Medical science has been in overdrive for decades. Seemingly endless innovation is making it easier than ever to age just about as gracefully as we’d like. The sentiment “50 is the new 30” applies to men and women of all ages, really. What our grandparents looked like at 50 or 60 may take us many more years to witness in ourselves. How is this possible? We want to break it down to a three-pronged approach. Interestingly enough, surgical intervention is not included in this path to graceful aging.
The First Prong: Lifestyle
Studies reveal that there are lifestyle habits that can support our skin as we age, and there are habits that degrade skin at an accelerated rate. The choice is yours; you just need to know a few details:
- UV light may be good for vitamin D production, but it’s destructive to collagen. If you want to promote healthy vitamin D, do so by sitting in the early-morning sunshine. Beyond those first few minutes, cover up with broad spectrum sunscreen.
- There’s magic on your plate. Leafy greens and other fresh vegetables hold magic in the form of antioxidants. These nutrients support cellular health by fighting free radicals that attach to cells and cause them to morph.
- Beauty sleep really is a thing. Sleep is vital to DNA repair and cortisol control. Cortisol is that sneaky little stress-chemical that breaks down collagen.
- Alcohol can wreck your skin. We’ve come to love that glass of Chardonnay but need to remember that alcoholic beverages are diuretic and can dehydrate the body quickly.
The Second Prong: Skin Care
There’s skin care and then there’s skincare. Skin care is what you do to cleanse, moisturize, and nourish your skin. Skincare describes how you do it. In our San Antonio offices, we help patients discover their skin’s needs by performing a comprehensive analysis. Men and women of all ages benefit from the use of medical grade skincare products because they contain highly concentrated ingredients that have been proven to achieve specific goals, such as decreasing pore size or facilitating cell turnover.
The Third Prong: Technology
As the skin ages, it needs more focused care. This may come in the form of injectable wrinkle reducers and volume restoring solutions. It may come from the use of ultrasound energy to tighten and lift. Radiofrequency, lasers, and innovative microneedling techniques all demonstrate efficacy in maintaining skin through the stages of aging.
When it comes to gorgeous skin, we’ve got you covered. Contact our La Casita or Sonterra office to schedule your consultation with Dr. Bucay.