Common Skin Concerns Part 2

Fine Lines / Wrinkles

Among the various factors that cause skin aging, is chronological aging, of which fine lines and wrinkles are a hallmark.  Starting in one's mid-twenties, fine lines begin appearing around the periphery of the eyes.  These lines become more pronounced until, in the following decades, they deepen to become wrinkles.

While fine lines and wrinkles are, associated with aging, they are actually secondary effects caused by changes that occur within the skin.  As we age, the skin's repair mechanisms begin to function less effectively.  This gives the skin an overall thinned appearance and reduces its ability to hold moisture, which  results in dryness.  These factors, together result in wrinkles.  As if that isn't bad enough, skin cells are not shed as easily as we age, nor are they renewed as vigorously as they once were.  This buildup of dead skin cells can give the skin a rough texture and accentuates the presence of wrinkles.  And, because collagen and elastin levels are diminished, the structure of the skin becomes compromise, further accentuating wrinkles and giving the skin a saggy appearance.

Although this short overview of the skin's aging process may paint a dismal picture, it really is a worse-case scenario.  If the skin fails to receive proper care as it ages, these challenges will only result in more pronounced lines and wrinkles.  Conversely, proper care will minimize the signs of aged skin.

Each year, consumers spend more than $1 BILLION on wrinkle creams in the hopes they'll eliminate any lines that are present on their face.  We want to instill in you a good dose of reality.  Most lines and wrinkles CANNOT be erased.  Rather, we can take care of the causes of wrinkles, including dryness, stress, and dead skin buildup, which will minimize their presence.

Beyond the chronological causes outlined above, fine lines and wrinkles are also caused by:

Exposure to  Cigarette Smoke

Cigarette smoke contains thousands of chemicals, some of which cause collagen and elastin to break down, resulting in sagging skin.  Additionally, nicotine causes blood vessels to constrict, which reduces the amount of oxygen and nutrients that can reach the skin.  Best bet, if you're a smoker, to quit.  If your around someone who smokes, avoid being with them when they are smoking, or avoid being in a smoking area to avoid that second hand smoke.

Excess Sun Exposure 

Those who have spent years worshiping the sun will find that the beauty of bronzed skin gives way to wrinkles and a leathery appearance as they age.  This is because sun exposure breaks down collagen and elastin, and damages the DNA of skin cells.

Stress

As we worry, our body produces cortisol, a hormone that helps the body to prepare for "fight or flight".  But while cortisol is beneficial in helping us prepare for danger, it inhibits the production of collagen.  It also increases with stress and lack of sleep, often associated with stress, and that increase will prevent weight loss (if this is one of your goals).  Controlling stress the best you can, avoiding it, not letting things bother you if possible.  But when it's something severe, uncontrollable, and unavoidable, then learning methods of relaxation, ways to deal with the stress will benefit you.

Myths

As stated, consumers put far too much hope into the beautifully packaged jars of "wrinkle cream" sold at drugstores and department stores, and many Direct Sales companies.  IN reality, skincare products are limited in what they can do to address fine lines and wrinkles, since they rarely reach far enough into the skin's layers to be effective.

The one caveat to this is the use of chemical exfoliants.  Through the daily use of an effective exfoliation product, the keratin layer of dead skin cells can be removed.  This minimizes the appearance of fine lines.

Solutions:

Key practices to improve fine lines and wrinkles include:

1. Utilize an effective, daily exfoliation product to prevent the keratin layer from thickening.  This practice will keep the dermis layer, the factory of the skin where collagen and elastin are produced, functioning optimally.
2. Avoid skin dryness.  Use of a high quality moisturizer and be sure to give your body proper nutrition.  Also be sure to take the appropriate steps to protect your skin from the elements (SPF 15)

While topical skincare products are limited in what they can do to address fine lines and wrinkles, a number of cosmetic procedures exist that can significantly reduce the number of wrinkles present on skin or eliminate them entirely.  These include:

• Laser resurfacing
• microdermabrasion
• chemical peel
• thermage
• fraxel
• fillers
• botox
• face lift 

 Prevention
While wrinkles caused by the natural aging process can't be prevented, those due to environmental forces certainly can.  For that reason, it's essential that sunscreen be used daily, year-round.

