Some of you are looking a little embarrassed at the idea, though—even though you shouldn’t be. If your skin was so far outside of your zone of attention that you never even uttered the word “moisturizer” for a decade, don’t worry. It’s never too late to start putting a positive skin-care routine into place.
That said, this is as good a time as any to reinforce the notion that prevention is one of the keys to looking fabulous all life long. That means preventing wrinkles, preventing fine lines, and preventing spots before they form or get worse. Keeping the upper hand in this ongoing fight against the signs of aging means understanding what causes these age-revealing grooves and marks in the first place.
Wrinkles are the end result of a mix of factors, including the gradual loss of key components in the skin, repetitive muscle contractions, and exposure to the elements (we’re mainly looking at you, sun). Each time you smile, frown, scowl, or squint, your skin bunches up in a distinct way. As you make these same expressions over and over (and over) again, and as your skin’s natural moisturizer diminishes, you begin to develop lines that grow increasingly permanent, whether they run across your forehead or radiate out from the corners of your eyes.
The most obvious and popular treatment for these wrinkles in the United States today is Botox®, which has been used millions of times to temporarily smooth out forehead lines and crow’s feet. In fact, when it comes to Botox®, San Francisco-area residents probably best know it as a cosmetic designed to reduce the appearance of already-formed wrinkles. But did you know that dermatologists can use Botox® to relax wrinkle-causing muscles and keep them from etching lines in the first place? Since Botox® works by preventing signals from properly completing their journey from brain to muscle, it can stop the formation of certain wrinkles before they even start.
In addition to Botox®, here are some other tips you should know when it comes to your skin in your 30s:
- We said it before, and you may get tired of hearing us say it again: Take moisture seriously. Get comfortable with it inside and out by drinking plenty of water and using lotions, creams, and even sunblock with moisturizing properties. We’re loving the EltaMD® UV Daily Broad-Spectrum SPF 40 moisturizing facial sunscreen with hyaluronic acid.
- Cleanse your skin twice a day: in the morning and at night. Speaking of night, that’s a good time to exfoliate, too—but gently! You’re not scouring a pan here, or sanding a board. This is your beautiful, soft, contoured face.
- Know that acne is not just a pre-prom problem. Adult-onset acne can strike when you’re in your 30s, and all of the advice you got as a teenager still applies: Keep your skin clean, don’t pick at any breakouts, and see a dermatologist if it gets to be a problem.
- The wear of the years starting to show, coupled with the daily grind of work and/or kids and/or whatever else adds stress to your day, can strip away your youthful glow and leave your skin dull. A chemical peel, MicroPen™ collagen induction therapy, or other resurfacing treatments can restore a healthy-looking shine.
Even more advice on facial health and beauty is on the way as this series rolls into your fabulous 40s. Contact Dr. David M. Lieberman, Dr. Sachin S. Parikh, and their staff to talk more about Botox® and other tips that make a difference no matter how old you are. Call (650) 327-3232 or visit one of two offices in the San Francisco area: 805 El Camino Real, Suite A, in Palo Alto, or a new 5,000-square-foot South Bay office at 3425 S. Bascom Ave., Suite 100, in Campbell.
