Skincare Through the Ages
By Theresa Pacheco, MD
Coloradoans face adverse conditions that can negatively impact the skin if proper precautions and care are not taken. Skin health is important, because skin is a living organ that changes with each decade. Below are tips for Colorado women to heed during the years when skin changes the most:
TWENTIES
Most 20-year-olds have great skin. The point? Prevention. Prevent lines and sunspots from forming as long as possible! How? The most important thing you can do during this decade is to develop good habits.
• Wear protective sunscreen on a daily basis. The high elevation of our state makes you more susceptible to UV light. So enjoy the outdoors, but wear sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.
• If you smoke or use tanning beds, stop! And by all means, don’t start.
• Begin using vitamin A topical products, as long as you are not pregnant or breast-feeding. Common vitamin A products include tretinoin or retinol. Many women are on a prescription vitamin A (tretinoin) because it is an approved treatment for acne. If you are already on it, continue. Or, you can start by obtaining an over-the-counter retinol. Successful use of a prescription product can be tricky in Colorado’s semi-arid climate, so talk to your dermatologist about how best to use this product while avoiding side effects.
THIRTIES
Focusing on a good skin care regimen in your 30s is key. You may be busy with career, marriage and/or kids, but don’t forget about your own skin health. A little effort now will pay off later.
• Wear sunscreen daily. To moms reading this: Teaching your children about sun avoidance and protection is one of the greatest gifts you can give them! SPF30 is the magic number; anything higher is marketing. Look for zinc oxide or titanium dioxide listed under active ingredients.
• You may notice your skin becoming drier, especially in Colorado’s semi-arid climate. Proper hydration of the skin is crucial. Well-hydrated skin is less sensitive, and shows fewer signs of aging. So what can we do in Colorado to hydrate our skin? Use moisturizers on your face and body containing cholesterol, fatty acids such as stearic acid, and ceramides. Creams are better than lotions.
• Begin or continue using Vitamin A (retinoid) topical product (see above).
• You may also start to get benefits from cosmetic procedures like lasers and injectables, but they do not replace a good skin care regimen. So spend the little time you have on sun protection, moisturizers and consistently using the above-recommended skin care products.
FORTIES
It is never too late to start focusing on skin health! Most women in their 40s start purchasing skin care products promising ‘miracles’ in a jar. It is very confusing, but the important thing is not to spend too much time and money with the ‘next new product’ as it often disappears when a new one pops up. Instead, use tried and true products that can reverse the signs of aging.
• Chances are you did not wear sunscreen growing up, but rather sunbathed with baby oil. If your make-up has a sunscreen, that’s helpful, but Colorado women should also apply sunscreen with a light moisturizer every morning to the face, neck and upper chest before applying make-up.
• Proper hydration of the skin is crucial, especially in Colorado’s semi-arid climate. As recommended earlier, use moisturizers everywhere. It will make your skin look healthier.
• Your skin’s texture also tends to become more of a concern. Although cosmetic treatments can be a great way to smooth skin and treat sunspots and fine wrinkles, they should not triumph effective skin care products. An over-the-counter product with retinol, prescription retinoid and over-the-counter products with glycolic acid can improve the evenness of your complexion.
• You may also start to get benefits from other cosmetic procedures like chemical peels, lasers and injectables, but they do not replace a good skin care regimen, which if used throughout the years, will increase the benefit of these treatments.
FIFTIES
• Hopefully, women in their 50s are already doing basic skin care such as applying sunscreen, vitamin A and other products, but there are additional tricks to keep your skin looking its best. It is never too late to start focusing on skin health!
• Proper hydration of the skin becomes even more important in the 50s. As recommended above, use moisturizers everywhere.
• You may benefit from certain cosmetic procedures which often provide the best results.
Also talk to your dermatologist or plastic surgeon to discuss effective alternatives to the surgical procedures traditionally used to address aging. Whether or not you elect to have a cosmetic procedure, a good skin care regimen, if used throughout the years, will increase the benefit of these treatments.
Dr. Theresa Rebecca Pacheco has served as the medical director for cosmetic dermatology at the University of Colorado Denver School of Medicine’s Cosmetic Specialist Clinic since 2006, where she manages a staff of academic physicians who provide comprehensive skin and cosmetic care. She joined the university in 2001 as an assistant professor, and currently holds the title of associate professor in the Department of Dermatology.
Pacheco is the unique combination of doctor, professor and researcher. She is involved in a genetic project that will help experts of skin science better understand sun damage and aging skin. Other research interests include understanding skin types in Colorado’s dry climate.