Looking after your skin as you age
Song – ‘Sunburn’- Graham Gouldman. This song was released in 1979. Listen closely to the lyrics. It so apt for Baby Boomers.
September is a great time to think about your face and skin care.
Spring days can be unpredictable (depending of course, where you live). I live on the Central Coast of NSW Australia . Some days can be cool but others can be very warm to hot and needing optimum skin protection.
My skin shows the results of being a teenager in the 70’s . My cousin and I were examples of Baby Boomers baking their skin until it was glowing red. Brown skin was so desirable and many people spent hours sunbaking in the peak of the day, without sunscreen and using oils to enhance the tanning (burning) process. A dip in the ocean to cool the skin down so you could sunbake more to get the desired result of perfectly tanned, golden, brown skin (or red, sore, blistered skin that left you with cold shivers as the body tried to cool down the over heated skin).
My father who had very olive skin would be mortified and berate me severely if he saw the bright red colour of my skin after a day at the beach. Add to that, my cousin and I would hitchhike home in the hope of getting more sun. That was until my uncle picked us up and delivered us home with more wrath from my father. Teenagers of the 70’s! Sound familiar?
I have paid the price with motley skin, redness, uneven skintone and age spots.
I am relieved that these days, from babies, children are taught and encouraged to use sunscreen, hats and protective clothing. SLIP, SLOP, SLAP, SEEK and SLIDE. I also love the way children are encouraged to take water with them when doing outdoor activities.
Many friends born in the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s (all Baby Boomers) have had numerous surgeries to remove all types of skin cancer and sadly my brother in law died from melanoma cancer at just 70 years of age.
I learnt the hard way about protecting my skin. Today I would NOT go outside without wearing SPF 50+, a hat and protective clothing.
I have had various cosmetic treatments to diminish the effects of sun damage and one surgery to remove a cancer on my head. This is costly and still only minimal improvements.
However that doesn’t mean I will not do everything possible to prevent any further damage and slow down the effects of aging on my face and skin.
I have researched some of the best ways to slow down further skin damage. These include:
- Sunscreen SPF 50+
- Limit sun exposure during peak sun exposure hours. Most weather apps show the UV Index on a daily basis and the times to avoid sun exposure
- Protective clothing – long-sleeved shirts, long pants, broad brim hats and sunglasses
- Daily moisturising
- Drink plenty of water to maintain hydration
- Cleansing face and body with moisturising gel or lotion and warm water
- Stop smoking
- Manage stress
- Healthy diet
- Most importantly, regular skin checks.
Most dermatologists recommend a consistent skin care routine that does not necessarily require expensive products. I have included some links below if you are interested in more detailed, current information and research on skin care.
I listened to a recent podcast by Peter Attia Drive. It’s lengthy but you can listen to the parts that interest you the most. Keys interests for me was the use of retinols. I use a prescription product called ReTreive with 0.05% Tretinin. It is $75 but lasts for 6-8 months as you use only a small amount. Use of Vitamin C serums, daily washing of face and applying moisturiser and using mineral sunscreen are some of my other tips.
Jaxon Lane – Skincare for Baby Boomers
Zoe – Science and Nutrition, Slow skin aging, three biggest myths about anti aging.
Peter Attia- The Drive #355 Skincare, facial aging and intervention.
As I journey on the road to being a healthy centenarian I want to look after my self inside and outside. Sure I can never stop the aging process but I will do my best to minimise and slow down the process. And its never too late to start!
My dear uncle lived to 99. He had amazing skin and hardly a wrinkle. I asked his secret to his great skin. He replied – “I wash away the wrinkles with a warm face cloth every morning. Then I look in the mirror and think the older I get the younger and better looking I become” . Priceless
Till next time – ‘Keep on Rocking and Rolling’
Kim
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