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Preserving
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Preventing and reversing the effects of age Miracle cures are usually too good to be true, especially when it comes to the aging process. However, recent medical studies have shown that vitamins A and C and alpha hydroxy acids can slow and, in some cases, even reverse changes in aging skin. Skin creams containing these substances have a positive effect on wrinkles, age spots and skin cancer formation. What this means is that old-appearing skin can look great once again, and young skin can stay that way. What makes skin look so old? If you are concerned that wrinkles and skin sagging are simply what you get for growing old, there is good news. These unwelcome conditions are caused by loss of collagen in the skin, which occurs with aging, as well as with sun exposure. The good news is that skin creams containing vitamins A and C actually help rebuild skin collagen. Vitamins A and C to the rescue Products such as Retin A contain vitamin A in the form of retinoids, and have been used for years to reverse wrinkles, remove dark spots and improve scars. These work by building collagen in the skin. Recent studies also show that retinoids also substantially reduce your risk of skin cancer. The disadantage of retinoids is that they can irritate your skin, and are also somewhat expensive. However, newer formulas are much less irritating. Numerous studies have also shown vitamin C to have effects similar to those of vitamin A. This relative newcomer to skin treatment has several additional benefits to vitamin A. Vitamin C also reduces the incidence of solar purpura, which are the large bruises that can appear on the arms during old age. In addition, vitamin C does not cause skin irritation and is much less expensive than vitamin A. The myth of vitamin E Unlike vitamins A and C, vitamin E is of no use for skin treatment. When used as an application for wound healing or scar prevention, vitamin E does not seem to penetrate the skin significantly. In fact, vitamin E actually retards healing of wounds when applied to the skin, which aggravates scarring. Skin cream containing vitamin C, however, has been proven successful in these applications. Alpha hydroxy acids and peels Other effective collagen builders are alpha hydroxy acids, which are found in milk, fruits and other natural sources. Although alpha hydroxy acids do not reduce occurrence of skin cancer, they make excellent moisturizers. They can also be used as skin peeling agents, which work quickly to reverse sun damage and the effects of aging. Since there are many different varieties of alpha hydroxy acids, in varying strengths, be sure to ask Dr. Caldwell or his staff about them. They can make a recommendation that will work best for your personal skin type. The sun is your skin's enemy As much as you may enjoy getting out in the sun, there is simply nothing worse for your skin. Sun exposure destroys the collagen in your skin, and besides causing cosmetic damage can also lead to skin cancer. When you do go out in the sun, minimize your exposure by covering your skin and using sunscreen correctly. Sunscreen with an SPF of 45-50 works best, and should be applied approximately 30 minutes before exposure to the sun. It is also important to reapply sunscreen. |
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