Ever hear the old adage "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure"? I'm pretty sure good old Ben Franklin was talking about fire-fighting rather than antiaging skincare, but it also applies to wrinkles, age spots, and all the other signs of age your skin collects over the years.
Most often, we talk about skin rejuvenation and how to turn back the clock. But no matter how many journeys around the sun you've completed, you can always reduce its damage and take other prejuvenation steps to keep your skin healthy and (looking) young. We're not saying you should lie about your age — let your skin do that for you.
What Is Prejuvenation?
Prejuvenation is a proactive approach to skincare that focuses on prevention rather than correction. The idea is to start treatments early in life in order to prevent the signs of aging from appearing.
This can include adopting good habits, such as wearing sunscreen and avoiding smoking, and anti-wrinkle treatments. You might also adjust your diet and daily skincare regimen to include antiaging ingredients.
Benefits of Prejuvenation
Starting your antiaging regimen young can save you from skin concerns and hassle down the line. Avoid or delay the need for more aggressive treatments later in life by preserving facial volume, increasing collagen production, and supporting elastin function – all key signs of a younger appearance.
Best Antiaging Habits and Skincare
The first step is to take care of yourself. Avoid smoking, eat a balanced diet, drink plenty of water, and get enough sleep. You'll also want to rid of harsh astringents and other products that strip moisture from your skin.
And wear sunscreen! Seriously. It's hard to overstate the importance of daily application of sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. Protect your skin from UV rays and free radical damage, which can contribute to signs of aging.
Best Anti-aging Products
Start incorporating anti-aging products into your morning and night routines. Examine the ingredient lists of your favorite products. Good options include:
Retinol, also known as vitamin A. Helps reduce wrinkles and even out skin tone by increasing cell turnover and stimulating collagen production.
Niacinamide. Reduces inflammation and discoloration
Hyaluronic acid. Helps keep skin hydrated and plump.
Ceramides. Help seal in hydration.
Other effective anti-aging ingredients include antioxidants like vitamin C and ferulic acid. Gentle exfoliants such as low concentrations of glycolic or lactic acid can also play a role, revealing fresh skin and improving overall texture.
Anti-aging Supplements
The right nutrients and anti-aging supplements also help keep your skin looking its best. Eat plenty of foods with Vitamin A, Vitamin D, and Vitamin E. Adequate zinc intake is important, too.
But as for the most effective prejuvenation supplement... Did you know that you can consume collagen directly, boosting its presence in your body? Here at Advanced Body Sculpting & MedSpa in Minnesota, we're big fans of LifeVantage's TrueScience Liquid Collagen.
Best Prejuvenation Aesthetics
Med spa treatments are another option for slowing down the march of time. These include injections, peels, laser treatments, microneedling, and specialty facials. Each treatment has its own set of benefits and risks so it’s important to consult with a qualified technician before deciding which one is right for you.
Preventative Botox
People are starting Botox earlier than ever these days. Neurotoxins such as Botox, Dysport, Jeuveau, and Xeomin work by blocking signals from the nerves to the muscles, reducing the muscle activity that causes wrinkles. Because of this, it works as a preventative measure as well as a corrective one. In other words, the younger that you start, the less Botox you'll need to maintain your results and smooth out the forehead and other trouble spots.
Preventative Microneedling
Microneedling is popular for antiaging support, and people often use it on the neck and cleavage as well as the face.
During the procedure, tiny needles are used to create microscopic channels in the skin, which stimulate collagen production. SkinPen treatments reduce wrinkles, scars, and fine lines as well as improve the texture and tone of the skin.
Or get two antiaging procedures in one with Morpheus8, a combination of radiofrequency and microneedling.
Preventative Laser Treatments
Laser therapy works by targeting specific areas of the skin with light energy to stimulate collagen production and improve overall skin tone and texture. It can reduce wrinkles, fine lines, sun damage, discoloration, age spots, and other signs of aging.
Antiaging Facials
High-tech facials blend hydration with energy-based mini treatments. For example, your Advanced Practice aesthetician might use microcurrent stimulation or a cryo device on your face, enhancing the smoothness of your skin and encouraging collagen development.
An Ounce of Prejuvenation...
Starting young gives you time to develop good habits that will keep your skin looking youthful over time and experiment with different products and treatments. Stop wrinkles and other signs of aging appearing too soon.
Above all, take care of your skin. Sleep, hydrate, use moisturizer and a gentle cleanser, and never skip the sunscreen. As incredible as today's treatments are, they'll go further (and cost less over time) when you maintain skin health at any age. Besides, your skin — like the rest of you — deserves to be treated with respect.
Want to know more about your med spa skincare options? Contact us, or book a skincare consultation today. (Alternatively, you can treat yourself to my favorite kind of consultation, one that comes with pampering included. Book a facial, and ask about your options while at the clinic.)
Or if prejuvenation measures are no longer cutting it, see our article on non-surgical facelifts for more radical transformations.