Help! My face is aging prematurely. What should I do?
First of all, we should start by accepting that aging is a natural process and every year is a gift. However, every year you may spot new changes in your face and body, which may not be so welcome.
Have you noticed any of these?
- Wrinkles are deepening
- Dark spots, increased pigmentation
- Scars or dark spots heal more slowly
- Saggy skin, if you press your finger on it, it doesn’t bounce back.
- When you touch your face, it feels rough and there are blackheads and clogged pores all over it
- Makeup doesn’t stay on well. The foundation on your face slides off
- You woke up with wrinkles on your face and it took several hours for them to fade
- Insomnia or restless sleep, often waking up during the night
- No energy, sluggish brain, poor memory, etc.
These problems can all cause you to look older than your age, and there are a number of factors behind them. Let’s take a look at three main causes so you can judge which group you fall into:
Type 1: Aging from within, premature aging
Most of these factors come from genetics, such as the size of your pores, the smoothness of your skin, your skin tone, prematurely gray hair, and the amount of oil your skin produces on your face. Sometimes, even if you inject fillers and Botox regularly, they may not help much.
Type 2: Aging due to the environment. It is inevitable but controllable
The main causes of this type of aging are excessive sun exposure, pollution, dust, smoke, smoking, poor nutrition, alcohol consumption and stress, which will produce signs of aging all over the skin, such as redness, dryness, thinning of the skin, wrinkles, fine lines and excessive pigmentation.
Type 3: Aging due to hormones, also known as menopause
Along with a change in your skincare routine, you will also need to take a look at exercise, food and trying to control your feelings. This type of aging is related to changes in 2 types of hormones; the female and male hormones. When the levels of estrogen (female hormone) decrease leading up to and during menopause, at the same time, your male hormone levels stay the same. This can cause oil production in the skin to increase, resulting in spots, as well as the added bonus of feeling irritable, with dry skin all over the face and body.
Some men also go through an equivalent called andropause, which occurs when testosterone levels (male hormones) decrease. Signs that you have entered this phase include a flattening chest (this will be more noticeable if you are overweight), abnormal hair growing in areas where it should not be such as ears or in excessive quantities on the eyebrows, and thinning hair on the head.
Simple ways to cope
The first thing is to look at your skincare. Complete every step of your routine, both in the morning and in the evening. You should use a cleanser, toner, eye serum, facial serum, moisturizer and sunscreen, and avoid the sun in the evening.
Another important step is to exfoliate your skin and use a facial mask. Scrubbing or exfoliating your skin once a week stimulates your skin to repair itself and create new skin cells. It is the same principle as when you go for laser facial treatment because the body wants to repair itself when it is irritated or wounded.
As for the face mask, it is important for adding nutrients into the skin cells and should be used every week. Facial massages are also an important part of taking care of aging skin. Before booking a service, get a bespoke consultation and skin analysis so your skin receives the correct nutrients and so you know which products are used in the treatment and how concentrated they are.
All of the steps above should be combined with exercise, nutrition, meditation, and most importantly, drinking water. Let me leave you with a thought before we part ways.
Believe it or not, making time for self-care regularly is a long-term investment that will yield the most worthwhile returns.
Fight aging with a Signature Facial Treatment from Munique Club Spa.
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References The Water Secret by Dr. Howard Murad, a dermatologist.