It’s Not Your Age Showing…continued
Right about the time we hit 30, our
bodies reduce the production of collagen, which
causes skin to become saggy and wrinkled. But
like unused muscles that can be rebuilt with the
right exercise program, collagen production can
be stimulated by topical prescription skin care,
allowing the healing process to begin.
Dr. Obagi offers the following
advice for optimum skin health:
Your best line of
defense against sun damage is prevention.
Begin teaching children as young as three
and four years of age about the
importance of sunscreen and lead by
example.
Buy sunscreen that
contains zinc oxide and look for the one
with the highest concentration –
these offer the best broad spectrum
protection. Don’t associate these
new zinc oxide formulations with the
thick white creams of the past, most
frequently associated with life
guard’s noses. New formulations of
zinc oxide are nearly transparent and
provide the best sun protection from UVA
rays, which are associated with premature
aging. Zinc oxide works both by
reflecting and absorbing the sun’s
ultra-violet rays (UVA and UVB).
If you are in
direct sunlight reapply the sunscreen
every two to three hours, otherwise a
daily application before leaving the
house is sufficient.
Avoid unnecessary
sun exposure, especially during the sun's
peak hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). This
applies to all outdoor activities:
athletics, shopping, picnicking, walking
or jogging, gardening, even waiting for a
bus.
Sunscreen
protection is not just for the summer.
UVA rays are the same strength year
round, making a stronger case for using
sunscreen on a daily basis. UVA rays,
like those used in tanning salons, were
once considered “safe rays,”
but research has demonstrated a link to
immune system damage, leading to skin
cancer.
Seek treatment
sooner rather than later. Visiting a
board-certified dermatologist on an
annual basis can mean the difference
between a topical treatment and more
aggressive therapies.
As the skin begins
to respond to treatment and improvement
is noticed it is important to maintain
the steps that were taken to restore the
skin to a healthier and younger looking
state.
Courtesy of ARA Content
EDITOR’S NOTE:
Dr. Obagi is a researcher, innovator, scientist
and board-certified dermatologist, who has
dedicated his career to developing transformation
techniques for restoring damaged skin to a
younger and healthier state. His Nu-Derm System
transforms the skin’s cellular function,
making the skin look and act younger and
healthier by triggering a “Therapeutic
Cascade.” The Nu-Derm System is available
exclusively through plastic surgeons and
dermatologists, and is physician prescribed and
monitored.
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