Antiaging Skin Care Tips

Most of us are lucky and were born whole. We contain all the proper organs (intestines, glands, veins, blood and so on), we have features and limbs and hair where they should be and our skin is unblemished. In fact we have everything intended for the perfect human being and it's all in good working order. But, as we grow older, the body becomes used and abused, and changes take place. Skin, in particular, goes through phases and is susceptible to various problems at these times. Even babies may suffer early from rashes, allergies and problems related to their skin type which continue through childhood.

Teens

Puberty causes a tremendous upheaval in the body, with hormonal activity affecting every gland and consequently the skin. Skin, which until now may have behaved beautifully, suddenly starts playing up and erupting into acne. This is the result of hormones stimulating the oil glands into over production of oil, which gets clogged in the pores. This is so prevalent among adolescents’ girls and boys that it is often dismissed as something they must just endure until it goes away. But, treatment is available, and if the course is followed properly, the skin condition will certainly improve and, depending on its severity, may disappear. Another problem connected with this hormonal activity is that the hair follicles all over the body are stimulated into growth and it sometimes appears in unwanted places above the Lipper lip and on the sides of the face, for instance. However, once the body has settled into its new pattern, this facial hair often falls out and doesn't return; if it is dark and very obvious it can be lightened with a special facial hair bleach, but more serious forms of removal should be left for several years.

Enlarged pores, sometimes a symptom of oily skin, sometimes resulting from acne, but caused by excess oil clogging and then stretching the pores, are also a sign of' adolescence. They don't disappear, so scrupulous cleansing to prevent their arrival is the answer. Another condition seen by some as a problem, by others as an attractive asset is freckles. These often go hand in hand with the pale translucent skin possessed by natural red heads and are actually cells containing extra quantities of melanin (a dark pigment stimulated by sunlight into turning brown) grouped together in the skin. They will increase in the sunshine, but often fade in the winter months and can only temporarily be removed. However, a good sun block will help to curtail their numbers.

Twenties

This is when your skin should look its best it has been through the upheaval of adolescence and is not yet on the road to decline, although it will show signs of ageing in the late twenties if care is not taken. In fact most problems that appear now are caused by lack of care in the teens. Neglect during those years, and sometimes the use of cosmetics designed for a more mature skin (borrowed from mother perhaps, or lent with the best intentions) can result in acne appearing now. Or it can be the result of going on the Pill.

If freckles or brown spots appear at this stage and seem to be the variety that don't fade in winter, they aren't natural and are probably caused by over exposure to the sun, which will also hasten the ageing process later on. These blemishes are removable by a dermatologist, but after treatment great care should be taken not to expose the skin to the sun.

Skin allergies usually become apparent in the twenties when women have started working in offices or factories or running their own homes and thus handle industrial equipment and office machinery or have contact with detergents, insecticides and so on. They often continue to use many different cosmetics and fragrances; they may travel more, experimenting with foreign foods. Any of these may cause an allergic reaction.The way to treat an allergy is to isolate it, then protect yourself as much as possible. This may involve a series of allergy tests to discover the cause.

Thirties

This is the time to guard against skin drying out and causing premature ageing. Change your skin care routine to one formulated for more mature skins and watch out for a variety of acne called dry skin acne. This is thought to be caused by a special kind of oil, containing quantities of fatty acids, irritating the pores. Dry skin acne takes the form of blackheads and whiteheads, mostly on the chin and jaw line. Women who have had dry skin all their lives will probably start noticing lines fine ones, but lines all the same and bays may appear under the eyes, removable only by cosmetic surgery, although, if caused by fluid from allergy or sinus problems, antihistamines can sometimes prevent the formation of these pouches.

Broken blood vessels, due to skin damage from pregnancy, excess alcohol, high blood pressure or a blow to the skin, may begin to show on the cheeks and around the nose as small red lines. These can usually be treated by a doctor.

Forties

The skin is beginning to lose its tone and strength it finds it difficult to support the pores, and they start becoming more visible and may become enlarged. Masks and astringents will help temporarily. Another variety of acne acne rosaceous often appears during the forties. Its exact cause is not known, although stress, alcohol, spicy foods and extremes of hot and cold are known to aggravate the condition. It has a flushed appearance with blackheads and small pustules and can be treated by a dermatologist. Psoriasis also, although it can occur at any age, is most likely to appear now, its round red patches flecked with silvery scales showing first on elbows and knees. It is very difficult to cure.

Fifties and Onwards

The skin must begin to show its age however well it's been looked after. It is no longer receiving sufficient support and elasticity from the protein fibers, and the fatty deposits beneath the skin are disappearing, leaving it loose and flabby. Lines deepen into wrinkles, the skin dries and the drying skin itself becomes a problem, sometimes with painful side effects like itching, a slowness to heal and a tendency to become infected. Little clusters of red lines called spider angiomata may appear, as may brown spots. Deterioration in skin color is often due to poor circulation and can be improved by massage and exercise. Most serious of all, this is the time when skin cancer usually appears. Of the four basic types, solar keratoses which manifests itself in rough red patches, is the mildest. It is most commonly found in people who have sunbathed too much and for too long, people involved in outdoor sports or who lead outdoor lives. It can be treated but if left too long can develop into the more serious squamous cell carcinoma, a thicker, rougher growth. Both these types usually show first on the face which is also usually the first area to be affected by a persistent sore that doesn't heal called basal cell carcinoma. All three types are treatable, but the last two may leave some scarring. The last type, and fortunately the least common, as it is by far the most serious, is malignant melanoma. The first sign is a deeply pigmented area on the skin coloured brown, black or even dark blue, which acts as a warning that there is a growth. A lump which changes color or size when exposed to the sun may also indicate this type of cancer and should be checked immediately. The treatment is to remove the growth and a large area of the skin which surrounds it.