Hyperpigmentation 

The correct term for areas of darkened skin is hyperpigmentation, yet many still refer to it as "age spots" or "liver spots".  These nicknames are misleading, as hyperpigmentation is not a natural part of aging, nor is it associated in any way with the liver.  Rather, hyperpigmentation occurs when certain skin cells are encouraged to release an excess f melanin (skin pigment).  Reasons include:

Sun Exposure

This is the most common cause of hyperpigmentation.  Because of this, hyperpigmentation is often seen on the face, hands, chest as those are the areas most likely to experience excessive sun exposure.  Because sun damage is cumulative, hyperpigmentation worsens with age.  This is where the idea of "age spots" stems from.

Hormonal Changes

When the body undergoes extended periods of hormonal changes, such as pregnancy or as happens with the use of birth control pills, hyperpigmentation may result.  In the case of pregnancy, hyperpigmentation is called "chloasma" or is referred to by its nickname, "the mask of pregnancy".  This is because chloasma commonly appears on the face, around the eyes.  Following the end of pregnancy or the cessation of use of birth control pills, hyperpigmentation usually disappears, albeit slowly.

Inflammation

After the skin has suffered an inflammatory wound, a type of hyperpigmentation referred to as "post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation" is commonly left behind.  You may notice this type of hyperpigmentation after an acne lesion has cleared, following healing of a burn, or even after some cosmetic procedures, including chemical peels, laser resurfacing or microdermabrasion. 

Medical Conditions

Certain medical conditions increase the potential for hyperpigmentation.  Among these are celiac disease and Addison's disease.  If you suffer from a medical condition and are noticing areas of hyperpigmentation, it's important to bring the symptom to your physician's attention.

Myths

Areas of hyperpigmentation are often mistaken as a sign of skin cancer.  Actually, the two are unrelated but certainly can coexist.  Hyperpigmentation by itself may not be harmful to one's overall well-being.  Rather, these areas may be simply an aesthetic concern.

Solutions

Hyperpigmentation can often be addressed via the use of a topical cream that includes skin-lightening agents, such as hydroquinone, kojic acid, and aselaic acid.

To keep hyperpigmentation under control, the best option is to utilize an effective daily exfoliant.  This removes the keratin layer of dead skin cells and effectively reduces the potential for excess pigmentation.  Cosmetic procedures may be utilized for areas of significant hyperpigmentation.  However, it is important to note that these treatments may also cause the issue.  Of course, that symptom will diminish or disappear over time, but it is still a side effect you should discuss with the licensed expert conducting the procedure.

Cosmetic procedures for hyperpigmentation include:

• Intensed Pulse Light (IPL) therapy
• Fraxel
• Chemical peel conducted with a bleaching agent
• Microdermabrasion
• Dermabrasion
• Laser resurfacing

Rough Skin Texture

Rough skin texture most often occurs as the skin ages and cellular turnover, as well as the rate at which collagen and elastin are produced, slows down.  The condition can also however, be due to a build up of dead skin cells and skin dryness

Changes in skin texture may also be attributed to various medical conditions.  For example, it is a symptom of skin disorders like rosacea, psoriasis, and eczema. 

Solutions:

The best method for alleviating rough skin texture is to begin exfoliating the skin daily with an effective formulation.  This method will remove the keratin layer and encourage the production of collagen and elastin.

Other solutions for rough skin texture include:

Implement a skincare regimen that satisfies the skin's basic needs

This regimen must include the use of moisturizer with the proper concentration of humectants.

Consider this skincare line

No water as filler (used because it's inexpensive, not beneficial), rather they use an organic, medical grade aloe vera as their base in all products.  This high quality aloe vera is the same used in burn centers and skin graphs to "heal the skin healthy". 

http://my.treskinrx.com/AmazingAloe
Watch for Part 3, more Common Skin Concerns