Methods Against the Signs of Aging

Honestly, who doesn’t occasionally stare at themselves in the mirror to inspect their wrinkles? Why can’t we just be 20 years old again? Unfortunately, we can’t turn back the clock. But we can manipulate the effects of time a little.

With the help of the right anti-aging methods, we can leave our wrinkles and furrows behind. And lo and behold, suddenly your skin looks wonderfully fresh and youthful again. But which methods have proven to be most effective in the fight against aging, and how do they work? HAIR & SKIN explains.

Anti-Aging: What Does That Actually Mean?

The term anti-aging means as much as age prevention or age avoidance. It refers to all measures that actively delay the physical aging process. However, anti-aging is not only characterized by its physical effect. The psychological impact is just as significant. After all, those who feel young, fresh and alive have a much greater zest for life.

The concept of anti-aging is most prevalent in dermatology. Either with creams, serums, tinctures, peelings or pills – we try to stop or at least slow down the process of skin aging by all means. Occasionally, we even go one step further in anti-aging care: through muscle relaxants, hyaluronic acid or a facelift, we actively intervene in the formation of wrinkles.

Why Does Our Skin Get Old?

Did you know that our skin consists of a power quartet? Collagen, protein, hyaluron and elastin provide our complexion with freshness and vitality. Unfortunately, this power quartet loses its strength over the years. Little by little, our collagen, elastin, protein and hyaluron storage tanks empty out. And the emptier these deposits are, the less elastic our skin becomes. It looks flabbier.

Our fatty tissue is also involved in the aging process. When we are young, our skin is well padded with fatty tissue. This makes it look rounder, stronger and more elastic. With age, however, the amount of fatty tissue steadily decreases. And the less we have, the faster the development of wrinkles progresses.

Good to know: There are factors that promote premature skin aging. They are called free radicals. These are harmful environmental influences such as exhaust fumes, chemicals or UV radiation that cause both premature skin aging and skin irritation.

Good to know: Doctors distinguish between 4 stages of skin aging. May we introduce them to you in more detail?

Stage 1

From the age of 25, our skin’s blood supply gradually becomes worse. In turn, the poorer the blood circulation, the poorer the supply of nutrients and oxygen. But of all things, nutrients and oxygen are the key to lively cell renewal.

At the same time, the amount of moisture of the skin decreases from the age of 25. The consequence: our skin gradually dries out and becomes more brittle. And this is particularly noticeable around the eyes and mouth. The first veins appear.

Stage 2

10 years later, at the age of 35, the production of the sebaceous glands stops. They release less oil. The result: our skin feels less smooth and supple. It lacks moisture. At the same time, onwards from age 35, the skin is no longer able to bind as much moisture. The connective tissue weakens faster.

As a result, wrinkles and furrows in our skin slowly deepen. Especially around the eyes and mouth, they are now more visible – just like in the neck area.

Stage 3

From the age of 45, the blood supply to the skin is even slower – especially in women. Because as soon as the menopause begins, the blood supply decreases noticeably.

Just in time for the menopause, hormone levels drop significantly. At the same time, the skin gets thinner and becomes more sensitive. Many women complain of a sallow, weakened complexion during the menopause, and not without reason. The skin lacks freshness and vitality.

But not only for women, the years after 45 are also more visible in men’s skin. Especially on the neck and décolleté, wrinkles and furrows are now more visible.

Stage 4

From the age of 55 on, our skin’s oil production is only working on low power. And of course, it shows. Little by little, the skin looks paler and flabbier. The skin sinks and wrinkles appear.

But it is not only the decreasing oil production that is responsible for the changes in the skin’s appearance. Low moisture retention and sluggish cell renewal are also major contributors. It is the same with muscle strength. Muscle strength decreases noticeably after 55, which promotes rapid skin aging.

Blood vessels that run directly under the surface of the skin now become more visible – just like aging spots.

Individual Skin Aging: A Matter of Lifestyle and Genetics

“He looks so young and fresh. He has aged well, for sure.” How often do we hear comments like this about fit seniors?

These exact comments of praise prove that fitness and youthfulness in old age should not be taken for granted. On the contrary: a vital appearance is evidence of a conscious lifestyle. By now you should know that we can actively influence our aging process through our actions.

A healthy diet, adequate exercise in the fresh air, plenty of fluids, successful stress management and sufficient sleep have a positive effect on our aging process. Nicotine, alcohol, stress, lack of sleep and exercise as well as an unbalanced diet, on the other hand, have exactly the opposite effect. They often make us look quite old. For good reason, they have no place in the anti-aging programme.

Good to know: The aging process is also genetically predetermined. How quickly a person ages is in their genes. For some, the effects of time strike earlier, while others remain fit and agile into old age.

Which Anti-Aging Products Have Proven to be Successful?

Anti-aging is not always the same. Unfortunately, there are a lot of bad apples here, too. This makes customers even more skeptical when they stand in front of the full shelves and wonder which product they should let take a place in their bathroom.

An important guideline when choosing the product of your choice is, for example, the time of application. Would you have thought that night creams often have a stronger anti-aging effect than day creams? The reason: at night, our skin switches to a resting mode. In other words, it regenerates. And it is precisely in this regeneration mode that it is particularly absorbent for invigorating active ingredients.

Another good choice are high-quality care products that have been proven to stimulate the formation of new skin cells and the growth of fresh skin layers – for example collagen, retinol or hyaluron. They activate the regenerative powers of our skin.

