Читать книгу Good Skin - Ingrid Wood - Страница 17

Skin changes as we age. There is little you can do about it, but if you take good care of yourself throughout your lifetime, you can reduce the visible effects of the ageing process.

With age, the elasticity and strength of the skin declines. Coupled with the pull of gravity, this results in sagging and wrinkles. Although some products claim to ‘restore’ youth, there is nothing one can do to stop this decline. One can, however, preserve what one has by following a good care routine and minimizing sun exposure. It is mostly the damage done to deeper levels that determines how our skin looks as we get older, and this is largely self-inflicted by years of overexposure to the sun. Everyone’s skin ages differently according to genetics, lifestyle choices, stress levels, exposure to things like ultraviolet light or harmful substances, and to a certain extent, just plain luck.

PRE-TEEN

For the first decade of a child’s life, its skin looks clear, smooth, plump, wrinkle- and blemish-free. The reason for this healthy appearance is that the epidermis works efficiently – it is translucent and well hydrated. The surface is smooth and unlined and light is reflected from a healthy, undamaged skin, hence the term the ‘bloom of youth’. At this age, there is usually little or no apparent sun damage, but it is the time when the damage that will surface later is being done. Now is the time to instil sun awareness in your children. They will thank you 20 years down the line.

TEEN – EARLY 20s

Hormonal changes can cause havoc with skin. They cause an increase in sebum production, which often leads to breakouts, acne and shiny, oily skin. The twenties are a kind of transitional period – by the time you enter them, the extreme hormone production has usually calmed down and your skin becomes normal (although some people suffer from spots well into their 30s). This is the time to establish a good skincare routine. Although the effects of the sun have not become visible, much of the harm will have already been done by the age of 18.

25 – 40

Towards the end of the twenties, the first signs of fine lines around the eyes and mouth usually appear as collagen and elastin start to break down in the skin. There’s a signific ant drop in skin hydration, and adult acne may also occur. Broken veins may appear as tiny red dots on the skin, and brown pigmentation marks and age spots can begin to show. Pores can enlarge and skin may become coarser due to sun damage, or the fact that the rate of loss of dead surface cells has started to slow down (which is why exfoliation is so important now).

INTO MENOPAUSE

If you looked after yourself in your younger years, you will see the benefits now. At this age natural ageing becomes more visible and deeper wrinkles, crow’s feet and frown lines become prominent. Skin loses its firmness as there is a significant decrease in dermal repair and cohesion between the skin’s layers. During menopause, the production of oestrogen drops dramatically, causing a breakdown in collagen, resulting in wrinkles and sagging. Skin also becomes more fragile and you may experience slow-healing cuts or bruises.

55 +

With decreased thickness of the dermis, decreased resilience of the skin and the loss of subcutaneous fat, sagging and jowl-like wrinkles become apparent. You may also notice an increase in fine facial hair. Skin can appear sallow with uneven colour and dark under-eye circles. If you were a sun worshipper in the past, discolouration will now become visible. You’ll notice the effects of gravity most strongly in your 70s – facial skin and neck start to appear ‘loose’. Hands, too, will show the passing of time and age spots are pronounced.