When you were a kid, the signs of getting old were almost a badge of honour. You started shaving your legs, wearing a bra, and even got excited when you had your first period – oh, how quickly we learn. Now you’re a little older and wiser, the signs of ageing aren’t quite as exciting as they once were. In fact, ageing skin is one sign of getting old that you don’t want ahead of schedule. Some women have strong anti-ageing wellness, and so won’t notice their skin become wrinkly until, say, their 40s. However, some women see these signs much earlier, so we spoke to consulting dermatologist and cosmetologist Dr Geetanjali Shetty to find out what you can do to prevent premature ageing.
1. Why Does Premature Ageing Happen? ‘Premature ageing of the skin cannot be attributed to just one cause,’ Dr Shetty notes. ‘Various environmental, hormonal and physiological factors have a profound effect on the skin. However, exposure to the sun’s UVA rays causes the maximum damage. UVA rays penetrate deepest into the skin and are often referred to as ‘ageing rays’. In high doses, these rays can cause darkening and pigmentation of the skin and accelerate the ageing process by damaging the underlying collagen, thus making the skin appear scaly, dry, wrinkled and leathery with dark patches. Other contributory factors include stress, lack of sleep and smoking.’
2. What Are the Signs of Prematurely Aged Skin? According to Dr Shetty, ‘Most of the damage is visible but one may not be in a position to judge properly as the signs are very similar to regular skin wear and tear. For example, damage due to UVA ray exposure can lead to spider veins on the face, age spots, leathery skin, fine wrinkles that appear only when stretched. A blotchy complexion and actinic keratosis (those rough, reddish patches of skin seen mostly around the temples and cheeks) are also indicators of premature ageing.’
3. How Can You Avoid Prematurely Ageing Skin? Dr Shetty advises, ‘If you are stepping out in the sun, a sunscreen, regardless of the season, is very important for the health of your skin. It should be used daily by all individuals, including children, all through the year, with other sun-safety steps for optimal sun protection. Sunscreens should be applied liberally and evenly so as not to miss any areas of sun-exposed skin. Skin that is not protected by an efficient sunscreen allows UVA rays to penetrate the outer layer of the skin which may even cause problems like skin cancer…Make sure that you get at least six to seven hours of sleep daily, eat a balanced diet, avoid smoking and consume alcohol in moderation. Avoid making too many facial expressions as the lines get permanent. Also avoid sleeping on your side with your face cheek to the pillow. This can cause wrinkles over time.’
4. What Can You Do If You Already Have Prematurely Ageing Skin? ‘If the damage to your skin is already done, and lines are already visible, there is still help at hand,’ Dr Shetty soothes. ‘Skin can be rejuvenated by adding line-plumping moisture to hydrate and replenish it. When shopping for anti-ageing products, look for ingredients that have the stamp of approval of dermatologists and that are clinically proven to effectively prevent the formation of wrinkles, such as Retinol SA. Retinol (Vitamin A) is what keeps skin supple and smooth, but it breaks down and becomes ineffective when exposed to air. A stabilised form of retinol, like Retinol SA (sustained action) will be more effective in evening out the skin tone and texture. Retinol SA works to continuously renew the look of skin throughout the day helping to smooth wrinkles faster and diminish the look of age spots…It is advisable to start using an effective anti-ageing product when you enter your 40s, to avoid the signs of ageing.’
