Dermatologist Dr. Marcy Street Helps You Fight the Aging Process

Jan. 5, 2010 - PRLog -- Fighting the Aging Process

No matter what your age, it is a good idea to stay out of the direct rays of the sun, as the sun is one of the single biggest causes of wrinkles. When you do go out into the sun, wear a wide brimmed hat to protect your face, and don’t forget the importance of sunscreen with an SPF rating of 15 or higher. Precaution should be taken all year long! The sun can wreak havoc 12 months out of the year.

What is aging skin?

Aging skin appears as wrinkles, brown and red discoloration (photodamage), laxity and loss of muscle tone. Also associated with the appearance of the aging face is the lengthening of the upper lip, loss of volume in the mid-cheek, the temple and the chin, and a down-turned angle of the lips at the corner of the mouth.

What does aging skin look like?

A few examples of sun-damaged skin versus non-sun-damaged skin are the arms and the chin area. If you look at the inside surface of your upper arm you will see a lighter toned skin where the “sun has rarely shone”. Compare this to the outside of the arm, and you can see the “staining” effect of the sun on the skin. Similarly, you can see these effects on your neck if you look in a mirror. Given enough sun exposure to the surrounding areas, there will be a subtle and even “v” outlined below your chin, where the skin has been shielded from the sun by your chin. The mottled pigmentation of the sides of the neck is missing here because of your chin “sunbrella”.

Are there different types of aging skin?

There are two types of aging of the skin; “true” aging due to chronological age, and “photo" aging, due to the toxic effects of cumulative sun exposure or other environmental toxins, such as smoking, pollution, and lack of circulating antioxidants (diet). The two types of aging manifest themselves in slightly different ways.

True aging results in a downward displacement of tissues due to the loss of skin resilience in counteracting the effects of gravity, resulting in sagging. There is also a loss of subcutaneous tissue (fat) in the central face, resulting in a hollowed look. There are “lines of expression” or literal creases in the skin from the constant use of certain facial expressions such as laugh lines (crow’s feet, nasolabial folds), frown lines (lip creases and lines) and worry lines (forehead lines). If you had a couch in the same place on your rug for 20 years, you would not expect the carpet to spring back if you took the couch away. The same is true when you crease your face in a certain expression thousands of times over a lifetime- eventually the line just stays there.

Finally, the surface of the skin tends to have a “sallow" appearance - that is, dry, with a slight yellow tinge which results from a slow down of the metabolic process, yielding skin that does not renew frequently and looks "sluggish".

Photoaging, caused by ultraviolet light exposure, tends to act more on the surface of the skin. There are “sun freckles” (also known as “liver spots” although they have nothing to do with the liver) or irregular pigmentation and dilated blood vessels (often referred to as “broken” blood vessels) that lead to an overall uneven tone. Fine textural lines scattered over the surface are partly due to the loss of integrity within the collagen. Finally, there is laxity from the loss of elastic fibers. Excessive sun damage can yield pre-cancerous or cancerous growths.

How can I treat aging skin?

There are many diverse treatments for aging changes of the face. Topical treatments consist of vitamin A derivatives, alpha hydroxy acids, vitamin C preparations, plant and botanical derivatives, antioxidants, growth factors and peptides. There are numerous types of chemical peels and microdermabrasion treatments. Laser surgery and radiofrequency devices can be used to correct “sun freckles”, dilated blood vessels and wrinkles. BOTOX Cosmetic®, collagen, hyaluronic acid and fat injections can help with certain lines of expression and loss of facial fullness. New non-invasive tightening devices have come to the forefront to "replace" face-lifts. More major surgical procedures include laser resurfacing, face-lifts, brow lifts, and blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery).

Why treat aging?

We all strive to stave off the loss of our physical and mental abilities as we age. And seeking out the best appearance that can be attained is a common treatment of many skin diseases, including acne and psoriasis, where it is well-documented that treatment improves one’s self-esteem and quality of life.

There are some within the field of dermatology who criticize the new interest in the treatment of aging as an exercise in greed and an escape from the rigors of scientific inquiry. These same people claim that due to the constraints of managed care, dermatologists are mainly looking to improve their bottom line and are therefore preoccupied with cosmetic procedures. This is far too simplistic. For one thing, the science of the senescence of cells and tissues is no less challenging than any other biological mechanism. For another, real people benefit in real ways.

Humankind will always struggle against their limitations, the principal one being their finite time on earth. Struggling against the progressive loss of youthful appearance seems natural as long as it is put into perspective and does not become the focus of one’s life. Perhaps through future research we can understand the biology of aging enough to move on to a new phase in medicine, one that some call the paradigm for medical science in the 21st century, when we focus more on wellness and prevention than on eradication of disease and abnormal physiology.

Anti-Aging Skin Treatment

Many topical treatments can keep skin moist and more youthful. The active ingredients can show a marked difference, if used as directed. There are hundreds of serums, vitamins supplements, and creams with ingredients such as retinol that claim to be age erasers. Lots of them do show improvement with extended use. But prescription and over the counter solutions may not offer enough.

Dermatologists offer many office procedures that can really help roll back the clock. While most of the procedures are not permanent, they do offer dramatic results. Work with your dermatologist to determine what procedures are best to take care of your particular skin issues. Some are specific to dealing with fine lines and wrinkles, while others are specific to brown or age spots, or deep lines around the mouth. Not all procedures are right for all skin types.

Prevention is Skin Deep

The damage doesn’t happen overnight. Smoking, sun damage, the loss of estrogen, and our genes all play an important role in how our skin looks as it ages. The everyday stressors of living can also have an impact on how our skin looks and feels as we get older. While procedures such as Botox can take years off your appearance, it is important to maintain ground by using products that continue to promote great looking skin, and keep in mind that there are some things we can do to prevent some of the harsh realities of the aging process.

Drinking lots of water keeps the skin hydrated. Exfoliation helps remove the flaky, dry skin that is a signature of aging. And don’t forget to use your moisturizer morning and night. Topical products that contain antioxidants and Vitamins A, C and E, can help protect the skin against free radicals and the negative effects of the sun.

These are all great preventative steps to keep aging at bay.  Prevention is important, but talk to your dermatologist to find out how they can help you diminish the appearance of aging too.

To find out more about Dr. Marcy Street and what Doctor's Approach Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center can do for you, visit us on the web at http://daderm.com.

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About Dr. Marcy Street and Doctor’s Approach Dermatology and Skin Cancer Center: Doctor’s Approach is a full-service medical and surgical dermatology clinic with a cosmetic medical spa. Our dermatology practice has been well established and respected for over 15 years, with patients visiting from all over the Midwest region. Our mission is to provide the best in cutting edge, comprehensive care and services in a relaxing and nurturing environment.