How to slow down skin aging.

• The first visible signs of skin aging appear as early as the age of 25.

• These include dehydrated skin, wrinkles and fine lines, loss of radiance, volume and density as well as liver spots.

• Aging is caused both by natural, internal factors within the skin’s structure as well as external factors such as sunlight, lack of sleep, and smoking.

• When it comes to warding off skin aging, prevention is always better than cure, and a skincare routine comprising quality treatments should be established as early as possible.

• Creams are effective even when applied sparingly.

The first signs of skin aging develop around the age of 25 and affect all layers of the skin’s structure. The first things we notice are small wrinkles that gradually become deeper and more prominent as the years go by. Meanwhile, the muscles of the face begin to relax, and the skin becomes looser and less firm. The face’s volume and appearance gradually change.

Although skin aging is an inevitable process, it can be slowed down if the appropriate care and maintenance habits are practiced early on. So, it’s important to be aware of the signs of skin aging and to understand the internal and external factors that cause it.

There are 6 major signs of skin aging that are generally recognized, and each affects the face in a different way. 

Dehydration.

Dehydrated skin has a low moisture content and does not retain water. This results in tightness, dehydration lines, and a lack of elasticity.

Loss of radiance.

The complexion’s radiance depends on the skin’s capacity to reflect light. It is generally agreed that skin loses its radiance when it is less even, when pores are more open, and when the texture is less smooth. A complexion that lacks radiance causes the face to look dull and tired.

Wrinkles and fine lines.

Wrinkles are the most obvious and widely known indicator of aging. The first fine lines to appear, often crow’s feet, can show up from as early as the age of 25. The next to appear are common expression lines, like forehead furrows, frown lines (caused by repeated brow movements),  and smile lines between the nose and mouth.

Liver spots.

These spots are caused by a disturbance to the skin’s natural pigmentation process. It indicates an excessive accumulation of melanin, the pigment that causes skin to look tanned. As we will see below, any part of the body that is exposed to the sun (especially the face) is prone to the development of these brown spots.

Loss of volume.

A loss of volume manifests itself as sagging and loosening of the skin on the face. The shape of the face changes gradually over time: the corners of the mouth and the lower cheeks lose their elasticity, and a double chin can develop.

Loss of density.

This particular symptom of skin aging results in thinner, more fragile skin on the face. The result is a duller complexion and skin that may appear paler. Loss of density can also result in deeper wrinkles.

There’s no single cause of skin aging. It is a combination of both natural internal factors and external factors that are directly related to lifestyle and environment. At FILORGA, we believe that a proper understanding of all these processes will help our customers better identify their skincare needs, making it easier for them to choose the most appropriate treatments from our various ranges of facial skincare products.

Internal factors, within the skin’s layers.

The main cause of skin aging is slower cell renewal, which results in:

• Reduced production of the lipids that act as an intercellular cement on the surface of the epidermis. This cement binds the cells of the stratum corneum together into an impermeable film. Skin aging also affects the hydrolipidic film (a mixture of sebum and sweat) that is secreted on the surface of the skin. When the quality of the intercellular cement and hydrolipidic film diminishes, the skin becomes drier and more susceptible to the development of wrinkles.

• The dermis, however, sees a decline in the efficiency of fibroblasts, which are the cells that produce collagen, hyaluronic acid, and elastin. This disrupts the skin’s structure and results in both the development of wrinkles and a loss of elasticity and firmness.

• The hypodermis, or subcutaneous tissue, is a layer that contains fat cells called adipocytes that give volume to the skin. With age, these adipocytes lose their ability to store fat, causing lines on the face to become more pronounced.

All of these changes are natural processes, and they will vary in intensity according to the individual’s genetic makeup.

External factors.

The exposome is a collection of environmental exposures that we and our skin are subjected to throughout our lives. It includes our diet, the air we breathe, exposure to sunlight, noise, our work environment, and more. Like our DNA, this affects skin aging. Let’s see how.

The sun.

