Guide: Your Best Skin at Every Age 

Skin changes throughout a lifetime and different strategies for beautiful skin are often needed in different stages and decades of life.  When it comes to the treatments that can help you look your best, it helps to plan for the future. After all, skin maintenance is a marathon, not a sprint. Read on for NDDA’s guide to your best skin, no matter your age . . .
20s
Many in their twenties are still experiencing problems with breakouts but are also starting to think about what they should do to prevent the signs of aging.  A two-pronged strategy is best. First, develop the skincare habits that will serve you well later in life.  This means consistent daily use of sunscreen as well as building in the use of collagen boosting ingredients such as anti-oxidant serums, peptides, and some women may also choose to begin the use of retinol treatments at this time. Other treatments can include microdermabrasion and light chemical peels to address hyperpigmentation and acne.
30s
The thirties are often a busy and stressful phase in life with greater family and work responsibilities.  Stress can take its toll on skin with acne breakouts still a potential problem. Meanwhile, more attention may now be given to combating the visible signs of aging. Hyperpigmentation can become more noticeable at this age.  Lasers can help eradicate these spots as well as broken capillaries and fine lines. Along with the newest options in laser resurfacing, the thirties are also the age at which many women begin to treat areas with Botox or fillers to prevent deep wrinkles from forming. Meanwhile, this is the decade to address texture changes in the skin as well as sun damage with microneedling, photofacial treatments and/or fractional laser resurfacing.  If the 30’s left post-pregnancy bulges, non-invasive body sculpting options can help women get rid of stubborn fat pockets.
40s
Women who may have avoided cosmetic procedures in previous decades may begin to consider them in their forties as a way to help them continue to look as young as they feel.  This is a time when facial fillers are often used to treat facial wrinkles.  There are made up of a group of injectable hyaluronic acid dermal fillers, provide approximately nine months to a year of improvement in facial wrinkles and folds.   Laser treatments are also still an effective treatment for hyperpigmentation and to promote skin firming
50s
Treatments used in previous decades are still good options for women in their 50s.  Nevertheless, the fifties are the decade in which many begin to take skin elasticity issues seriously. Fortunately, there are now options for firming up the face and neck area that don’t involve surgery.  One such option for skin firming, is Ultherapy, the only FDA-approved non-invasive treatment for lifting the skin on the neck, chin and brow. Ultherapy uses focused ultrasound to stimulate collagen deep within the skin.  The procedure requires no downtime but results in tighter, more lifted skin. . This is also a time to invest in collagen-stimulating treatments like fractional lasers, microneedling and Sculptra Cosmetic – all treatments that improve the health of the skin by helping it build collagen.
60s, 70s and beyond
We live in a time where we can continue to explore clinical anti-aging options throughout our lifetime and don’t need to turn to surgery for noticeably positive results at any age.  While anti-aging efforts in your 60s, 70s and beyond can involve the full range of options such as clinical skincare, peels, lasers, fillers and ultrasound therapy, most women will want to use a more targeted approach based on an agreed-upon strategy created in collaboration with a qualified board certified dermatologist.
Taking great care of your skin at any age will always involve prioritizing health, good nutrition and a conscientious skincare regimen.  But it’s nice to know that these efforts can be supplemented throughout the decades with an increasingly impressive and effective array of clinical options that can boost skin appearance – often from the inside out – and frequently with little downtime or discomfort.
Put your best face forward in 2017! Let our NDDA physicians help you customize a plan to make the coming year your youngest ever!