Forever (Looking) Young

We would all like to be forever young, right? Unfortunately, that is not a reality and as we age, our skin is one of the first places that shows it. There are two types of aging that lead to unwanted and unsightly wrinkles and spots: intrinsic and extrinsic. It’s fairly easy to remember the difference: INtrinsic aging is what happens INside the body; EXtrinsic aging involves EXternal factors that cause the skin to age.

Generally, people tend to know more about how to combat the extrinsic factors of aging with a healthy lifestyle.

One of the biggest causes of extrinsic aging is exposure to UV radiation. When skin is exposed to UV light, its top layer dries, thus creating wrinkles. UV Rays damage DNA molecules and if skin is exposed to too much sunlight, excessive amounts of damage can occur. Eventually, visible spots begin to appear in the form of freckles, sun spots and possibly even cancer cells.  This all makes for an easy formula:

 Sunlight=Dry Skin=Wrinkles…Excessive Exposure to UV Rays=Freckles, Sun Spots, Carcinoma

Those with higher levels of melanin, the ‘chemical’ that provides pigmentation and color to the skin, have a higher resistance to the sun’s UV Rays because the skin is better able to absorb the heat from the sun’s rays.

Other extrinsic factors of aging include consumption of alcohol, use/exposure to tobacco smoke/products, poor diet with lack of vitamins C and E and exposure to high-levels of environmental pollution. All these factors thicken the layers of the skin and give it a ‘rough’ appearance.

Intrinsically, there is a lot happening, too. Starting at the age of about 20, there is a 1% decrease per year in the collagen level of the skin, and simultaneously, Elastin production slows. In other words, as we grow in age, our skin grows in fragility. This means we lose collagen, elasticity and so the skin loosens, thickens and clumps. The body is unable to keep up with repair to damages, and so wrinkles and sags begin to appear in the skin.

So what can be done to fight these signs of aging?

ObeyYourBody® offers the DECO Collection—a collection of products for the face that offers the benefit of the tetrapeptide Decorinyl®, which acts as a catalyst to promote the growth of collagen. This then strengthens the skin to firm and tighten skin, therefore reducing and preventing wrinkles. These products offer immediate, visible results and gradual reduction of more ingrained wrinkles. Within this collection, there are four products: Day Cream with SPF 15, Night Cream, Thermal Mask and LiftingSerum.

At What Age Should I Start Using Anti-Aging? Am I too Young?

At 20+: Even though aging is generally not a concern of those in their 20’s, it is not too early to begin using anti-aging creams for prevention.

At 30+: In the 30’s, the main goal of anti-aging products is firming and tightening.

At 40+: From age 40 on, the main goal of anti-aging products should be to specifically combat wrinkles and fine lines.