Acne: How to Have Clear, Beautiful Skin at Any Age, article by Lisa Benest, MD

Most people are born with a beautiful complexion. However, what you do and how you take care of yourself and your skin will affect how you appear.

A generation ago, drooping, sagging and wrinkling were commonly equated with the then-current understanding of aging. A woman of 40 or 50 literally was expected to look weathered, Today, it is know that the conditions frequently associated with aging are not the result of genetic or hormonal programming - otherwise known as intrinsic factors. They actually are primarily the result of the opposite, called extrinsic factors. The most significant of these is – you guessed it – exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays. Other extrinsic influences include environmental pollution, stress and nutritional choices. Even commonly observed phenomena, such as the breakdown of collagen and elastic in the skin that is concurrent with menopause, largely may be the result of free radical assault – which is extrinsic – rather than purely the decline of estrogen production, as once assumed.

The current medical thinking today is that if humans ate healthfully, were sheltered from environmental toxins, got adequate exercise and rest, and spent most of their live indoors and away from the sun, their skin would look and feel plump, moist, firm and unlined well into the 60’s and 70’s. But is this anyone’s idea of fun?!!

Is it ever too late to start an anti-aging lifestyle? Absolutely not!! There are many changes that one can do in order to reverse the aging process. Remember that age is in many ways a state of mind. Here are a few of the changes one can make to their lifestyle:

Activation of the immune system – due to an infection, allegen or toxin – can lead to an internal inflammation at the cellular level. Poor nutrition, too little sleep, and radiation (including sunlight) are common culprits of low-grade inflammation, which as been linked to arthritis, wrinkles, cancer, Alzheimer’s disease and heart disease.
Lifestyle: What we eat (too much sugar, fat, sodium), drink (too many sodas, juices and caffeinated beverages), do (get overstressed, work too much), don’t do (exercise or sleep enough) and what we expose ourselves to can either speed up or slow down the aging process and the development of chronic disease.
Hormones: Levels of estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, thyroid and/or human growth hormone drop as we age. But by increasing these all-important biochemials, it may be possible to improve health and forestall the aging process. A controversial approach, hormone therapy requires oversight by an experienced physician.
Anti-Oxidants: As we get older, we’re more subject to oxidative stress, the byproduct of free-radical damage, a natural process in which unstable molecules disrupt cell and tissue function. Antioxidants such as Vitamin A, C, E and others can help protect cells.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Recent studies show that 99% of Americans do not get enough in their diet. Symptoms of omega-3 deficiency include fatigue, dry skin, brittle hair and nails, constipation and joint pain. Sound familiar? We all know that omega-3 can be found in salmon, but supplements are another way to get your daily dose.

No matter how many candles on our birthday cakes, we want to age as healthfully and happily as possible.

Dr Lisa Benest has been practicing general and cosmetic dermatology in Burbank, California for over 9 years. She can be reached at:
1624 W. Olive Ave #B
Burbank, CA 91506
818-729-9149
www.lisabenestmd.com

For permission to reprint this article in full or in part, contact info2006@lisabenestmd.com