Some people embrace turning 30 years old with a big party. Others pretend it never happened because they’re afraid to lose their youth.
Whether or not you’ve decided to make 29 last as long as possible, there are things that start to change in our skin around the age of 30.
Related: The Daily Anti-Aging Routine You Can Start Now
First, people lose collagen. This can be the result of aging, but it can also be caused by prolonged sun exposure.
Second, people begin to lose thickness in their skin, as well as fat underneath their skin. You’ll notice this when you look at a child’s skin, which is full, thick and creamy, and a 30-year-old’s skin, which appears a bit thinner and not as full.
This is evidence that your skin is losing collagen, thickness and fat.
It may seem like age 30 is early to start taking steps to maintain the thickness and fullness in your skin. However, people are living longer and longer and the effects of aging take a long time to reverse.
What Your Skin Maintenance Plan Should Include
1. Apply a UVA or UVB broad-spectrum sunscreen, which usually contains titanium dioxide or zinc oxide, every morning. These sunscreens are not absorbed into the body and they’re available in clear formations so you don’t look white and pasty all day.
Sun damage is ongoing, and it doesn’t just happen when you spend hours in the sun on a hot summer day. Even if you’re just running in and out of the car, sunscreen can prevent sun damage.
Related: 3 Questions to Ask Before Trying the Newest Natural Skincare Products
2. Build and maintain collagen in the skin with retinol. Retinol is a medical product that can gradually improve collagen levels and help repair sun damage. That means fewer lines and wrinkles.
Apply retinol in the evening. It can be uncomfortable, but using a moisturizer will soothe your skin and allow you to use more retinol.
3. Use filler regularly to maintain volume as opposed to letting the problem get out of hand and trying to replace volume. Volume loss in the facial skin can be significant, and it takes a lot of filler to replace that volume.
Proper skincare requires daily maintenance, just like taking care of your teeth by brushing every day. If you need help developing a skin maintenance plan, schedule a consultation and we’ll be happy to help.
Dr. R. Todd Plott is a board-certified dermatologist in Coppell, Keller, and Saginaw, TX. His specialization and professional interests include treating patients suffering with acne, identifying and solving complex skin conditions such as psoriasis, rosacea, atopic dermatitis, and identifying and treating all types of skin cancers. In his spare time, Dr. Plott enjoys cycling, traveling with his wife, and spending time with his children and new grandson.
Learn more about Dr. Plott.