Gone are the days when turning 40 meant you were considered “over the hill.” Thanks to a whole new societal attitude, more people than ever are celebrating aging and looking their best well into their lives. As far as your 40s go, many people enjoy this new decade with a sense of empowerment and less anxiety about the opinions of others. As Gwyneth Paltrow said, “I think there is this incredible freedom that comes with a woman in her 40s and understanding that this is who I am.”
The only potential downside with turning 40 is the inevitable signs of aging that start to show up. Fine lines and wrinkles seem to pop up overnight, threatening to put a damper on an otherwise positive aging process. Thankfully, there are ways to combat these and even reverse some of the damage that a carefree youth may have caused.
Fighting aging in your 40s is relatively easy with advanced care and we’ve rounded up the best ways to do it. After all, during this decade you’re already a more confident you – shouldn’t you look it too?
Skin and Your 40s
Skin cells are just as impermanent as collagen production, which leads to what is known as “skin cell turn over” occuring in the skin. Fast skin cell turnover is very good for the skin, since it is essentially the process of shedding dead skin cells which are then replaced with brand new ones. Aging brings about a slower skin cell turnover speed, which makes this renewal process much less effective.
Genetics play a major role in the aging process, but there are certain things we can do to slow this process down.
The most common external cause of visible signs of aging is photodamage generated by exposure to ultraviolet radiation. If you’re approaching your 40s, chances are you logged some hours in a lounge chair, coated in tanning oil. Maybe you even had a few sessions in a tanning bed. Current standards in skincare dictate that you wear daily (every single day) sun protection. This practice is recommended for face and neck, and be sure to protect your hands if your work or lifestyle require lots of driving.
Skin Treatments To Combat Aging
Microneedling is a procedure that works to rejuvenate the skin by using tiny needles to create micro-punctures in its surface. What this does is create controlled damage to the skin that will then grow back with renewed cells to replace the damaged ones. Thus, youthful skin is the result.
Chemical peels are administered using a type of acid, such as glycolic acid, that is safe to apply to the skin for a short period of time. This chemical solution dissolves dead skin cells that will then peel superficial layers of the skin, revealing softer skin underneath.
Microdermabrasion use diamond tips that remove a superficial layer of dead skin laying on the top of the skin’s surface. It helps for everything from removing fine lines to dark pigmentation on the skin over time.
Dermaplaning is a type of skin treatment that also exfoliates the skin. It is a lighter way to exfoliate the skin and is most often used to remove unwanted hair, while giving the added benefit of having superficial skin scraped off in the process.
Facials may vary in what is used during the process. Usually an esthetician or other skincare professional at a spa will go over what an individual’s skin care goals are and then develop a customized plan. Depending on what you want, you can have blackheads, wrinkles, uneven skin tone, and anything else treated using a variety of different ingredients.
Light therapy utilizes non-thermal LED lights in a non-invasive manner to trigger the cell process that your body naturally produces in order to repair the skin.
Masks are similar to facials, since they are often a type of cloth or paper that is pre-set with helpful ingredients for skin’s health.
Laser Treatments
MiXto is a type of laser treatment that uses carbon dioxide to resurface the skin’s texture. It is the most advanced technology available for fractional resurfacing and aggressively treats more developed wrinkles and smoker’s lines. MiXto is also exceptional in reducing acne and surgical scars, excess pigment and surface imperfections. This procedure safely and effectively eliminates visible signs of aging to dramatically improve skin’s overall tone and texture.
IPL for red and brown spots is an ideal way to deal with sunspot damage. It is a type of light therapy that works to carefully minimize skin issues.
Laser facials use lasers as a means of providing a lift to the skin, rather than the more traditional type of facial that uses ingredients applied directly to the skin.
Injectables
Botox is a type of injection-based skin care procedure where the protein is injected under the skin’s surface to provide added plumpness.
Juvéderm is a type of filler with a hyaluronic acid base that is also injected under the skin’s surface in order to help improve signs of aging by replacing lost volume.
Kybella is a chemical solution that is injected into trouble areas on the skin to dissolve excess fat. It is often injected under the chin in order to reduce the fat there and improve the appearance of a saggy neck.
Having and maintaining a proper skin care regimen is suggested for anyone who is hoping to maintain the elasticity of their skin as they are aging in their 40s. Proper skincare is a must for those who have problematic skin to begin with, but of course even those who have always had clear skin will reap the benefits of keeping their skin in better shape over the span of their life.
It is inevitable that age will catch up with us due to a natural decrease in collagen production as we grow. Thankfully, there are countless procedures and processes that can help maintain the youthfulness of skin over a longer period of time.