The phases of aging in the face are inevitable at times. If we learn more about the process of our changing face, perhaps we can make better decisions in maintaining our daily skincare routines.

20’s

In this age range, skin is typically in overall good health. On average there is usually no wrinkles or lines, but you may begin the development of sun spots. Regular maintenance checkups with your dermatologist for preventive care annually is recommended even if you don’t believe you have any skin issues.

Basic skin care regimen should include the following:

• Wash face twice daily (AM/PM) with gentle cleanser
• AM apply antioxidant serum for prevention against free radicals, pollutants, and damaging UVA/UVB rays.
• AM apply daily moisturizer with SPF 30 or higher
• AM/PM apply eye serum or cream twice daily to keep this sensitive area well hydrated and to protect against wrinkling and puffiness.
• PM apply a retinoid/vitamin A cream to assist in more rapid cell turnover which keeps your skin looking bright, fresh, and even toned.The late 20s is an appropriate time to start thinking about preventative Botox! The earlier you begin, the less you will need it over time as your muscles will learn not to contract as much thus causing wrinkles where we do not want them (i.e frown lines in between brows, crow’s feet around the eyes, and forehead wrinkles).

Other quarterly or monthly skincare treatments to consider at this age include:

• Peels such as Glycolic/Salicylic acid,
• Microdermabrasion
• Mild laser treatments to assist in diminishing dark spots, brightening of dull skin tones, soften acne scarring, and helping with enlarged pores.

30’s

In your 30s is generally when you start to see fine lines and wrinkles and your skin becomes duller, maybe even showing more static wrinkles of the forehead, crow’s feet, and glabella (between the brows). Mild volume loss of the midface, folds between your nose, and corners of your mouth (smile lines) can become more prominent.

Basic skincare regimen should include the following:

• Wash face twice daily. Start to use face wash with AHAs (Alpha hydroxy acids) – i.e. lactic acid, glycolic acid, etc. – to help brighten the skin, prevent dryness and moisture loss, and to overall assist in preventing signs of aging
• AM apply antioxidant serum for prevention against free radicals, pollutants, and damaging UVA/UVB rays, followed by moisturizer/sunscreen of at least SPF 30 or higher **Tip: serums with growth factors and peptides are great to regularly stimulate collagen
• AM/PM eye cream or seruм
• PM apply a retinol/vitamin A cream, followed by moisturizer
• Maintain Botox treatments, with possible addition of dermal fillers in areas of the face that are losing volume such as cheeks and naos-labial folds (smile lines)

Other skincare treatments to think about in this age range include:

• Lasers such as Fraxel or IPL to address textural irregularities, acne scarring, dark spots, and broken capillaries/diffuse redness,
• Micro needling to encourage new collagen production
• Monthly Facial treatments (massages, microcurrent, radiofrequency)

40’s

Within this age range, you may start to notice more dark spots and deeper expression lines. Skin starts to look more tired, is rougher and drier, and loses more of its elasticity.

Basic skincare regimen should include the following:

• Wash face twice daily (AM/PM) with gentle cleanser (more of the necessary active ingredients will be added in via serums and creams instead of in a facewash)
• AM apply antioxidant serum for prevention
• AM ideally you should be using a serum of Hyaluronic Acid for MOISTURE (if not already added into your antioxidant serum), of course always followed by a sunscreen SPF30 or higher
• AM/PM eye cream or serum with PEPTIDES & GROWTH FACTORS
• PM apply a retinoid/vitamin A cream, followed by moisturizer. In this age range particularly, a moisturizer that is very rich and that contains ceramides which are crucial to restoring and protecting the moisture barrier of the skin. This rich moisturizer may be used twice daily if tolerated.

Consideration of skin tightening procedures at this age are the focus! We want to keep the skin taught and maintain facial structure. “Maintaining the foundation”.

Treatments to think about:

• Micro needling with Radiofrequency
• Ultrasound technology such as “HIFU”
• Other radiofrequency technologies

50’s +

Maintenance, Maintenance, Maintenance! All along we are maintaining, but this is the time to really get into a regimen and stick to it. The overall focus will be on maintaining skincare, regular Neurotoxin (Botox, Dysport, Xeomin) injections, fine tuning if needed with dermal fillers, skin resurfacing with lasers, and plastic surgery consideration!

Basic skincare regimen should include the following:

• Wash face twice daily. Use face wash with AHAs, LHA, glycolic acid, etc
• AM apply antioxidant serum for prevention, plus moisture agent such as Hyaluronic Acid and/or rich moisture cream with ceramides, followed by sunscreen SPF 50+
• AM/PM eye cream or serum with PEPTIDES & GROWTH FACTORS. *PM may substitute day eye cream for an eye cream specifically formulated with retinoid/Vitamin A to further assist in diminishing fine lines and wrinkles around the eyes
• PM apply a retinoid/vitamin A cream, followed by rich moisturizer

Recommended Treatments

• Importance of Neurotoxin injections every 3-4 months for crow’s feet, frown lines, and forehead (just to name the common major areas of concern)
• Dermal fillers if needed every 6-9 months for areas of depleted volume such as cheeks, lips, chin area, hands, etc.
• Laser treatments if necessary for dark spots, broken capillaries, rosacea, veins, fine lines and wrinkles
• Last but certainly not least, consultation with your plastic surgeon to discuss aesthetic concerns that could benefit from surgical intervention.