Maintaining healthy skin after five decades is possible and less difficult than it seems. According to three dermatologists, there are two key concepts: hydration and sun protection.
Our skin is the testimony of our journey through life. As we age, the journey is reflected on the surface of our face, hands and the rest of the body. It’s that the natural changes in the skin are an inevitable part of the aging process: adding years without it being noticed in our appearance is not possible. However, that doesn’t mean you have to settle for dull, discolored skin full of spots and wrinkles. With care, persistence, and proper attention, it is possible to fade some marks and maintain the desired skin vitality, which sometimes seems to be lost with maturity.
Why does skin aging occur?
Different factors intervene so that the skin, over the years, begins to lose its elasticity, its radiance, its firmness and its color. Each gradually affects its structure:
- Loss of collagen and elastin: As we explained well in a previous article, as youth ends, especially after 30, the internal production of collagen begins to decrease. The fibroblasts, which are the ones that make this protein, have not been told that we are going to live for decades more, so after thirty years the production begins to decrease, by about 1% per year. “There is a progressive loss of elastic fibers and a greater degradation of the elements, which decreases the elasticity of the skin and the turgidity”, explains Pilar De la Sotta, dermatologist at the Clínica Universidad de los Andes. This lack of tension leads to the formation of wrinkles and sagging.
- Decreased hydration: “In general, the skin tends to dry out over the years, as the sebaceous and sweat glands shrink,” says Jorge Burgos, a dermatologist and academic at the U. Andrés Bello School of Medicine in Viña del Mar. for this reason that with age, the skin tends to become drier, as its ability to retain moisture decreases.
- Reduced cell renewal: due to biological factors the skin cell turnover rate decreases, which means that dead skin cells accumulate on the surface longer. This can give a dull and less fresh look.
- Sun exposure: “Ultraviolet radiation from the sun causes cumulative damage to the skin, which is expressed as age increases,” says De la Sotta. After 50 years, “we begin to feel the effects”. La dermatóloga Francisca Daza, del área de dermatoestética de Clínica Alemana, detalla que cuando la piel se expone al sol y se broncea sans protection, “aparecerán más manchas y más arrugas, se va a poner un poquito más gruesa y pueden aparecer incluso puntos negros big”.
- Genetic factors: what is inherited is not stolen, and there are also those who are genetically more fortunate than others. Some people, due to their genetic conditions, may have certain predisposition to increased wrinkle formation or specific skin conditions.
- Lifestyle and habits: “A good diet, taking care of the hours of sleep and getting enough exercise,” says De la Sotta, will help delay the onset of these skin symptoms. Avoiding harmful factors, such as tobacco, alcohol or environmental pollution, will also help.
What skins are there?
“Beyond age, each skin has different characteristics”, explains Pilar De la Sotta. “There are rather dry skins, other combinations or more oily tendencies; there are some who are more sensitive and also those who resist the most,” he replies. “Each skin will require manipulation or a product according to its own characteristics.”
However, there are some common factors that can be found in each age group. “In general, after age 50, what predominates is drier skin,” says Daza. “As it begins to dry out, the sebaceous gland becomes more oily, so in some women there may be more acne or oiliness,” explains the specialist from Clínica Alemana.
sun protection always
The sun is one of the most harmful external agents for the skin. There is enough information about it and in Práctico we have published several articles about it. Despite this, many people continue to downplay its importance and do not apply sunscreen daily, even on days when the sun does not set.
“Solar radiation is the cause of 80% of premature aging, the appearance of benign tumors and, in some cases, malignant cases, such as carcinomas or melanomas”, explains Burgos. This is why he emphasizes the importance of using them daily, whether in winter or summer. “And if we are exposed to the sun on the beach, on the snow or in the swimming pool, it must be applied every two hours”, he specifies.
“Ultraviolet rays damage the quality of the skin, they degrade collagen and elastic fibers,” explains De la Sotta. This unprotected exposure can generate solar elastosis, “which is manifested by deep wrinkles on the face in the shape of a grid, and in areas that are not necessarily expression lines”.
Burgos says that most skin types over the age of 50 show pigmentation changes, “such as solar lentigines, fine or deep wrinkles and flaccidity, always depending on the expressiveness and the sun to which we have been exposed. “. For this reason, prevention, i.e. using sunscreen and avoiding direct exposure, is key to mitigating these effects. But all is not lost: “in any case, there are non-aggressive medical treatments for the care of healthy skin, such as hydrafacial and the different types of lasers”.
what products to use
“The most important thing after 50 is to hydrate the skin,” says Daza. Therefore, the products to be preferred are those that achieve this effect effectively.
“Hyaluronic acid is a great moisturizer because it’s a larger particle that holds more water and allows skin to hydrate better,” he says. It is a good alternative, whether in the form of a cream or a serum. “In general, hydrating substances, such as hyaluronic acid, are well tolerated by all skin types,” says De la Sotta. But “not all skin types tolerate other types of products, such as retinol or alpha hydroxy acid, which are widely used.” This can be due to several factors, including the sensitivity of the skin or its level of dryness.
Other compounds recommended by Daza are creams based on organic silicon, such as proxylane, an active ingredient capable of stimulating cell regeneration and restoring the structure of the skin from within, or silanol, a compound capable of promote hydration and improve the appearance of the skin. the skin.
Burgos is more categorical and emphasizes that “there are no miraculous products or eternal youth. Nor is there a one-size-fits-all solution for everyone over that age. Despite this, some things can be done.
The key is to maintain a daily routine of “cleansing with gentle, non-exfoliating products, as well as increasing hydration throughout the day and using sunscreen; at night, it is useful to use compounds such as retinol or polylactic acid. In case of dyschromia, that is to say when the normal color of the skin is altered, or lack of luminosity, “the use of vitamin C and depigmenting agents is indicated”.
Ideally, the choice of products should be indicated by a dermatologist. If you want to try a cream, serum or product that you are passionate about, it is important to consult your treating dermatologist. This way you will avoid unwanted effects and ensure that your skin is actually protected. The ideal that Burgos proposes is to seek advice from a professional to do prevention, or do an annual check-up, “so as not to accumulate skin lesions”, in addition to always drinking plenty of water and maintaining a diet healthy.
other actions
Moisturizing the skin with creams, serums and other products is not the only thing that is in your hands. Francisca Daza, like Burgos, explains that drinking water is of the utmost importance, as is consuming foods rich in vitamins, such as fruits and vegetables, “and also in omega 3 – such as fatty fish (mackerel, sardines , tuna), seeds and nuts, as it improves the health of the blood and therefore also that of the skin.
Another important point is to have good levels of vitamin D, “which can be obtained with controlled exposure to the sun – always using protection – or through food”, such as eggs, fortified dairy products or mushrooms like shiitake. Physical exercise is also useful, “because it builds muscle mass and thus the skin remains firmer”.
When it comes to skincare, Daza stresses that “you have to make sure it doesn’t dry out.” For this it is practical:
- take short showers
- Avoid excess soap
- Don’t apply moisturizer too many times a day
- Do not expose yourself to the sun without protection
- stay hydrated
Source: Latercera
I’m Rose Brown , a journalist and writer with over 10 years of experience in the news industry. I specialize in covering tennis-related news for Athletistic, a leading sports media website. My writing is highly regarded for its quick turnaround and accuracy, as well as my ability to tell compelling stories about the sport.
