Anti Aging Skin Treatments - Some Information

To keep your skin looking young and free from lines and wrinkles it is best to find the skin care treatment that is right for your skin and use it routinely. There are many, many anti-wrinkle and anti aging skin treatments on the market and finding an effective one that suits your skin may take some time (and money!)

The first thing to so is to find out what type of skin you have and what its current condition is. Is your skin dry or oily? It may be a combination. Now think about the health of your skin and its age. A young skin or a skin that has few lines and wrinkles will better respond to light treatments or lotions, an older, more heavily wrinkled skin will need a more intense anti aging skin treatment.

There are also a range of different ingredients added to anti aging skin treatments that may or may not be effective. There are some that have been proven clinically to have an effect on lines and wrinkles but unfortunately there are also some that have no proven effect. How can you tell the difference and be sure that you are purchasing an effective anti aging skin treatment? We've put together some information on anti aging ingredients below to help you.

What Doesn't work?

Collagen

Collagen is a component of the deeper layers of the skin where it supports it and prevents lines and wrinkling. If the collagen is damaged, through sun or other environmental factors the skin is not supported firmly and starts to sag. Collagen is a large molecule and cannot enter the skins top layers if placed on the surface. Collagen added to face creams therefore will have no effect on wrinkles and lines.

Expensive creams and lotions

For anti aging skin treatments it is not necessarily true that the more expensive the more effective. Over the counter creams and lotions all contain about the same amount of active ingredient so paying more is not going to make a difference to the effect you will see.

What Does Work?

Anti aging skin treatments containing retinol (over the counter) or tretinoin (available on prescription) have been clinically proven to have an effect on fine lines and wrinkles. Retinol is less effective than tretinoin but over time can decrease lines and wrinkles significantly.

Coenzyme Q10 has been shown to have an effect on the fine lines around the eyes. It also protects the skin from the damaging effects of the sun.

Copper peptides stimulate the production of collagen and help to heal wounds and are effective anti oxidants.

A Caution

Anti aging skin treatments containing retinol or tretinoin increase the skin's sensitivity to the sun so either use them at night before bed or, if you do use them in the day, always use a high factor sunscreen as well. You may experience some redness or irritation when you first use these treatments. this is normal and should go in a day or two. If it continues for longer than this discontinue using the product.

How long does it take to see an effect?

With any anti aging skin treatment don't expect overnight miracles. You should see some effects after using the treatment daily for about eight weeks. After a few months you should see significant improvements in the number and depth of lines and wrinkles.

Anti Aging Skin Treatments Containing Glycolic Acid

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHA) are found in fruit and milk and one in particular, glycolic acid, has been found to be beneficial for use in anti aging skin treatments. AHA's have been used traditionally for a very long time to moisturise, exfoliate and soften the skin. Glycolic acid has been shown in many studies to have a beneficial effect on facial lines and wrinkles and is also an excellent moisturiser. It works in three ways by reducing inflammation, loosening dead cells so that they are easily removed and effectively moisturising the skin.

The glycolic acid that is present in anti aging skin treatments is extracted from sugar cane and is a very small molecule, in fact the smallest of the AHA's. This is what makes it such a good agent for anti aging creams as it is small enough to penetrate deeply into the skin and loosen the bonds that keep the dead cells attached. The cells can be removed easily to leave the skin looking fresh and youthful.

Glycolic acid is sold in a number of different anti aging skin treatments including creams, lotions, serums and gels and is often packaged in a complete system including neutralisers and moisturisers. It is also a good product to deal with the damage that can result from acne.

Glycolic Acid Peels

Although products containing glycolic acid are effective if you need more drastic treatment you may consider a glycolic acid peel. Glycolic acid peels contain a much higher concentration than the lotions and serums and when applied to the skin causes the top layer to blister and 'peel' away. Peels containing AHA's including glycolic acid are the mildest of the chemical peels and are available over the counter. If you have never used a glycolic acid peel before it is advisable to consult a dermatologist or other health care practitioner first to make sure the product you are using is suitable for your skin's type and sensitivity. Glycolic acid containing peels are used for treating wrinkles, dark pigmentation (age spots) and dry areas. they can also be used for the treatment of acne damaged skin.

Side Effects

All anti aging skin treatments can have mild to more severe side effects depending on the sensitivity of your skin. Most lotions and creams containing glycolic acid are safe to use and may give some redness or irritation to the skin that may last for up to two day. Glycolic acid peels are more drastic and redness, itching and irritation may last longer.

In addition if you use glycolic acid lotions or peels in combination with retinol containing products the effects of the peel can be increased so take care when using this combination.

Choose an Anti Aging Skin Treatment to Suit Your Skin Type

If you are choosing an anti aging skin treatment then you need to first decide what type of skin you have so that you can choose an appropriate product. Anti-aging skin care products may contain retinol and/or anti oxidants as well as other ingredients that may not be proven to have any beneficial effects. Collagen for example is useless in anti aging creams as it is unable to penetrate the top layers of the skin.

Anti aging skin treatments are available in creams. lotions, serums, masks, toners and moisturisers for dry, oily or combination skins. Determine your skin type using the following guidelines then choose an appropriate product.

Normal Skin Types - If you are lucky enough to have a normal skin type you are producing just enough sebum to keep the skin lubricated and soft. Normal skin needs hydrating, moisturising and toning regularly to keep it in top condition.

Dry Skin Types - Older skins are often dry and appear dull and sometimes flaky. Dry skins have a decrease in the production of sebum that helps to keep the skin lubricated. Dry skin needs regular hydrating with specially formulated moisturisers.

