By age 40, most women are concerned about the wrinkles they see multiplying around the eyes and mouth, which seems to occur in spite of the use of the wide selection of creams, ointments, lotions, and potions available. The question becomes, “Is this inevitable, or can I do something to slow the aging of my complexion?” If this question has been on your mind – and it should be – read on!
Some skin-aging occurs naturally with the passage of time. However, up to 90 percent of this aging process is caused by exposure to the ultraviolet rays of the sun. Dermatologists call this process “photoaging”. What happens in photoaging? To put it simply, the layers of the skin are slowly and progressively broken down by sunlight. Chronic sun exposure causes the top layer of skin to become rough, scaly, dry, and less flexible. Sun exposure causes drastic thinning of the epidermis, the layer just below the top layer. Thin skin becomes less protective, allowing irritants to enter more freely. Also, thin skin bends much more easily, causing wrinkling. This process actually perpetuates itself because once thinned, your skin admits even more sunlight, causing more thinning and wrinkling: a classic vicious circle!
The use of alpha-hydroxy acids in creams and lotions has revolutionized the treatment of photoaged skin. After only 7 to 10 days of use, a 10% glycolic acid cream produces a noticeable effect on your skin. It feels tighter and smoother and develops a fresh, more youthful look, partly because the cream causes a slight skin peel, and the top layer of dead skin cells is replaced with fresh, young cells provided by the epidermis.
Until retinoic acid and the alpha-hydroxy acids came along, only strict sun avoidance and a large dose of time would heal some of the sun’s damage. Retinoic acid preparations require a doctor’s prescription, but alpha-hydroxy preparations are available without a prescription and give you a powerful weapon against photoaging. However, most brands do not contain enough alpha-hydroxy acid to have much effect on your complexion.
