Defying Ageing- by Dr Jastinder Gill
Ageing is inevitable, it is bound to take place. What is essential is that we need to take care that we should not look older than our age. Also, we can boost our confidence and self esteem if we can delay the ageing process by a few years...
Ageing is inevitable, it is bound to take place. What is essential is that we need to take care that we should not look older than our age. Also, we can boost our confidence and self esteem if we can delay the ageing process by a few years by taking extra care of ourselves.
Let us first understand the ageing process.
PREVENTIVE CARE: Start your skin care early after consultation with your dermatologist. Get the right advise and follow it. Some right tips are:
MOISTURISATION: Dehydrated and dry skin is more prone to wrinkles, so use a good moisturiser once daily or even more if required. Even people with oily skin should use a moisturiser meant for their skin type atleast once daily.
SUN PROTECTION: Sun rays are the major cause of skin damage, destroying collagen, resulting in pigmentation, age spots and wrinkles. Hence, never miss out on a sunscreen. A SPF 15 sunscreen is good for average Indianskin but if you have sun allergy or blemishes, you could go upto an SPF 25+.Reapply the sunscreen every 3-4 hours as the effect starts waning after 3hours. Sunscreen also protects you from pollution. Try and avoid the sun from 10amto 3pm.
Night creams/Anti-wrinkle creams: These are creams with additional ingredients like alpha hydroxyl acids, retinoid etc. These are helpful is preventing the appearance of wrinkles as they provide extra nourishment to the skin.
Water Intake: Drink plenty of water for good hydration.
Exercise: Include exeitercise in your daily exercise boosts growth hormones, which increases the skin tone and hair growth, increases the energy levels, lowers blood pressure, and improves blood circulation and mental capacity.
Diet: Follow a well balanced diet with two helpings of seasonal fruits and fresh vegetables. A diet rich in antioxidants can fight free radicals which are the major cause of ageing. A healthy diet rich in vitamins like A, C, E, selenium beta-carotene and micronutirents is essential. Do include anti stress nutrients like B complex vitamins (Thiamine, riboflavin,niacin, folic acid, pantothenic acid and biotin).
Vitamin C is essential for collagen production and cellrepair system; do eat Vit C rich foods or take supplements as this Vitamin is washed out and not stored in the body.
What to do once ageing has set in?
When ageing has set in, you need to work under a doctor’s supervision. Alpha hydroxyl acids are good peeling agents which remove the dead upper layers of the skin. The regular use of these improves skin texture, decreases wrinkles and open pores.
Other options are glycolic acid peels, laser rejuvenation, botox and fillers.
Your lifestyle can make you look younger than your age if you adhere to the following points:
Regular skin care routine; well balanced nutritious diet; vitamin supplements; regular exercise; good sleep; mental relaxation/stressfree lifestyle.
(Dr Jastinder Gill is Senior Dermatologist & Cosmetologist, SPS Hospitals and Author of BE BEAUTIFUL.)