Anti-Aging
Our Board Certified Experts in Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery are here to help you look as good as you feel!
What Causes Aging?
Our skin ages through two processes: intrinsic aging and extrinsic aging. Intrinsic or natural aging is our normal aging process, determined by our genetics. We do not control natural aging. Extrinsic aging, also known as premature aging, is caused by our environment and lifestyle choices. Our decisions and choices can help prevent premature aging.
Natural aging (Intrinsic aging process)
We all go through a natural aging process that is controlled by our genetics:
- We develop visible lines on our faces
- Our faces lose some of their fullness
- Our skin becomes drier and thinner
Premature aging (Extrinsic aging process)
Our environmental exposures and lifestyle choices cause premature aging:
- Cumulative sun exposure over your lifetime
- Smoking causes wrinkles and decreases the health of your skin
- Tanning beds
Aging Facts
| Age Range | Cumulative Lifetime Sun Exposure |
|---|---|
| 1–18 | 23% |
| 19–40 | 47% |
| 41–59 | 74% |
| 60–78 | 100% |
- 90% of skin aging is caused by the sun.
- Using sunscreen (SPF 15 or greater) reduces skin aging by 25%.
- 70% of cumulative sun damage occurs by age 40.
Signs of aging:
- Wrinkles
- Crows feet – fine lines around your eyes
- 11s (furrow lines) – deep lines between your eyebrows
- Smile lines (nasolabial folds) – Lines from the side of your nose to the corner of your mouth
- Lines across your forehead
- Smoker lines – fine lines on your upper lip
- Skin Discoloration – brown spots (liver or sun spots)
- Benign skin growths (seborrheic keratoses)
- Dark circles under the eyes
- Dry skin
- Thin skin
8 Ways to Reduce Premature Aging
- Protect Your Skin from the Sun:
- Use sunscreen:
- Look for:
- Broad-spectrum protection.
- SPF 30 or greater.
- Water-resistant formulas.
- Look for:
- Practice sun-protective behaviors:
- Seek shade when outdoors.
- Wear sun-protective clothing like broad-brimmed hats and long sleeves.
- Choose cooling sun-protective clothing options for comfort in hot weather.
- Use sunscreen:
- Do Not Tan:
- Tanning accelerates skin aging.
- Tanning causes DNA damage, meaning tanned skin is already damaged skin.
- Stop Smoking:
- Smoking causes wrinkles and damages the skin.
- Quitting smoking can improve wrinkles, texture, and overall skin health.
- Eat a Healthy Diet:
- A well-balanced diet with fruits and vegetables improves skin health.
- Drink Less Alcohol:
- Alcohol dehydrates the skin, making it dry.
- Exercise Regularly:
- Improves circulation and boosts the immune system, benefiting skin health.
- Cleanse Your Skin Gently:
- Removes pollution, makeup, and irritants without harming the skin.
- Moisturize Daily:
- Hydrates the skin, improving its appearance and maintaining a youthful look.
Can You Reverse Skin Aging?
Yes! Protecting your skin from the sun gives it a chance to repair, and quitting smoking can lead to healthier, more youthful-looking skin. If signs of aging are bothersome, a dermatologist can provide expert care to prevent and treat wrinkles, sagging, discoloration, dark circles, volume loss, and other concerns.
How Laser-Based Treatments Can Help
Laser treatments are an effective, non-invasive way to combat various signs of aging, including wrinkles, discoloration, and loss of skin elasticity. Our advanced laser technology stimulates collagen production, repairs sun-damaged skin and improves skin tone and texture.
Benefits of laser treatments:
- Reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
- Minimize brown spots, redness, and uneven pigmentation.
- Tighten loose skin for a firmer, youthful appearance.
- Promote natural collagen regeneration for long-lasting results.
Botox for Wrinkle Reduction
Botox is a quick, minimally invasive treatment that effectively reduces dynamic wrinkles caused by repeated facial expressions, such as frowning, squinting, or smiling.
What Botox can treat:
- Crow’s feet around the eyes.
- “11s” or furrow lines between the eyebrows.
- Forehead lines.
Botox works by temporarily relaxing the facial muscles responsible for these wrinkles, creating a smoother and more youthful appearance. Results are visible within days and typically last 3-4 months, making Botox an excellent option for maintaining a refreshed look.
Dermal Fillers for Volume Restoration
As we age, we lose volume in the face, leading to sagging skin, hollow cheeks, and deep lines. Dermal fillers restore this lost volume, smooth out deep wrinkles, and enhance facial contours.
Dermal fillers can address:
- Smile lines (nasolabial folds).
- Sunken cheeks or temples.
- Thinning lips.
- Marionette lines (lines running from the corners of the mouth to the chin).
Fillers are composed of hyaluronic acid, naturally found in the skin, ensuring a natural and hydrated appearance. With results lasting 6-18 months, fillers effectively rejuvenate your face without surgery.
Why choose St. Louis Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery?
We are the trusted experts in dermatology and cosmetic surgery. Our board-certified dermatologists are here for you. You will receive the highest quality care in a warm and compassionate environment, from the most challenging and complex skin concerns to the routine.
Sources:
- Hughes MCB, Williams GM, Baker P, et al. Sunscreen and prevention of skin aging: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med 2013; 158(11):781-790.
- Godar DE, Urbach F, Gasparro FP, et al. UV doses of young adults. Photochem Photobiol 2003; 77(4):453-7.
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