasta, breads, pastries, baked goods and snack foods—all things that provoke a glycemic response in the body and cause a rapid rise in blood sugar. But making the conscious decision not to consume pro-inflammatory foods offers benefits that are more than just skin deep; it’s also the key to health, longevity, mental clarity and overall well-being. As the building block of life—maintaining our muscles, organs, bones, cartilage, skin and the antibodies that protect us from disease—protein should also be a crucial part of your diet. In fact, an ongoing lack of protein accelerates the aging process. Keep in mind though that not just any protein will do. Go for high-quality sources that contain all the essential amino acids such as fish, shellfish, poultry, eggs, and dairy products like yogurt, kefir and tofu.
Since protein cannot be stored in the body for future use, it’s crucial that we consume enough of it during each meal to give our cells the amino acids they need for full and timely repair. Eating three meals per day and two snacks evenly spaced between these will provide a steady flow of nutrients, fats, protein and carbohydrates for optimum performance—especially when combined with a dietary supplement such as Omega 3—helping you avoid both physical and mental fatigue. Q: Faced with the challenge of trying to maintain a balance between a work life and a social life, happy hour with co-workers don’t always leave time for the gym and catching up with friends over dinner can lead to late nights. What effects will this have on my skin over time? There are a number of lifestyle factors that accelerate the signs of aging, but three in particular stand out in this case—alcohol, a lack of sleep and a lack of exercise. Let’s take a deeper look at how each one impacts your skin.