Have you ever looked into the mirror and wanted to turn back time to the days when you had flawless skin? Maybe when you were just a child and your cheeks were round, soft and supple. Maybe to your early twenties, when all the teenage breakouts had stopped and your skin was at its prime. We all fantasize about having young, beautiful, taut skin forever. But the clock, unfortunately, keeps on ticking.
As we grow older, our skin changes. It becomes slack, wrinkled and sunken. Loss of fat and loosening of muscles makes our skin hang. Our skin darkens, and new spots appear every passing day. There are many root cause for this, starting from genetics, sun damage, lifestyle and health, to personal habits like drinking and smoking.
Aging skin is inevitable, but can we postpone, and even lessen the signs of aging?
We spoke to Dr. Shefali Trasi, world famous dermatologist and pioneer in cosmetology in India, about this and we have a hoard of tips and tricks for you. “It is always better to start young,” she says. So, don’t wait for the signs of aging to show up on your face. Start now!
Beauty Book: Is it true that once you reach mid-twenties you should incorporate anti-aging products in your skin care regimen?
Dr. Trasi: "A lot of women make the mistake of using these products after seeing changes in their skin. But it is always better to start early. It doesn’t mean you start using skin firming creams at age of 20. Eating healthy diet and investing in good skin care products can prevent early signs of aging. Irrespective of season, place and skin type, a sunscreen is a must. Exposure to sun without protection can cause damage to skin. Face wash and moisturizer are also essential. If you have oily skin, use light textured moisturizer which won't cause acne."
Nykaa recommends: La Shield Sunscreen Gel SPF 40 P+++, The Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash, Clinique Moisture Surge 72-Hour Auto-Replenishing Hydrator
Beauty Book: How often should women exfoliate as they grow older?
DT: "Microdermabrasion should be done only once a month. Whether you are young or old, avoid doing it frequently as it has side effects. It can cause early aging. Rather than just removing dead skin, frequent microdermabrasion will remove upper layer of skin which acts as a protective layer."
Nykaa recommends: Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Scrub Foam, The Body Shop Vitamin C Microdermabrasion, Forest Essentials Revitalising Kashmiri Walnut Gel Scrub
Beauty Book: Open pores and discolouration become prominent after 30. How can these be treated?
DT: "It is easier to manage a scar than open pores. No home remedy can work wonders in this case. You need to visit a dermatologist. Laser treatment can help in minimizing those pores. Pigmentation can have numerous causes. First step is to find the cause and then proceed with treatment. It can happen due to medicine or post-pregnancy or hormonal changes. Chemical peels containing glycolic acid can improve skin tone."
Nykaa recommends: Vedic Line Open Pore Reducing Lotion, The Body Shop Drops Of Youth Liquid Peel
Beauty Book: As you cross 40, how does your skin care regimen change?
DT: "At that age eye bags and wrinkles become visible. You can correct the damage with help of fillers and Botox. After correcting it, you have to maintain your skin by keeping it moisturized. This is the time when you start using creams meant for wrinkles. Hydrating facials can also help in maintenance."
Nykaa recommends: LANEIGE Water Sleeping Mask, Prolixr Detoxifying Sea Algae Mask, Neutrogena Hydro Boost Capsule In Serum
