7 Visible Signs of Premature Skin Aging & How to Treat Them

Aesthetics Daily – Aging is a natural process that everyone must experience as they get older. However, aging can accelerate which occurs in many younger people under 35 years old. Their skin looks older and duller than it should be. One part of the body that is prone to premature aging is the face.

Of course, premature facial aging will interfere with one’s appearance and most likely affect also his/her self-confidence. The skin that was previously smooth and tight turns rough and sagging. If this happens to your face, then you need to immediately anticipate and take action to reduce it.

Main Causes of Premature Skin Aging

The collagen and elastin in the skin can break down over time. This results in a gradual decrease in skin elasticity and firmness. Fine lines begin to appear and can turn into wrinkles if the skin is not treated immediately.

There are various factors that cause premature aging to appear more visible on your skin including:

• UV radiation,
• Repetitive facial contractions,
• Poor sleeping position,
• Alcohol consumption,
• Smoking habits,
• Diet,
• Environmental pollutants.

Common Symptoms of Premature Skin Aging

1. Fine lines begin to appear

Often, one of the early signs of aging is visible fine lines around the eyes, forehead, and mouth as well as other areas. These shallow lines tend to be along the lines of expression that appear when you laugh, smile or frown.

Dermal structure changes, especially collagen depletion, causing the formation of fine lines. As we age, the collagen that provides support for supple skin decreases. This affects the appearance of the face characterized by sagging skin and fine lines. To prevent fine lines, you need to use sunscreen whenever you go outside.

For those of you who want to get rid of fine lines, there are several treatment options ranging from using skin care products to undergoing treatments at aesthetic clinics. You can choose several non-surgical treatments to get rid of fine lines as follows:

• Intense pulsed light (IPL),
• Hydrafacial,
• Chemical peels,
• Dermabrasion,
• Laser skin resurfacing.

2. The thinning of skin layers

Thin skin will tear easily, bruise or break easily. This is a condition that is common in older adults. Typically, thin skin is most visible on the face, arms, and hands. The thinness of the skin makes blood vessels, infections, tendons, and capillaries easily visible beneath the surface of the skin. Thin skin that is often associated with aging can be caused by UV exposure, genetic factors, and the use of certain drugs.

The skin is composed of many layers, one of which is the middle layer called dermis. The thick, fibrous dermis tissue is made of elastin and collagen, accounting for 90 percent of the skin’s thickness.

The thinning of the dermis causes the skin to become thinner so that the skin loses its flaws and elasticity. Genetic factors also affect how much collagen is produced. As age increases the cell renewal slow down, leading to thinning of the skin in the facial area.

The cell renewal process is essential for overall skin rejuvenation. If this process decreases, the skin is no longer firms and elastic. Treatments for thin skin include:

• Dermal filler,
• Dermal roller,
• Laser skin rejuvenation,
• Intense pulsed light (IPL).

3. The skin becomes dry and rough

Scaly, itchy, rough, and cracked skin will certainly make you feel uncomfortable. Dry and rough skin can affect any part of the body, especially the hands, feet and arms. Usually, dry skin is not a really serious problem. But sometimes, dry skin happens so often that it requires a special treatment.

Anyone can be affected by dry skin, especially those who are 40 years old or older. In addition, the factor of very cold weather can also trigger dry skin to develop. If you take too long or frequent hot showers, dry skin can affect you. In addition, people with certain skin conditions such as psoriasis or eczema are prone to be affected by dry skin.

You can do various kinds of treatments to treat dry skin, using a moisturizer is one of them. If that is not enough or the dry skin gets worse, then you need to find the nearest dermatologist in your city. The doctors may recommend some of these treatments:

• LED light therapy,
• Microdermabrasion.
• Medical-grade peels.

4. The appearance of sunspots

Also called age spots and liver spots, sunspots are flat brown spots that develop on areas of the body frequently exposed to sunlight. Although they are harmless and non-cancerous, age spots can often irritate people so that they want to get rid of them for facial aesthetic reasons.

