Dermo-Aesthetics: What Are The Treatments For Skin Aging?
Dermoscosmetics is the part of Dermatology that is mainly responsible for healthy skin. The demand in dermocosmetics increases annually in parallel with the aging of the population. Skin aging is a continuous process throughout life, progressive and inevitable, in this case always take help from specialist Vie Aesthetics Harley Street. The causes of skin aging are mainly two:
- Chronological aging: the skin ages as a result of the passage of time.
- Exogenous aging: due to the impact of external agents such as ultraviolet radiation, exposure to chemical substances (nicotine, alcohol) and diet, among others.
Symptoms of skin aging
The symptoms of skin aging are several, among which are:
- Pigmentation disorders: Actinic lentigines are often the first lesions related to skin aging. These are brownish spots of variable sizes. They are located, above all, in coproral areas exposed to the sun, such as the face and the back of the hands. They are more common in light-skinned people. Another manifestation is the appearance of small white spots on body areas exposed to the sun, which are more evident when you are tanned.
- Dry Skin. It can be observed at any age, but in the elderly it is very common. The skin takes on a dull, dull appearance and the appearance of cracking, fissures, peeling and itching is common.
- Wrinkles, furrows and folds: Creases on the forehead and around the mouth are usually the first to appear, usually from the age of 30. They are conditioned by the mobility of the facial muscles. From the age of 40, more superficial creases appear around the eyes and on the neck. In elderly patients the skin appears thin, thin and transparent.
- Vascular dilations: Another manifestation of skin aging are vascular dilations (telangiectasias) that appear mainly on the face as a result of the effects of solar radiation and on the legs. With the progression of aging, purple spots may appear spontaneous or secondary to small bumps that are a consequence of increased skin fragility.
How to prevent skin aging
The effect of ultraviolet radiation is essential in the skin aging process. Photoprotection measures are the essential basis for the prevention of photoaging. This prevention should start in childhood and be adapted to the type of skin of each individual. Avoiding sunburn is crucial. Photoprotection measures include physical methods such as T-shirts, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses; as well as the use of photoprotectors in the form of creams, ointments or solutions.
Treatment of skin aging
Non-invasive treatments for skin aging include retinoic acid, alpha-hydroxy acids, hydroquinone and antioxidants (such as vitamin C). These treatments are based on the daily application, preferably at night, of these substances in creams or gels. They have a slow effect and good results are obtained in the improvement of fine wrinkles. Occasionally, they can cause irritation and/or redness, which can be minimized by applying low concentrations for the first few days, which should be increased progressively.
Invasive treatments include chemical peeling, mechanical dermabrasion, microdermabrasion, laser therapy, fillers, botulinum toxin and cosmetic surgery.
- Chemical peeling: consists of the application of a chemical substance that produces controlled damage in order to promote skin regeneration and correct age-related defects. It can be very superficial, superficial, medium or deep, depending on the chemical that is applied. It is useful for the treatment of fine wrinkles, superficial scars, photoaging and pigmentation alterations, among others.
- Microdermabrasion: it is a superficial physical exfoliation technique in which microcrystals are applied to the skin that allow a gradual superficial abrasion. It is a controlled procedure with which good results are obtained.
- Dermabrasion: it is a more invasive technique than those described above. Drills are used that rotate and remove the superficial layers of the skin. Generally, the use of anesthesia is necessary.
- Laser therapy: there are various types of lasers that can be used for the treatment and prevention of skin aging. It is the medical specialist who indicates which device should be used in each case. Like almost all other methods, it can be combined with other procedures.
- Filler substances: they are used to give volume and produce changes in the surface and texture of the injected anatomical location. There are several types of fillers. The choice of substance will depend on the anatomical site to be treated, the patient’s background, expectations and preferences.
- Botulinum toxin: Botulinum toxin type A is a neurotoxin that paralyzes muscles that are exposed to it. It consists of direct injection into the muscle. No local anesthesia is required and activities of daily living can be resumed immediately afterwards. The duration of beneficial effects ranges from three to six months.
- Cosmetic surgery: Rhytidectomies are plasties aimed at correcting folds or wrinkles. Blepharoplasty (or palpebral correction plasty) is one of the most used. Other techniques are liposuction and lifting.
There are multiple treatments for skin aging, but prevention measures are essential. Sometimes, to obtain optimal results, different techniques must be combined, always taking into account the expectations and needs of each patient.