Facing fine lines: preventing the first signs of aging

Recently, you might have noticed that your skin is changing. As we age, skin becomes thinner, drier and loses its suppleness giving way to wrinkles.

Seeing a few fine lines or a wrinkle appearing here and there is a normal part of life. However we can't avoid them, we can help control or even prevent them.

Each person is different and their skin will react differently, however, the following scenario is true for almost everyone. In your twenties, very fine expression lines begin to appear around your eyes and lips, since skin in these areas experience the constant contractions caused by your facial expressions and eye-blinking. These fine lines become most apparent as you near your thirties. In your mid-forties, signs of ageing seem to deepen and that’s when wrinkles first appear. Around menopause, hormonal ageing caused by the loss of oestrogen is now another factor to be taken into consideration.

Although wrinkles are a testament to the passage of time, there are several factors that can hasten their appearance, such as the sun’s harmful rays, pollution, tobacco, stress, lack of sleep and an unbalanced diet. Staving off the appearance of lines, wrinkles and other signs of ageing is all about a healthy lifestyle and proper skin care. 

• Always apply a moisturizing cream formulated for your skin type with FPS 15 or higher. When you know you’ll be in the sun for long periods of time, apply the appropriate sunscreen over your moisturizer. 
   
• It’s never too early to start caring for the delicate skin around your eyes. Choose an anti-wrinkle product formulated for your skin type and designed for this very delicate area.
   
• When looking for a moisturizer, look for ingredients such as antioxidants, which are the skin’s best ally when fighting wrinkles. Antioxidants are found in vitamins A, C and E, as well as in trace elements such as zinc, and plants such as green tea and some species of algae.
   
• Also look for creams that contain alpha hydroxy acid, better known as AHA. They are naturally occurring in fruit sugars and sugar cane and help stimulate cellular renewal. You should also try products with Regu®-Age, a formula that contains rice and soy extracts that helps increase microcirculation.
   
• Apply moisturizing cream twice daily, morning and evening. Remember that your skin is most receptive to extra care during the night.
   
• Because skin tends to get used to a product’s active ingredients, switch moisturizer brands when the seasons change. You skin will react accordingly and continue to respond to the formula’s active ingredients.
   
• Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water every day. When your body is properly hydrated, your skin looks and feels better and has more elasticity.
   
• Stop smoking and… relax! Stress can creep up on you and leave its mark on your face.

The best advice we can offer is: Don’t worry about those fine lines and crow’s feet. Beauty is ageless and even if you are a few years older, you are just as remarkable and just as beautiful…with wisdom to boot!