Treating premature skin aging with aesthetic approach

By Dr. Harsha Jayakody

“Looking older for your age” is often an indicator of poor health. If your biological age (which refers to your outward appearance and cellular age) exceeds your chronological age (which is the number of years from your birth) you may look older than your actual age. Skin being the barrier between the exterior and interior environment, all environmental factors contribute to the premature aging of the skin. Since your skin is a dynamic organ, signs of aging obviously show up very early on your skin.

Let’s look at the features of premature skin aging. The aging process works differently for everyone but there are some common signs of premature aging. These include; age spots, hyperpigmentation along the chest and neck, wrinkles, and hair loss. With prolonged exposure to the sun, areas like your face, chest, and forearm develop small dark areas which are called “age spots”. These are tan or dark brown flat oval areas which are also called “sun spots” or “liver spots”. When it is seen before the age of 50, it is considered a sign of premature skin aging.

Many people develop patchy discoloration on their chest as they get older and this is called hyperpigmentation along the chest and neck. This is common with all types of skin. As you age, the production of collagen and elastin within your skin is decreased, making your skin more fragile and less elastic. This causes lines and creases called wrinkles in the forehead area, around the eyes, mouth, and neck. Hair loss is also a sign of premature skin aging, which happens as stem cells which trigger new hair growth in your hair follicles die off.

It is also important to understand the causes of premature skin aging. Prolonged exposure to sunlight makes Ultraviolet (UV) rays penetrate the skin and damage DNA within cells. It also affects the connective tissue layer of the skin which consists of Collagen and Elastin, breaking down those proteins. Cigarette smoking is another cause of premature skin aging as oxidative stress causes dryness, wrinkles, and hyperpigmentation. Repeated vigorous usage of facial muscles may also lead to premature aging in certain professions like film actors and actresses. Repeated exposure to stress, disturbed sleep, and unhealthy diet habits may also aggravate the skin aging process.

Over the last few decades, scientists have been focussing on the aesthetics of aging. They emphasised cosmetic anti-aging therapies and reverse aging. With the backing of evidence-based medicine, modern aesthetic therapies are increasingly becoming popular among the people overcoming the conventional treatment modalities.

We at MyCosmeticClinic.lk use the latest aesthetic procedures to treat skin aging. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatment is one of the minimal invasive natural treatment methods which is safe and beneficial against skin aging. This treatment modality aggravates new collagen synthesis and reduces collagen breakdown in our skin, which naturally smoothens and tightens the skin. It also softens the wrinkles and gives a smooth skin texture which gives a younger and healthier look to the skin.

Mesotherapy and microneedling treatments cause Elastic Fibre Remodelling in the skin giving a younger appearance to the skin. It aggravates natural healing by correcting problematic areas of the face. Especially the age spots, hyperpigmented areas are corrected at MyCosmeticClinic.lk using this method of treatment.

Phototherapy is also used at our clinic to treat antiaging as different wavelengths are absorbed by the epidermis layer of the skin and give a smoother, fuller appearance to the skin reducing dark spots and the wrinkles. Photorejuvenation is a safe and noninvasive method to get back your younger appearance.

All of us dream about having a younger and healthier skin despite our age. But with busy lifestyles and unhygienic practices most of us are facing premature skin aging. If you have any of the above signs in your skin, it is best to consult a qualified doctor and get advice or treatment before it is too late.

(The writer is a Cosmetic Physician. He holds an MBBS (Sri Lanka), MBA (Malaysia), MSc (Sri Lanka), and is a Member of American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine (AAAM).)