Pigment cells are what causes liver spots to appear. UV rays accelerate the production of melanin, the natural pigment that gives skin its color. Age spots, which are a type of hyperpigmentation are usually very common in adults over 50.

However, younger people are at risk of getting age spots if they spend a lot of time in the sun. Body parts that usually get sunspots include the face, shoulders, arms, and hands. People with light skin and a history of intense sun exposure are prone to age spots.

Those who don’t want to have age spots on their skin can try a variety of treatments on their own or performed by a professional dermatologist. You can use natural ingredients or topical creams as an at-home treatment to get rid of age spots. While in a skin clinic, there are several professional treatments including:

• Laser resurfacing,
• Chemical peels,
• Cryotherapy,
• Intense pulsed light (IPL),
• Microneedling,
• Microdermabrasion.

5. The appearance of facial wrinkles

In contrast to fine lines which tend to be shallow and closer to the surface of the skin, wrinkles appear deeper. Many fine lines, as we age, develop into wrinkles as the skin loses its firmness and elasticity. The face is the part of the body which is more prone to getting wrinkles because it has the most exposure to the sun and environmental aggressors.

The most common types of facial wrinkles include smile lines, forehead lines, and crow’s feet. Everyone can have one or more of these wrinkle types. Smile lines, also known as marionette lines, generally form on the side of the mouth that are associated with a smile and a laugh.

Meanwhile forehead lines, or frown lines, are horizontal lines along the forehead and vertical lines between the eyebrows. Crow’s feet are the lines that form around the outer corner of the eye.

To help reduce wrinkles on the face, you can use prescription drugs such as topical retinoids, for example. Another treatment option is an anti wrinkle cream with ingredients such as retinol, anti-oxidants, and peptides. If you go to a skin clinic, the doctor who diagnoses your skin may recommend:

• Photodynamic therapy (PDT),
• Laser skin resurfacing,
• Chemical peels,
• Dermabrasion,
• Microdermabrasion,
• Intense pulsed light (IPL).

6. The skin becomes loose

The reduced amount of collagen and elastin in the skin coupled with the loss of skin elasticity causes the skin to sag. Sagging skin will be prominent in the jaw area, under the chin, and upper arms. Everyone can have loose skin especially as they age. People who lose significant amounts of weight may also develop sagging skin.

Exposure to UV rays and environmental pollutants as well as unhealthy lifestyles cause sagging skin to come faster than it should. Women in the postnatal period, people with certain skin conditions such as granulomatous slack skin, and people with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS) can develop sagging skin. Depending on your skin conditions, there are many treatment options that you can try.

Beauty clinics that use the latest technology have several invasive and non-invasive treatments that help reduce sagging skin. These types of treatments include:

• Radio Frequency (RF),
• Laser skin tightening,
• Ultrasound.

7. Enlarged facial pores

Repeated and prolonged sun exposure results in enlarged pores. At the same time, the skin loses its elasticity as we age. In addition, acne and excess sebum production, use of noncomedogenic makeup can potentially cause enlarged pores.

To deal with large pores associated with oily skin, you need to clean your face using a gel-based cleanser. While normal and dry skin can use creamy cleansers. You can also use clay masks to help remove oil, dirt, and dead skin deep in the pores.

If you decide to see a professional dermatologist, you will get a more thorough treatment. Some aesthetic treatments that your doctor may recommend include:

• Carbon laser peels,
• Laser skin resurfacing,
• Chemical peels.

How to Prevent Premature Skin Aging?

You certainly don’t want your facial beauty to decrease because of the appearance of symptoms of premature aging on your face. In order to get rid of premature aging, you need to take various kinds of prevention. You need to eat healthy foods and drink enough water as well as reduce stress.

If you leave the house, don’t forget to wear a sunscreen with SPF 30 to protect your skin from ultraviolet radiation. In addition, you need to exercise regularly to improve blood circulation while increasing the body’s immune system. Take care of your face by washing it diligently and using a facial moisturizer so that your skin is always well hydrated.