Antioxidants such as vitamin C, vitamin E or selenium are just as popular among anti-aging products. They nestle against the skin like a protective shield and protect it from free radicals – whether it’s an anti-aging serum or an anti-aging night cream.

Which Anti-Aging Cream is The Right One For Me?

The essence of an anti-aging cream lies within its formula. It must suit your skin type. For example: If you have dry skin, it is worth investing in a hydrating anti-aging cream. This is the only way to provide enough moisture.

Does your skin get oily quickly? Then a day cream or night cream especially for oily skin types is suitable. Of course, it’s no different for a combination of skin types. Skincare specifically suited for your type of skin is your best bet.

On warm spring and summer days, it is advisable to use care products with a sun protection factor – ideally SPF 50 – to carefully protect the sensitive skin surface from aggressive UV rays to delay the natural aging process.

Some advice: Products with vitamin A (retinol) are absolutely indispensable in anti-aging skin care. This is completely justifiable: after all, lotions and serums containing this miracle ingredient have been proven to promote the formation of fresh skin cells and skin layers.

Our Insider Tip: Anti-Aging Care With Hyaluron

Have you ever heard of hyaluron? The body’s own active ingredient is a natural filling element of our skin. It skilfully supports and boosts it. This makes our skin look fresher and rosier.

Unfortunately, as we get older, we increasingly part ways with this youth-generating element. Year after year, we lose a little more hyaluron. No wonder our skin looks more and more tired, lifeless and saggy as we age. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Fortunately, we can easily replenish our depleted hyaluron storage. We only need high-quality care products with hyaluron – no matter whether day cream, serum or eye care.

The secret of anti-aging products with hyaluron: they bind large amounts of moisture and thus plump up the skin from the inside. Immediately, the skin appears visibly more lively and younger.

And the best thing is that our skin tolerates moisturizing with hyaluron very well. After all, it is a natural active ingredient that our body is very familiar with. This makes allergic reactions very rare.

Anti-Aging: What Else Can I Do?

We are very lucky: with the right skin care and a balanced lifestyle, we can resist the effects of time. Here are our best tips and tricks for effective anti-aging:

• Clean business: Cleanse your skin at least twice a day with lukewarm water and a mild cleansing lotion – preferably in the morning and evening.
• Quality comes at a price: Use high quality products – no matter if day cream or eye cream.
• The finishing touch: Once every two weeks it’s time for a peeling, but please use a gentle peeling. The fine abrasive particles gently scrape away the dead skin cells and make room for youthfully fresh, smooth skin.
• Hands off: Touch your face less often with your hands. Unfortunately, our hands are real germ and bacteria magnets.
• No Make-up days: Take a break from make-up now and then. Because concealer, powder, foundation & co. quickly clog the pores. So pimples, blackheads and wrinkles are often just a matter of time.
• Keeping make-up tools clean: Not only our hands, but also our make-up tools are a haven for dirt, germs and bacteria. They love to accumulate in brushes and sponges. Therefore, regular cleaning is essential. Wash the used items thoroughly with lukewarm water and let them air dry.
• Hydrate yourself: With 2 to 3 liters of liquid per day, you are on the right track.
• Try to eat healthy and balanced: Fresh fruit & vegetables, legumes, nuts, flaxseed and whole grains are great for your skin tone.
• Less is more: Enjoy nicotine and alcohol only moderately.
• It’s the small things: Protect yourself from harmful environmental influences such as UV radiation. Without headwear and sunscreen, don’t let the sun hit your skin in the first place.
• Stress is not a solution: Relax regularly with yoga, Pilates, meditation, walking or reading. Because the lower your stress level, the purer and more vibrant your skin tone.

No-Go’s in Skincare: How You’re Speeding up The Aging Process

What does our skin actually want? It’s hard to say, we often misinterpret its signs and give it exactly what it doesn’t want.

What our skin really doesn’t need is too much make-up. If we apply too much cosmetics almost every day, it will eventually react. The result: the pores expand. Why? The make-up residues collect in the pores and clog them. As a result, the oil glands can no longer work properly. And the slower they perform their tasks, the faster pimples, blackheads and wrinkles appear. Is that really worth it?

Forgetting to Remove Make-Up

If we forget to remove our make-up too often in the evening, we can soon forget about clean and smooth skin. Because even after a long, stressful day, the cosmetics are still not completely gone from our face. Some residual make-up is still there. And if we don’t wash it off carefully, it gets stuck in our pores.

Sunbathing Without Protection

The sun shines brightly. Of course we can’t resist. We work on our tan in a deckchair without further ado. Too bad we didn’t pack any sunscreen. But our skin will forgive us this  little sacrifice. Or so we think…Unfortunately, no, our skin is not that generous. It resents sunbathing without protection. The strong UV radiation presents it with great strains. Understandably, it punishes us later for our carelessness with the first wrinkles.

Not Using Eye Cream

Did you know? The first wrinkles usually appear around the eyes. The reason: the skin is particularly thin and sensitive here. But don’t worry: a few smiling wrinkles are nothing to be ashamed of. On the contrary: they make us look likable.

The situation is different with deep furrows. They quickly make you appear grumpy. Experienced dermatologists recommend eye cream as a preventive measure. From the mid-20s, when the skin slowly loses its elasticity, the creamy beauty aid is indispensable.

Some advice: An eye cream with vitamin C works miracles. It not only supplies the skin with fresh collagen, but also makes dark circles under the eyes disappear.

Speaking of vitamin C: This multi-talent also helps prevent pigmentation spots. It takes away the intensity of the dark spots gently and they fade into the background. Great! What else could we ask for?