Oily Skin Types - Oily skin is caused by the production of to much sebum and is often found in younger skins. This type of skin often develops pimples and other problems as the pores become clogged with sebum. deep cleaning is necessary to unclog and clogs up pores.

Combination skin Types - Some people have areas of oily skin, often in the centre of the face including the nose, and other areas that are dry. Treat the dry areas with hydrating creams and the oily areas with toners.

Anti Aging Skin Care Treatments for Oily Skin

Oily skin can suffer from blemishes and break outs so needs an anti aging skin cream that cleanses and gently exfoliates the skin. Use a cleaner that includes salicylic acid which can decrease the rate at which sebum is produced. make sure that the anti aging skin treatment you buy is oil free. Use only a very mild moisturiser that is lipid, oil and wax free and formulated especially for oily skin. Clay masks are also very good as anti aging treatments for oily skin.

Anti Aging Skin Care Treatments for Dry Skin

Dry skin needs an anti aging treatment that will not dry out the skin more. A product containing glycolic acid will be suitable as it is an excellent exfoliating agent and moisturiser. In some studies glycolic acid has been shown to increase the natural oil content of the skin more than 200% when used regularly for a few weeks.

Anti Aging Skin Care Treatments for Combination Skin

An anti aging skin treatment for combination skins needs to be balanced to provide hydration in the dry areas and toning in the oily area. there are many products especially formulated for combination skins on the market.

Anti Aging Skin Treatments Containing Retinol

A common ingredient in many over the counter anti aging skin treatments is retinol, a pure form of vitamin A. Unlike some other ingredients advertised as anti aging retinol has been clinically tested and shown to be effective for the reduction and prevention of fine lines and wrinkles. It is also effective in increasing the oils in the skin especially for those over forty. A stronger form of vitamin A called tretinoin is available in prescription only anti aging skin treatments such as Retin-A, Avita, Renova but may cause irritation and redness to those with very sensitive skins.

Glycolic acid and other chemical peels are also used to restore a youthful looking skin but they may leave the skin dry, red, flaky or scaly if the skin is sensitive. In this case a wiser choice would be a milder retinol containing skin care products. Although products with retinol are less effective than those containing tretinoin they are milder and will give good results over a few months with daily use.

How do retinol and other vitamin A derivatives work?

These are small molecules which can easily penetrate the top layer of the skin and reach the deeper levels. Collagen, which supports the skin, and elastin which provides elasticity are present in these deeper levels. As we age and are exposed to the damaging rays of the sun or other environmental pollutants collagen and elastin are damaged resulting in sagging skin with little elasticity. Retinol penetrates to the collagen and elastin and repairs the damage resulting in firmer skin with increased elasticity. Hence a decrease in lines and wrinkles.

Very dry skin can also occur as the skin ages and retinol products are excellent as increasing the natural oils in the skin and so reverse the dryness.

Side effects of using retinol containing anti aging skin treatments

Side effects are usually mild and only last for a day or two. they include redness of the skin, irritation or itching and occasionally stinging. Side effects are higher for products containing tretinoin which should only be used under the care of a dermatologist or other health care provider. Retinol and related products also increase the skins sensitivity to the sun so are best used at night or with a high factor sunscreen.

Anti Aging Skin Treatment Products - Cellex-C

Cellex-C is a famous anti aging skin treatment containing Vitamin C, plus zinc and tyrosine. Does it work? Is vitamin C an effective anti aging ingredient in skin care products?

Studies on Vitamin C

In a study published by the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition in October 2007 stated that vitamin C intake is important in reducing the number of fine lines and wrinkles and the incidence of dry skin related to aging. Vitamin C is necessary for the formation of collagen which is present in the deeper layers of the skin and prevents the skin from sagging. Vitamin C is a powerful anti oxidant and destroys free radicals. It also helps in preventing damage by the UV rays of the sun and helps to firm and repair the skin.

Anti Aging Treatments from Cellex-C

The most famous anti aging skin treatments that contain Vitamin C are the Cellex-C range introduced by Dr. Faxon-Meisner who was at the forefront of the technology to incorporate Vitamin C into skin care treatments. Cellex-C is available in a wide range of skin care products including skin hydration products, firming creams,sunless tanning lotions, moisturisers eyc. Cellex-C was invented by an eminent cell biologist at UW-Madison, Dr Lorraine Meisner who created the product in her home kitchen. Vitamin C is water soluble and breaks down before it can be used effectively. The Cellex-C line of products utilises a form of Vitamin C that is stable. Cellex-C products contain zinc and tyrosine in addition to Vitamin C.

Cellex-C is recommended by many plastic surgeons and dermatologists as being an effective anti aging skin treatment and is the highest selling product of its kind in Australia where the incidence of sun damage to the skin is very high.

Cellex-C is reputed to be used by celebrities and socialites. It is not cheap however as it is one of the most expensive anti aging skin treatments available.

See our full range at Cellex-C Anti Aging Skin Treatments

One of our favorite Cellex-C products is the two step starter kit.


Click here for more information on the CellexC Two Step Starter Kit
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Cellex-C Anti Aging Skin Treatments

One of the most famous range of anti aging skin treatments, all Cellex-C products contain Vitamin C plus zinc and tyrosine. They are available in a wide range of gels, creams, lotions, serums, eye masks. For more information on the use of vitamin C as an anti aging ingredient and Cellex-C see Anti Aging Skin Treatment Products - Cellex-C

Anti Aging Skin Treatment Products

We've found a selection of the best anti aging creams for you to browse through and find the one that is best suited to your skin and your budget! Don't forget that the cost has very little bearing on the effectiveness of the anti aging skin treatment. Find out what active ingredients are present in the product you are interested in and at what concentrations.