THE ANTI-AGEING INDUSTRY IS DUE TO BE WORTH $93 BILLION BY 2027. WE ARE ALL EQUAL IN OUR QUEST TO MAINTAIN YOUTHFUL LOOKS THROUGH THE DECADES, AND WE ARE NOT AFRAID TO PART WITH OUR CASH TO IMPROVE OUR APPEARANCE DUE TO SKIN CHANGES DURING THE AGEING PROCESS.

When it comes to skin ageing, there’s not much we can do to completely stop the process, it is a sad inevitability! However, it is worth understanding how, when and why your skin ages and what we can do to slow down the process, or try to smooth it over!

What causes our skin to age? Lines, wrinkles, and age spots are caused by the gradual accumulation of damage to cells and their internal structures over time. Experts agree that skin ageing typically begins in the late twenties, starting around age 25. At this stage, collagen production starts to slow, leading to a gradual loss of skin elasticity.

While we know we can’t reverse the clock, establishing some routines for early prevention can be crucial to save face as we age. By taking steps early on, you can actually slow the ageing process and maintain healthier skin for longer, and these are inexpensive and achievable for all!

Let’s look at what happens to your skin through the decades from the youthful bouncy 20’s glow through to post-menopausal skin in your 60’s and beyond.

YOUTHFUL SKIN IN YOUR 20S

Your 20s are all about maintaining and protecting the skin for the future, and here is the crucial backbone of protection that will see you well into the future. Skin cell turnover is at its peak, producing plenty of collagen and elastin, which keep your skin plump and firm. However, damage may already be occurring from sun exposure, pollution, hormonal changes, and genetics.

Prevention is key! Do your research to find a really good non-greasy daily SPF that is light and easy to wear so it becomes simply part of your skincare routine. A high strength of at least SPF30, but preferably SPF50, applied daily will help prevent pigmentation and wrinkles; our own SW Protect 50 is a super non-greasy, broad spectrum daily protection, and great under makeup. Focus on addressing any early ageing concerns that may prop up, and adopt a long-term preventative routine. Mild exfoliation like skin peels or Hydrafacials and microneedling treatments can help keep your skin replenished and treat discoloration and any sun damage early on.

SIGNS OF AGEING APPEAR IN YOUR 30’S

By the time you reach 30, you may visually see the first signs of ageing, which sends most of us into a panic! Everyone ages at different times, and often determined by the genes you are handed down by your parents; good skin, freckly skin, thin skin, premature greying or thinning of the hair, are all normal ageing signs which will appear as skin becomes less hydrated, thinner, and duller in your 30’s. Other things you may notice include fine lines, uneven skin tone, and other imperfections such as rosacea, pigmentation, and red veins.

You can begin addressing visible signs of aging while preventing further damage. Incorporating some tweakments like wrinkle relaxing treatments or dermal fillers will smooth out the surface in those troublesome areas. It’s the time to start taking anti-aging more seriously, if you haven’t already, a good daily SPF is a must, and for a deeper protection from the formation of sunspots, a really good high concentration Vitamin C serum beneath will do the trick; our own SW C20, a maximum strength 20% serum.

We can look back, perhaps with the benefit of hindsight, and say to our younger selves to be more mindful of our lifestyle habits, like sleep, exercise, healthy eating, and avoiding excess alcohol. By your 30s, our face doesn’t bounce back like it did in your 20’s, and an unhealthy lifestyle only compounds the signs of ageing.

THE ACTIVELY AGEING 40’S

In your 40s, volume loss is becoming more evident, especially in the upper part of the face, where any movement is more visually apparent. Skin elasticity decreases due to the reduction in collagen, leading to sagging in the lower face and neck. Your skin quality is starting to reduce too with more fine lines and wrinkles and a crepiness, paper like appearance.

Those in their 40’s are most likely to embark on anti-aging tweakments, now that the signs of aging are becoming more apparent. Luckily, there are a myriad of different clinical treatments out there to combat the signs of aging at all levels and for all skin types. It is never too late to take action and visit your well researched clinic practitioner for advice on the best anti-aging treatments for you and your skin.

Rejuvenation treatments such as Ameela® and Profhilo® will help rejuvenate the skin at a deeper level, by stimulating collagen production and working with the natural processes in your body to bring about new cell generation and a youthful glow. More ‘on the surface treatments’ such as skin peels, microneedling and regular Hydrafacials are brilliant to improve the condition of the skin and reduce crepiness.

The volumising effect of dermal fillers is an excellent treatment to give volume, smooth wrinkles, adding definition in areas like the cheeks where skin begins to droop and sag.

MENOPAUSAL SKIN IN YOUR 50S

Hormonal changes during menopause cause a rapid acceleration of the aging process, so be prepared for some big changes! Skin will lose elasticity and more visibly hydration, becoming more saggy, dry and dull. Your eyes will most likely show the most changes however, including further defined crow’s feet, puffiness, and dark circles.

Fortunately, you can address structural changes in the face with non-invasive treatments like Ultrasound HiFu which works to tighten saggy skin in the face, cheeks, neck and decolletage. If you see the signs of cheek hollowing or droopy jowls, there are a few good options out there to try, one new to market in-clinic treatment is Profhilo ® Structura, which uses high concentrations of Hyaluronic acid to restore facial volume, and add that much desired ‘lifting’ effect in the face.

If your skin is looking sundamaged, you can incorporate skin rejuvenating treatments such as skin peels and microneedling which will shed the skin to reveal fresher, cleaner and more blemish free skin. Further use of a retinol based skin care product like Skinbetter Science Intensive Overnight Alpharet cream, a patented technology that successfully combines a retinoid and an AHA for effective and tolerable skin rejuvenation.

60’S SKIN AGEING – POSTMENOPAUSAL

In your 60s and beyond, gravity and slower cell renewal lead to more pronounced fine lines, wrinkles, and sagging. Skin becomes thinner, more translucent, and less resilient to repair.

You can focus on combining resurfacing and contouring treatments to stimulate collagen and restore volume. There are many fantastic treatments out there that work great in combination with each other. Biostimulating treatments such as Ameela® alongside the voluming effects of Profhilo ® Structura or dermal fillers will help to lift sagging areas, smooth deeper wrinkles, and give a super hydration for overall great skin health.

Your trained nurse practitioner will advise you on the correct skin health plan. By choosing the right clinic, you will develop an important relationship with them that will see the best interests of you and your skin are met throughout the decades and the changes that occur during the aging process.

At the Springwell clinic, our motto is Look Well, Live Well, with a focus on natural looking results. We offer a complete range of non-invasive anti-aging, skin rejuvenation and restoration treatments including Ameela®, Profhilo®, Profhilo® Structura, Ultrasound HiFu, Botox, Dermal Fillers, Skin Peels, Microneedling and Hydrafacial. Visit our Face Treatments page.

We offer specialist skin consultations to all our clients. Get in touch by calling 01628 308060, email hello@springwellclinic.co.uk, or book online.

Your Skin Through the decades