Ageing skin

Plastic surgeon Des Fernandes has devoted his life to researching and treating skin aging. Over time, skin thins and wrinkles, in some people at a younger age and in others at an older age. Time is unforgiving.

In addition to genetic factors, skin aging is influenced by many external factors that we can control ourselves. Healthy nutrition is one important factor. The Mediterranean diet is widely accepted as the epitome of healthy eating, so things should be fine on the Costa del Sol.

As far as I know, smoking has no known positive health effects, and even now, the skin of people who smoke regularly looks 10 years older than their actual age. Other air pollutants also cause the skin to age faster than normal.

As pleasant as sunbathing may be, it is the number one cause of skin aging and wrinkles. The sun's ultraviolet rays penetrate the skin and cause cell changes, thinning of the skin, and wrinkling. Old skin is thin, the stratum corneum is thick, and the renewal of collagen and elastin in the skin is slow.

According to Des, sunlight breaks down vitamin A on the skin – the same vitamin which is essential for the skin. Constant exposure to sunlight causes a chronic vitamin A deficiency in the skin, which manifests itself as skin aging. Of course, vitamin A obtained from food is transported to the skin, but somewhat slowly, late, and insufficiently. This can be remedied with an active, daily vitamin A cream. According to research, vitamin A thins the dead stratum corneum on the skin's surface, increases collagen and elastin cell division, i.e., proliferation, and thickens the skin by 30-50% in a few months.

There are several chemically different groups of vitamin A, some of which irritate the skin and others which are better tolerated. Another problem is the absorption of creams: as the skin heals, absorption becomes more difficult and various tricks are needed to help the creams absorb. The third problem is individual sensitivity to vitamin A. Some people are very sensitive to even small doses, experiencing redness and irritation of the skin (vitamin A reaction), while others can tolerate even large doses.

Essential under the sun: 1. Good mechanical protection, whether it be a hat, a parasol or a shade from a tree. 2. Good sunscreen, remembering that even the strongest sunscreen does not prevent the harmful effects of the sun. 3. Daily application of vitamin A cream to the skin, supplemented with a moisturizing cream.

‍

Asko Salmi

Specialist in Surgery and Plastic Surgery