One fact we have come to agree with is that as time goes, we all age and as we grow older our skin gradually sag. While this fact is inevitable, it does not mean we can’t do anything to improve the elasticity of our skin as it matures. Visiting our dermatologist or plastic surgeon will certainly help but if you’re not ready for that yet, i’m sure you will be glad to hear that there brands out there that have touted products to make us firmer, younger and bouncier for years.
The only reservation we all have is that which of these brands actually give the result they claim? and what ingredients are we to look out for in order to keep our decolletages, faces and necks bouncier and firmer?
Two leading skin-care experts, dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engelman and plastic surgeon Dr. Adam Kolker, taught us about when and why our skin begins to sag, as well as the products and ingredients we should be embrace in other to delay the signs of ageing.
SKIN FIRMING 101
We learnt that, for us to understand why our skin loses its elasticity and firmness, we need to first learn and understand what keeps it in a youthful state in the first place. The skin keeps its bouncy state with two major components : Collagen and Elastin. These are two proteins that keeps the skin firmness and elasticity, they are produced at a plentiful rate when we’re young but decreases as we get holder. Collagen binds the tissues together to make up the building blocks of skin while Elastin allows the tissues to stretch and move while maintaining their original state. These are the major components of skin youthful and plump appearance.
CAUSES OF AGEING
In as much as our body produces plentiful of collagen and elastin while young, both Dr. Engelman and Dr. Kolker said environmental factors and genetics do play a role in how long your skin can remain firm and youthful-looking. Environmental factors like smoking, sun exposure, nutrition, hormonal changes, weight gain, and stress can all cause your skin to age faster, meaning sagging might begin earlier and more aggressively. If keeping your youthfulness is important to you, stop smoking, break a sweat, and slather on some sunscreen.
TREATMENT & PREVENTION
With all been said and done, it’s now time for some good news. The good news is that, skin sagging can be prevented and delayed, first and foremost, start with sunscreen says Dr. Kolker, “protection from UVA and UVB radiation is the single most effective means by which to preserve and promote youthful skin.” Not only will your skin stay firmer longer, but minimising sun damage means fewer dark spots, fine lines, and wrinkles.
Moreso, we should also look out for products and brands that trigger collagen production and cell turnover. Retinoic acid, is a form of vitamin A that’s always recommended by skin-care professionals due to loss of Vitamin A as we mature. So, using Vitamin A topically will increase skin cell turnover, help build collagen and re-hydrate the skin. It also functions like an antioxidant that can interrupt the free-radical damage process that causes wrinkling and other signs of ageing.
Now for us who worry about if a product will do what it says, especially in products that claims to lift and firm, note, that unless they contain some of Vitamin A, it’s unlikely that you’ll see any tangible result.
“Products that adequately hydrate the skin, like those containing hyaluronic acid, will give the appearance of firmness or fullness,” explains Dr. Kolker, “however, claims that they actually lift the skin fall in the category of marketing ploys.”
Here are some products you try to delay signs of ageing in your skin:
Marie Veronique Gentle Retinol Night Serum, $110
Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic + Retinol Wrinkle Recovery Peel, $88
