What Are The First Signs of Skin Aging

Aging is a natural part of life that we can’t avoid. And even though the signs of aging aren’t really noticeable until the later 30s and 40s, there are small signs of skin aging long before then. In fact, the first signs of skin aging can start as early as our late 20s. In this case, it’s more likely signs of premature aging are being noticed, which can happen due to lifestyle choices or spending lots of time in the sun. So today, I’m going over the first signs of skin aging to look out for. As well as preventative and corrective measures to take.

What Are The First Signs of Skin Aging To Look Out For?

Many factors play a part in the way our skin ages, especially when it comes to these changes happening earlier than you might normally expect, including:

• Genetics
• Smoking
• Drinking
• Sun Exposure
• Sleep Habits (10 Tips For A Better Nights Sleep)
• Diet
• Stress
• Environmental Pollution

I do believe in aging gracefully, but some measures can be taken to help slow the appearance of aging skin. Although nothing in the world can stop the hand of time…. nor should you want it to.

Here Are The First Signs of Aging Skin

Fine Lines or Wrinkles

Fine lines and wrinkles around the corner of the eyes, most commonly known as crow’s feet, are probably one of the first signs of aging skin we notice. Around the age of 30, the skin’s production of collagen slows down. With less collagen available in the skin, it cannot remain firm and taught. This is when you see those pesky fine lines start to form.

What you can do: First, make sure you’re drinking enough water. If you’re dehydrated, those fine lines will be more noticeable. Using a product with glycolic acid once a week will help slough off dead skin and dry patches. Always use sunscreen, and sunglasses are also a good idea. Constant squinting will speed up the formation of wrinkles. And if you haven’t yet, it’s time to invest in a good eye cream, hyaluronic acid, and face moisturizer. These are three products you want to be using daily.

Sun Spots

Sun spots, also known as age spots or liver spots, are reddish or brown in color and lay flat on your skin. They are caused by years of overexposure to the sun. These hyperpigmentation spots tend to show up most commonly on the back of your hands and forearms. They are also more noticeable in lighter skin tones. You can read more about treating hyperpigmentation in this post.

What you can do: First thing to do is limit sun exposure. But when you are spending time outdoors, make sure to take proper sun protection measures. Protect your skin from the sun with large-brim hats, a minimum of SPF 30, and long layers of clothing when necessary.

To fade sun spots most effectively, you should visit a board-certified dermatologist. They can check for skin cancer and will rule out any serious skin concerns you may have. If they feel it’s necessary, the may prescribe prescription-strength topicals. If you do not want to take a trip to the dermatologist at the moment, be sure to add a good retinol product to your skin care routine.

Dry or Itchy Skin

Dry skin that can sometimes be itchy is another sign of the aging process. That’s because the skin becomes thinner as we grow older and is unable to retain as much moisture.

What you can do: Be sure to drink enough water to ensure you’re optimally hydrated. Avoid lengthy showers or baths in hot water, as the heat strips moisture from your skin. Exfoliate in the shower a few times a week to remove the top layer of dead skin. Not only will this keep it smooth and free from rough patches, but moisturizing products will be able to absorb more efficiently.

As soon as you towel off from the shower, apply a thick body cream or body oil to seal in moisture and keep your skin hydrated throughout the day. Body cream with colloidal oatmeal like the Ultra Repair Cream from First Aid Beauty will provide instant, long-term hydration for dry, sensitive skin if you suffer from itchy skin. 

Dullness

The skin’s natural cell turnover begins to slow down as we get older. In youth, this process usually takes about 28 days. But by the time you reach your 50s, it takes an average of 80 days. This slowdown in exfoliation leads to a buildup of excess skin cells. The result is skin that looks tired, dry, and dull.

What you can do: Incorporating the regular use of physical and chemical exfoliants like retinol or glycolic acid will help speed the regeneration process up again and help to bring back a dewy glow. Read about the Benefits of Dry Brushing as one way to physically exfoliate your whole body. As well as my tips on How To Achieve A Full Body Glow All Year.

Hyperpigmentation On The Chest

Carefree hours of unprotected sunbathing will show up as patchy discoloration along the upper chest as we age, especially for people with lighter skin. This sun damage can show up as red and brown age spots, broken blood vessels under the skin, as well as wrinkling and sagging of the skin.

What you can do: Keep this area well protected. It often sees just as much sunlight as your face but is rarely given the same protection. Always apply sunscreen to this entire area after you finish your face. Because the skin in this area is more delicate than on your face, you’ll want to be careful with any strong home treatments.

However, a dermatologist will be able to go over the best treatment options with you, like retinoids, vitamin C, exfoliants, and lightening agents. Several in-office treatments include chemical peels, laser therapy, light-based devices like IPL, fractionated non-ablative lasers, and ablative lasers.

When Does Your Skin Start Aging?

Everyone ages differently, and how we age depends a lot on genetics and lifestyle factors. That being said, typically, the first signs of aging start to appear around the age of 25. These are usually very subtle fine lines around your eyes, a small loss of volume in your cheeks, and a sprinkling of sun spots across your face. In your 30s these changes become more noticeable. Collagen production decreases, which means your skin will appear less tight. As cell turn over slows down, wrinkles begin to form in the top layer of the skin, and your skin may appear dull. Hyperpigmentation from sun exposure usually becomes more noticeable as well.

What Are The Causes of Premature Aging?

Although aging is natural, how we live our lives will contribute to how fast we age. Some of these factors are smoking, an unhealthy diet, bad sleep habits, alcohol consumption, stress, environment, and sun exposure. Fortunately, making some lifestyle changes can have a positive impact. If you’re a smoker, the best thing you can do for your health and skin is quit. Try and optimize your sleep habits, limit drinking alcoholic beverages, and find healthy ways to manage stress.

Prevention Is Key

The key to avoiding premature skin aging is prevention—at least as much as possible. The good thing is it’s never too late to start a new skincare routine. As your skin matures, your daily skin routine should change as well. Incorporating more anti aging skin care products and treatments like IPL facials can help keep your skin healthy and slow down signs of aging. Luckily, there are so many options available to help minimize and correct skin damage.

Xx Monti