How Does Our Skin Age?

When we think about our skin ageing, it’s important to recognise that although it is a natural process to be embraced – there are many things we can do to either speed up or reverse the changes happening to our epidermis. Ageing is an inevitable process, but what can I do, here at DermaGuru, to help you feel and look your best all the way through?

– Accelerating Ageing:

Accelerating Ageing is the process of increasing the rate at which your skin ages, typically done by exposure to things such as: sun damage, pollutants, alcohol, smoking, external aggressors and free radicals.

This exposure to damaging factors can destroy the DNA of your cell membrane, preventing your skin from recovering and regenerating as it naturally would and in turn speeding up the process of ageing skin.

Sun damage is the most common form of Accelerated Ageing I see here at DermaGuru. Everybody enjoys going out in the sun, even me, but it’s crucial to remember that even on cloudy days we should be wearing SPF 50. This is because ultraviolet rays from the sun still penetrate through clouds on the days where we think it’s safe to go out without SPF. It’s these rays emitted by the sun that cause the DNA damage mentioned above.

What is the best form of Anti-Ageing? Answer: SPF 50.

Yes it’s true, the most effective and cost-friendly form of anti-ageing is SPF 50. The best method is always protect and prevent when it comes to accelerated ageing.

Although the best method is always prevention, it’s never too late to start reversing any unwanted signs of ageing. Here at DermaGuru, there are a number of treatments I can provide to nurture and protect the skin from these aggressors, to help your skin continue looking and feeling it’s best.

– Chronological Ageing:

Chronological Ageing is the the outer skin layer (epidermis) thinning, even though the number of cell layers remains unchanged. Tell tell signs are loss of bone density and the depletion of fat pads under the skin. It’s this loss that causes the sallow lack of elasticity that is most commonly associated with ageing skin.

The number of pigment-containing cells (melanocytes) decreases. The remaining melanocytes increase in size. Ageing skin looks more translucent/clear. Pigmented spots including age spots or “liver spots” may appear in sun-exposed areas. The medical term for these areas is lentigos.

Changes in the connective tissue reduce the skin’s strength and elasticity. This is known as elastosis. It is more noticeable in sun-exposed areas (solar elastosis). Elastosis produces the sun-aged appearance common to farmers, builders, and others who spend a large amount of time outdoors.

The blood vessels of the dermis become more fragile. This leads to bruising, bleeding under the skin (often called senile purpura), cherry angiomas, and similar conditions.

Sebaceous glands produce less oil as you age. Men experience a minimal decrease, most often after the age of 80. Women gradually produce less oil beginning after menopause. This can make it harder to keep the skin moist, resulting in dryness and itchiness.

It’s important to note that men and women age differently: most approaches to treatments and products are similar but they do differ.

Treatments for Ageing Skin:

– Advanced Skin Resurfacing:

Active and effective skin resurfacing solutions for the treatment of typical signs of ageing. Such as: photo-ageing, pigment changes, dull sallow appearance, superficial and medium expression lines. The pHformula A.G.E. solutions were specifically formulated as advanced anti-ageing skin resurfacing treatments to target these needs.

Different protocols can be combined in a prescription program. The strength and depth of the products are controlled by the physician, based on application technique and the number of layers applied during the skin resurfacing procedure.

– Micro-Needling Collagen Induction Therapy:

By using small needles to break the skin’s surface gently, micro-needling encourages your skin to regenerate, and the result is new, more youthful-looking skin. Alongside, this we use a transdermal solution bespoke to your needs containing skin essential nutrients, vitamins and actives to treat the lower layers of your skin effectively. It can treat a range of skin problems from wrinkles and fine lines to enlarged pores and acne or chickenpox scars. It can also help repair sun damage to the face, pigmentation and even help with cellulite and stretch marks.

– Bio-Rejuvenation:

Mesotherapy involves a series of mini-injections into the superficial dermis of a rich cocktail of vitamins, amino acids and trace elements combined with very fine hyaluronic acid that revitalises and stimulates the skin’s natural processes. The skin regains its quality and radiance and is brighter, suppler, firmer…. This is a revitalising treatment that is beneficial at any age from 30, both in the prevention and treatment of the signs of ageing.

– Advanced Revitalisation Facial:

This treatment uses biometric peptides, which disrupts the major causes of photo and Chrono-Ageing. It’s high concentration of nourishing and bio-stimulating ingredients significantly improves the skin condition and appearance. Improves skin metabolism and micro-circulation, making the face contour more defined and stimulates collagen production.

These ingredients intensively nourish the skin and provide vital building blocks for the reproduction and functioning of all skin cells, promoting epidermal restoration, activating fibroblasts, and increasing pro-collagen synthesis.

Products for Ageing Skin:

– The A.G.E. recovery (pHformula)

Specifically formulated to work in synergy with the pHformula skin resurfacing in cabin treatments and is made up of a unique combination of active ingredients that work synergistically to assist to speed up skin recovery, while maintaining the overall health of the skin, and helping to prevent future skin damage.

– The VITA A cream (pHformula)

contains pure retinol and should be used as an advanced treatment product for ageing skin. Retinol helps to stimulate cell regeneration to diminish the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots from both photo- and intrinsic ageing. Retinol is also effective in correcting blemishes and blotchiness often associated with problematic skin. This 24-hour moisturising complex is comprised of a synergistic blend of natural ingredients to assist in prolonged hydration and protection of the skin.

– Vitamin C Cream (pHformula)

Contains Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate at prescription strength, which result in superior anti-ageing benefits, ideal for daily and year-long application. The 24-hour moisturising complex in the formula comprised of a synergistic blend of natural moisturising factors to assist in pro-longed hydration and protection of the skin.

– UV PROTECT SPF 50+ (pHformula)

An essential skin defence product with a unique combination of ingredients that provide superior protection against harmful UVA/UVB rays whilst reducing inflammation produced by infrared radiation. It provides high sun protection without causing discomfort to the skin. This unique formula, especially for the face, includes beneficial ingredients to help prevent skin dryness. Ideal to be applied during skin resurfacing procedures or outdoor activities and sports.