Healthy Body, Glowing Complexion: Expert Advice
Do Lasers, Drugs and Lifts Help Wrinkles, Aging, Sun Damage?
Jan 8, 2009
Clichés exist for a reason, and real beauty does come from within, but today’s woman, and man, can enhance and augment what nature has given – beautiful skin isn’t out of reach. It’s like sleight-of-hand, boosted by healthy habits, Zen-like serenity and help from skincare practitioners and aestheticians.
The Health Side of Beautiful Skin
The first path to skin enlightenment, say experts, is a firm foundation, not from a tube, but built of good habits. It’s no joke that smoking and overindulgence wreak havoc, says Erin Boh, MD, PhD heading up the dermatology department at Tulane University Health Sciences Center in a Suite101 interview.
“Before I ever do any type of skin procedure, from the simplest to the most complicated, we talk about basic skin care. It’s all common sense,” she advises.
When lifestyle promotes good skin health, there’s no reason not to preserve one’s complexion, restore youthful appearances and maintain a lovely glow, Dr. Boh says. She recommends a retinoid preparation each evening – a therapeutic regimen with documented results conquering wrinkled skin and reversing sun damage.
Vasu Nargundkar , internationally known expert in Ayurveda, ancient holistic healing art of India, advises matching skin’s health to the rhythm of the seasons. Deeply nourish skin in winter. Spring is for detox and summer demands protection. Throw out preparations with harsh chemicals. Organic and natural compounds are his favorite. Make-up or skin preparations last only six months. Dipping fingers in and out promotes bacterial growth.
Estheticians Worldwide Concur
- Minimize sun exposure and use sunblock.
- Keep well hydrated.
- Find a good vitamin supplement.
- Get beauty sleep.
- Safeguard health.
About Aging and Skin Health
Marcia Cross is a grandmother on Desperate Housewives. A poster child for flawless, refined skin – she pulls off the grandmother role, proving aging doesn’t have to spell disaster. Genetics plays a huge part in skin type, but today’s women’s arsenal rivals anything George Lucas could dream up to protect Star Wars women.
The science: As we get older, skin thins, loses pigment and fat, looks less plump and lush. Early on, in the 20s, lines form, brows furrow, cheeks sag. Bones and veins are more apparent. Injuries heal more slowly. Dryness creeps in. Smokers or drinkers age sooner than those who don’t. Quitting smoking, studies show, allows skin to repair itself overtime.
The American Academy of Dermatology and the FDA both study products to enhance or repair skin and both Web sites say some, not all, actually work. Studies prove CO2 and YAG laser treatments remove wrinkles. Retinoids (RetinA), tretinoin creams and some vitamin A treatments have good reputations, and the effectiveness of alphahydroxy acids is becoming clearer.
Not all treatments heal skin or “reverse” aging, but some refine appearances and add a prettier external glow. Good quality makeup, applied well, say aestheticians, is a terrific pièce de résistance. Those who choose to have chemical or mechanical skin treatments are advised to proceed with caution.
Medical consultation is essential for:
- Any injectable treatment, including Botox, collagen and other fillers.
- Anything invasive – lifts, tucks, fills.
- Evaluations of any growth or abnormality that changes appearance, size or color.
- Laser treatments.
- Any chronic or acute condition.
- Any strong reaction to treatments or cosmetics.
Women can age gracefully, experts agree. The process begins with good health and nutrition, but can certainly be enhanced safely with procedures and treatments, as long as due care is taken to find the right expert and keep the doctor on the team.
