Starting an Anti-Aging Routine

There’s no wrong age to begin an anti-aging routine but it’s best to begin early which typically means in your late 20’s to early 30’s.  As skin care is preventative and not corrective, the first step in the anti-aging process is finding an anti-aging routine that works well for your skin type. If you have sensitive skin, look for products made for sensitive skin, if you have oily skin select a product for oily skin, etc.

The next step is to develop a daily skin care routine. I recommend to my patients to keep this routine simple and something that they’re willing to commit to daily. The basic products that you need for a daily routine are a cleanser, toner, serum and moisturizer.

In order to get the most from your anti-aging products, you’ll need to:

• Wear sunscreen every day if you’ll be outdoors. 90% of aging is due to sun exposure and the environment. I as well as the Board of Dermatology recommends using a sunscreen that offers broad-spectrum protection, waterproof and has an SPF of 30.
• Never tan. Whether it’s from the sun or a tanning bed, you’ll still be exposed to harmful UV rays that can cause wrinkles, age spots and even cancer.
• Moisturizing within 5 minutes of washing your face or a shower traps water in the skin which can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and make your skin look younger and brighter.
• Only use the product as directed. Active ingredients can do more harm than good when too much is applied. Using more than directed can cause clogged pores and a blotchy complexion.
• It is bad practice to use different cosmetic lines together. If you introduce another product from different lines to your skin it may then irritate your skin because they are not balanced to work together.
• Lastly, you need to give whatever product that you choose time to work. While a moisturizer can immediately plump up fine lines, most products take minimum 6 weeks to 3 months to show noticeable results.

If after following these suggestions you do not see results, visit your dermatologist to discuss your options.

For information on the Vu Skin System Anti-Aging line watch this quick video: