No matter your age, your skin needs love, nurturing and care. In order to fend off aging for as long as possible, it’s crucial to start caring for your skin as early as you can. At each point in life Dr. Melamed recommends following the 4 Commandments of Skincare:
- Cleans your skin twice a day: use an appropriate AHA, BHA, or gentle cleanser.
- Exfoliate your skin in evening: options include various retinoic acids, manual exfoliation, or mechanical exfoliate. The method and frequency will depend on your age and skin concerns.
- Moisturize your skin twice a day: use a non-emollient moisturizer to keep your skin hydrated. This is a great opportunity to include special vitamins, antioxidants, and compounds to manage excess pigmentation. Dr. Melamed can create custom compounds that meet your specific needs.
- Protect your skin every morning: use a minimum SPF 30 to protect from UVA and UVB radiation. Make sure to reapply sunscreen as the effectiveness will diminish after 2 hours of sun exposure.
Skin care does not have to include invasive procedures or expensive creams– in fact, each decade will require a slightly different approach.
In your 20’s…
Whilst your skin is plump and full of collagen, it’s time to start preserving it. One of the most common causes of aging and sagging is sun damage – so be sure to protect yourself!
- Always cleanse thoroughly and remove make up before bed. Try not to wear excessive or heavy make-up and be gentle on your skin when you remove it.
- You’re never too young to moisturize. Creams containing anti-aging ingredients are a great deterrent, but be sure to moisturize daily in some way.
- Use an SPF wherever possible – in your moisturizer and foundation. Stay out of the sun if you can.
- If you’re partying, be sure to drink lots of water and treat your skin to a hydrating face mask once or twice a week.
In your 30’s…
As smaller lines, discoloration and wrinkles start to set in, you might want to think about slightly thicker and stronger treatments or creams.
- Add serums into your routine. For an extra boost, choose ones which contain vitamin C or Retinol.
- Look into low level acids like hyaluronic acid and lactic acid. These can be found in or added to your daily moisturizer.
- Cleanse morning and night. Try oily or creamy cleansers and try not to drag on the skin, especially around the eye area.
- Moisturize vigilantly and stay out of the sun. Avoid things that will dehydrate the skin, such as excessive alcohol and coffee.
In your 40’s…
Years of sun exposure, make-up and pollution may start to show itself in your skin. Targeted treatments may produce more effective results at this stage.
- Eye creams with peptides and anti-aging ingredients can be used at night. Wear sunglasses when outside to prevent squinting.
- Differentiate between day and night skincare. Use serums, oils and peptides at night. Exfoliate, cleanse and lightly moisturize during the day.
Medical treatments such as TCA peels, microdermabrasion and collagen stimulators can all deliver long-lasting results through non-invasive procedures.
In your 50’s…
Skin becomes drier and the loss of elasticity causes deeper wrinkles. These lines may be most evident around the mouth, eyes and neck. Lower oestrogen levels can cause skin dehydration from the menopause, onwards.
- Use thick moisturizers with anti-aging ingredients. Invest in a night cream and day cream combination that contain peptides, stem cells and vitamin C.
- Serums containing retinoids will penetrate deeper wrinkles. Medical strength retinoids can be obtained from a doctor.
- Peels, exfoliation treatments and microdermabrasion can improve the appearance of fine lines.
- For more permanent/long lasting results, injectables such as Botox, Juvederm and collagen-like products can vastly improve the appearance of the skin and roll back the years.
If you have any questions about our various anti-aging treatments, or to schedule a consultation – please schedule an Online Appointment or call toll free 1-88-88-West LA (310-473-1734).