Protection
The most important rule at any age is to protect your skin from the damaging effects of UV radiation. It is estimated that 80-90% of wrinkling, hyper pigmentation and loose skin is caused by sun damage.
UVA rays are present almost all day, even on a cloudy overcast day and can also penetrate glass. You must advise the use of a factor 15 or above sunscreen to prevent burning and broad spectrum protection (anti-ageing) of the skin when sunbathing and daily use of a moisturiser with UV SPF 15 protection all year round.
The skin also requires protection from pollution as it is bombarded daily with toxins in the environment especially in or near large cities. Smoking is a major pollutant, which deprives the skin of oxygen and essential nutrients and triggers skin-damaging free radicals. A moisturiser containing antioxidants will help to hydrate and protect by mopping up free radicals. It is also important to recommend a diet rich in the antioxidant vitamins A, C and E.
Hydration
It is important to increase water intake to prevent dehydration - an ideal amount per day would be 2 litres, some of which should come from an increased amount of fruit and vegetables in the diet. Reduce alcohol consumption as it is dehydrating to the skin, depletes vitamins and minerals and contributes to the appearance of small, dilated capillaries. Alcohol causes the blood vessels in the face to dilate putting pressure on the collagen and elastin fibres, the components which provides the skin with resilience and tone and also support the blood vessel walls.
Nutrition
It is important to eat a healthy well balanced diet and reduce the amount of processed foods, which contain harmful additives. For a healthy skin include foods in the diet rich in essential fatty acids, they help to keep skin moisturised from the inside. They actually work by strengthening the delicate membrane surrounding each cell.
There are two types:
- Linoleic acid found in green vegetables, soya, nuts, plant oils and seeds.
- Alpha-linoleic acid found in fish oils, fish and shellfish.
To be useful they have to be turned into gamma linoleic acid (GLA) which is particularly important for healthy skin. It helps to strengthen the skin from inside, increase the moisture content of cells and speed up cell renewal. Stress, infection, pollution, alcohol, saturated fats and drugs may interfere with this conversion process.
Taking a supplement such as evening primrose oil therefore will ensure the body receives sufficient GLA.
Eat more antioxidant rich foods to neutralise free radical damage, these should include leafy vegetables, sunflower seeds, tomatoes, brazil nuts, whole wheatgrain, liver, kidney, fish and shellfish.
Relaxation
Stress deprives us of sleep as it can drastically alter the sleep pattern, this may cause dark circles and puffiness around the eyes. Stress also causes overeating and sometimes reaching for the nearest bottle of wine.
Have relaxing facial and body treatments on a regular basis or spend some time meditating or listening to a relaxation tape. Devote more time to an enjoyable hobby particularly something that is far removed from the stressors. Start an exercise regime, whether it is walking, yoga or for those more energetic clients aerobics as this releases endorphins into the body making us feel better and exercise also aids sleep.
The Effects of Smoking on the Skin
Smoking causes premature ageing of the skin.
Cigarettes contain over 4,000 toxic chemicals and around 50 of these cause cancer. Some of these chemicals are: Carbon monoxide, acetone, benzene, butane, nicotine, tar, carbolic acid, collidine, ammonia, hydrogen cyanide, formaldehyde, methanol, prussic acid, pyridine, arsenic and cadmium. This list is by no means complete.
Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless highly toxic gas which is also found in the smoke from car exhausts. When cigarette smoke is inhaled, the carbon monoxide content is absorbed by the haemoglobin in the blood. The blood can absorb carbon monoxide 200 times as fast as oxygen so a great deal of the oxygen is displaced by carbon monoxide, causing the lungs to work less efficiently, reducing the amount of oxygen that the cells in the body require. The organs including the skin are starved of life giving oxygen and slowly poisoned by the carbon monoxide.
The effect on the skin of all these chemicals is damaging but the liver also works hard to expel them from the body and therefore cannot perform its normal functions properly. The skin loses its healthy glow and takes on a yellowish-grey cast. The more cigarettes smoked, the worse the skin will look. Nicotine has an adrenaline like effect causing the blood vessels to constrict thus reducing the oxygen supply to the tissues. Smoking also delays wound healing.
Smoking also causes premature aging in two ways:
- It uses up vitamin C in the body, about 35mg for each cigarette smoked. Vitamin C is an unstable vitamin and cannot be manufactured by the body. An important function of Vitamin C is the preservation of collagen in the skin, the protein fibres that gives skin its plump and youthful appearance. When collagen breaks down it causes premature wrinkling around the eyes and mouth. Vitamin C is also a potent antioxidant that fights free radical damage.
- The physical act of smoking causes the smoker to squint, to prevent smoke entering the eyes, therefore exaggerating the wrinkles around the eyes. Every time a smoker inhales they pucker the lips causing wrinkles to form around the mouth.
The Effects of Poor Diet on the Skin
Diet
A poor diet lacking in essential vitamins, minerals and fats can affect the skin to varying degrees:
Vitamin C - plays a vital role in the synthesis of collagen, which makes up a large part of the skin and in strengthening the walls of blood vessels.
Vitamin A - prevents dryness and a rough texture on the surface of the skin.
Vitamin E - protects cells from damage, strengthens blood vessels, has anti-inflammatory effects and helps to protect against UVR . Together these three vitamins also act as powerful antioxidants, capable of protecting the body from the damage caused by an excess of free radicals.
Zinc - aids tissue repair and a deficiency may lead to stretch marks and poor healing associated with skin problems from acne to eczema.
Essential fatty acids - protect the body's cells and protect against skin inflammation.
Recommendations are to:
Eat more fresh fruit and vegetables rich in the ACE vitamins.
Include foods high in zinc, to boost the immune system, such as liver and beef, crab, mushrooms, yeast and cheese such as cheddar.
Include vegetable oils and oily fish in the diet, particularly mackerel, herrings, sardines and salmon.
Take supplements such as oil of evening primrose, vitamins A, C and E and zinc
Avoid hot spicy foods if facial flushing occurs
Avoid dairy products and wheat if they trigger an allergic reaction causing skin inflammation
Avoid processed foods
Reduce the amount of salt and sugar in the diet
See a dermatologist for advice with any recurring or severe skin condition
Drink more water as it helps flush toxins from the body and helps to keep the skin healthy