In addition to our biological clock, the sun plays a major role in skin aging. Ultraviolet radiation damages skin cells, contributes to the development of some types of cancer, and is the primary cause of liver spots. Also, excessive exposure to UV accelerates the breakdown of skin cells, which are then not replaced quickly enough. The skin becomes dry, thinner, and less resilient.

 Sleep.

Our tissues repair themselves as we sleep. This is when the production of collagen and elastin peaks in the skin. It’s also when our body produces melatonin. This powerful antioxidant protects our skin from oxidative stress, which is responsible for cell damage and accelerates the aging process.

Smoking.

Smoking, like the sun, accelerates skin aging. It disrupts the enzyme activity that regulates the turnover of dermal cells. Smoking also leads to an increase in oxidative stress. Each puff of a cigarette delivers 200,000 free radicals that both attack our skin cells and have generally detrimental effects on the face (causing wrinkles, dark circles, a dull complexion, and more).

Diet and physical activity.

A diet lacking in fruit, vegetables, and plant-based foods in general will not provide sufficient antioxidants to combat skin aging. Likewise, a sedentary lifestyle does not allow the body to boost its natural production of antioxidants, which is what regular physical activity does — even in small amounts.

Stress and pollution.

Stress and pollution also increase the number of free radicals that our skin has to contend with. Given that modern life makes them difficult to avoid, they compound the negative effects of sun exposure, smoking, and lack of sleep.

As we’ve seen, natural aging is unavoidable; it’s a fact of life. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t simple solutions to help slow it down and keep your skin looking younger for longer.

Prevention is better than cure when it comes to the effects of aging.

The first signs of aging appear around the age of 25, which is why it’s essential to be proactive and start using a moisturizer that’s right for your skin type as early as possible. This will improve the skin’s barrier function, shielding your skin from external aggressors.

In addition, FILORGA’s experts recommend regularly applying a dedicated eye contour cream.  This is because the eye contour area is the most delicate part of the face and the most likely to prematurely develop wrinkles and liver spots.

Be disciplined.

Skincare products are designed to be used on a regular basis (usually morning and evening) on clean, dry skin. Our facial cleansing gel was specifically formulated to clear the skin’s surface of impurities and contaminants from the environment.

Also, be sure to read the instructions provided with your FILORGA products. They contain valuable advice on how to get the most out of the treatment’s anti-aging properties.

One last thing: all of our tips are only useful if they’re regularly put to use! So, if you’re new to cosmetics or just a bit forgetful, try putting reminders on your bathroom mirror!

Improve your lifestyle.

As we’ve already seen, sleep, nutrition, and smoking all have a significant impact on skin aging. Even the smallest effort in any of these three areas can have a positive impact on your skin. 

Think about what you eat, your sleeping habits, etc., and see where improvements can be made. But you shouldn’t try to change everything at once. Focus on a single (small) thing at a time. This way, you’ll have the best chance of success.

Use effective sun protection.

The first thing that doctors of aesthetic medicine will tell you is that it’s essential to always use sun protection, even in the city and, yes, even on cloudy days, because clouds do very little to stop UV radiation. Use a sunscreen that is suitable for your skin type, as well as a moisturizing and soothing after-sun treatment if needed.

Use antioxidants

Providing the skin with antioxidants helps it tackle the oxidative stress responsible for accelerated aging in skin cells. Examples of key compounds in aesthetic medicine include glutathione, found in our signature compound NCEF [New Cellular Encapsulated Factors], which is used in all our products*, and vitamin C, which is a foundational ingredient in our antioxidant face serum HYDRA-AOX.

Turning to aesthetic medicine to reduce sagging and combat the first signs of aging.

Since its creation in 1978, Laboratoires FILORGA has drawn inspiration from aesthetic medicine to produce highly effective skin aging treatments.

For those willing to turn to aesthetic medicine to prevent skin aging, mesotherapy and botulinum toxin injections can be used alongside cosmetic products to combat the signs of aging.

*except our sheet masks, micellar solution, and foam cleanser.