How To Reverse Photoageing

Your skin is one the most exposed and prominent organs of your body and a firm, healthy, glowing skin is a symbol of beauty and youth, while saggy, wrinkled skin is associated with ageing.

All of us want to have a beautiful and healthy skin as we all wish to look aesthetically pleasing. But are you trying to make this wish come true? If not, then your skin may soon age, even in your 30s. This type of ageing, called photoageing, occurs as a result of exposure to harmful sunrays. If you want to know how you can save your skin from ageing, read the section here.

People usually ignore the importance of sunscreen application and its associated risk of sun damage. As the harmful effect of sunrays is slow and occurs over time, people only notice it once the signs of ageing become prominent enough.

It’s never too late to start a sunblock routine, which will save you from any further damage. But the question is, what can you do about reversing the sun damage that has already happened?

There are various kinds of treatments available to reverse the signs of photoageing, which include wrinkles, sagging, age spots and pigmentation etc. Let’s have a look at what can be done.

First Of All, Start To Use Sunblock!

Now that the signs of sun damage have become visible on your skin, you know how sunrays can damage your skin without you even knowing about it. So what is the most important step that you should take straightaway? Start using a sunblock!

Yes! It is never too late. It will not only save your skin from further photoageing, but also from different kinds of skin cancers. The key is to choose an appropriate sunblock or sunscreen and then learn how to apply it to gain the maximum benefit. To find out how to choose the right sunblock for you, follow this link.

Antioxidants Are Good – So Add Some

Exposure to the sun causes the production of ROS (Reactive oxygen species) inside the skin. These are basically free radicals which react with collagen and breaks it down; this process is manifested by wrinkles and fine lines on the skin. You can protect your skin from the harmful effects of UV rays by incorporating a topical antioxidants in your skin care regime. The most commonly used topical antioxidant is Vitamin C, also known asl-ascorbic acid.

Ascorbic acid donates free electrons to the ROS hence, neutralise their harmful effect and keep collagen and other cellular components intact inside the skin. The most beneficial aspect of Vitamin C is that its oxidised form can be converted back to its original form inside the skin by an enzyme in the presence of glutathione (a powerful natural anti-oxidant, also in Peel To Reveal)

The ideal combination of Vitamin C is with Vitamin E. Ascorbic acid is hydrophilic (fat soluble) whereas vitamin E also known as tocopherol is lipophilic (water soluble), both of them strongly protect against the premature cell apoptosis and DNA damage of the skin cells. Vitamin E has spare electrons which it donates to the oxidised vitamin C molecules to activate them again. The addition of ferulic acid to a mixture of ascorbic acid and some tocopherol (vitamin E) can increase the efficacy of vitamin C up to 8 times.

Vitamin C is popularly used as a skin lightening and brightening agent. It reduces the activity of tyrosinase kinase enzyme which is required for melanin production; essentially, it stops the process of melanin production midway. Ascorbic acid is a helps cross-linking of collagen molecules. It also stimulates collagen gene expression. Vitamin c is a strong anti-inflammatory agent which inhibits activation of cytokines (inflammatory mediators in the body) and can prevent post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation by reducing the oxidative stress on the tissues after the injury. See full article on benefits of vitamin C

Retinoids Are Very Effective

Retinoids are a popular option for photo-damaged skin treatment. They were first launched as a drug to treat acne, but now they are used for anti-ageing purposes as well. This is because of their many benefits.

They can reduce pigmentation, slow down the breakdown of collagen and improve the elasticity of the skin. They also increase the dermal hyaluronic acid content and thicken the dermis layer, improving the overall appearance of the skin.

Wearing a sunblock is a must when you are using retinoids or your skin can become irritated. This sunblock use will prevent further damage as well.

Retinoids are usually given in a topical form and a pea-sized amount is applied to the skin every night. You will start noticing the difference in 3 months.

This drug is totally safe, especially when it is applied topically. However, pregnant women should not use it. If you are planning to conceive, don’t try it without consulting your doctor first.

You Can Use Peptides

Peptides are the chains of amino acids that form fragments of large proteins, such as collagen. They can be obtained from various sources and can have antioxidant properties.

Peptides can penetrate your skin and activate collagen synthesis, leading to a firm and smooth skin. They visibly decrease wrinkles. They are also a very safe product to be applied to your skin.

There are many products available with peptides that can be easily be bought from pharmacies, but make sure that you get one from a trusted brand.

Skin Peels Have Many Benefits

Skin peels are chemicals that are usually acidic in nature. When they are applied to the skin, they peel a very thin layer off. This leads to the appearance of new, fresh skin. Repeating this process many times can lead to a visible decrease in wrinkles, age spots and pigmentation.

Different chemical peels, like salicylic acid, TCA, lactic acid etc., are available in different concentrations. These are applied to the skin for a few minutes and then neutralised. It is advisable to use a lower concentration of chemical peels at home, as higher concentrations may lead to sunburn if the process is not performed under the supervision of a professional.

Using a sunblock and avoiding sun exposure is a must between peeling sessions as the sun can irritate your fresh skin. You will notice the difference after a few sessions.

Laser Is A New Technique

The use of lasers has recently become popular for various purposes. It is also used for anti-ageing purposes. There are different kinds of lasers that can do the work.

Laser treatments resurface your skin, leading to a decrease in the appearance of wrinkles and other signs of ageing that are associated with skin problems. They can also stimulate collagen production.

Laser treatment is also performed during many sessions. There are devices that you can buy and perform the procedure at home. You can also use the services of a dermatologist who will suggest the right kind of laser, according to your skin problems, and guide you through the sessions. However, this technique is costly.

Reversing the signs of ageing is not impossible these days, but prevention is always better than cure.