What Causes Ageing Skin and How to Treat It?

What is Ageing Skin?

As you grow older, your skin ages as well, making ageing of the skin an unpreventable and natural phenomenon. Skin ageing comes with the formation of wrinkles, dry skin, spots, and decreased elasticity. However, premature ageing of the skin, mostly due to environmental and lifestyle factors, is preventable. Premature skin ageing refers to the above-mentioned effects of aging happening earlier than it is supposed to. This article will dive into the causes for premature ageing of the skin, how you can prevent it from worsening and anti-ageing treatments.

Causes of Premature Ageing

Sun Damage

Exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays is one of the primary causes of ageing skin. This is because UV light causes collagen and elastin to deteriorate, which strips away your skin’s youthful bounce and glow. To protect your skin from sun damage, it’s important to wear sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30, wear protective clothing, and avoid prolonged exposure to the sun. In addition to wearing sunscreen on the face daily, it is important to include wearing an appropriate amount of sunscreen on the neck and hands as well, to prevent wrinkles in these areas.

Lack of sleep

Not getting enough sleep can also contribute to ageing skin. Without enough rest, our bodies tend to produce more cortisol, a stress hormone that breaks down collagen and elastin, two important proteins that keep the skin looking youthful and firm. In addition, continuously rubbing the eyes due to lack of sleep (or other reasons) can increase the wrinkles, dark circles and inflammation of the eyes, increasing the rate of premature ageing.

Stress

Chronic stress can also take a toll on the skin. When we are continuously stressed, our bodies produce more cortisol, which can lead to inflammation and damage to the skin. This can result in a variety of skin problems, including wrinkles, acne, and other blemishes.

Diet

The different types of food we eat can also have an impact on the health of our skin. A diet that’s high in sugar and processed foods can lead to inflammation and damage to the skin, while a diet that’s rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals can help to protect the skin and keep it looking healthy and youthful.

Smoking

Smoking is another common cause of ageing skin. Cigarette smoke contains a variety of toxins that can damage the skin, including nicotine, which constricts blood vessels and reduces blood flow to the skin. Without sufficient oxygen being delivered to areas of the skin, ageing of the skin can be quickened. Over time, this can lead to a loss of elasticity and the appearance of wrinkles and other signs of ageing.

Regular consumption of alcohol

Lastly, excessive alcohol consumption can also contribute to ageing skin. Alcohol dehydrates the body, which can lead to dry, flaky skin. It can also lead to inflammation and damage to the skin, which can accelerate the ageing process.

Preventing Premature Skin Ageing

Wearing sunscreen daily

As mentioned above, UV rays are one of the most harmful environmental factors that cause premature ageing of the skin. Wearing sunscreen of at least SPF 30 daily and reapplying it every 2 hours, whether you intend to bask in the sunlight at the beach, or simply go to work, is of utmost importance.  In addition, sunscreen should be applied to all skin that is exposed to sunlight, with the most important being the face, neck and hands.

Add Retinol into your skincare routine

If you are concerned about premature ageing of the skin, it might be a good idea to introduce retinol into your skincare routine. Retinol has been shown to reduce wrinkles when applied daily due to its ability to stimulate the production of collagen and new blood vessels on the skin. This allows for the skin to look more firm and keep its youthful glow. However, it is important to consider that your skin needs to get used to retinol before you can use it daily. For instance, it is recommended that you introduce retinol onto the skin every other day for at least a week, before you start using it daily.

Anti-ageing Treatments

Anti-ageing aesthetic treatments are non-surgical procedures that aim to reduce the appearance of ageing and improve the overall appearance of the skin, according to your aesthetic goals. These treatments use various techniques and technologies to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, two important proteins that give the skin its firmness and elasticity. Some common anti-ageing aesthetic treatments include dermabrasion, fractional laser treatments, microneedling and Venus Viva.

Dermabrasion

This treatment makes uses of a special rotating tool that removes the outer layers of the skin and mostly targets wrinkles and fine lines. Dermabrasion is conducted under local anaesthesia and has minimal downtime, allowing you to resume your regular daily activities after the treatment.

Fractional Laser Treatment

Fractional laser treatments use a laser to lightly damage deep layers of the skin to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin. This treatment is typically used to treat fine lines and wrinkles, as well as age spots, acne scars, and other skin imperfections. The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia and involves minimal downtime.

Microneedling

Microneedling is a procedure that involves the use of a small device with tiny needles to create micro-injuries in the skin. Similar to fractional laser treatments, this stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, which helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of ageing. The procedure is typically performed under local anaesthesia and involves minimal downtime.

Venus Viva

This new and improved fractional skin resurfacing treatment is a substitute for both microneedling and fractional laser treatments, making it one of the most popular all-rounded treatments for anti-ageing. Not only is the treatment non-surgical, it also requires zero downtime, meaning that you can resume your daily activities immediately after the treatment. Venus Viva is able to improve the appearances of acne, stretch marks, textured skin, wrinkles, pigmentation etc. In addition, it is also customisable to your skin requirements and aesthetic goals.