Dont Neglect Your Neck
This area is often overlooked and will most certainly be showing the effects of aging and sun damage in your 60s. Applying sunscreen generously to the front and sides of the neck is one of the best ways to prevent further visible aging, so be sure to get into this habit daily when performing your morning routine. Also, be sure to use a well-formulated neck creme. Here are more of my expert tips to repair the look of sun damage on the neck and chest.Repair your skins moisture barrier
The skin has a moisture barrier made of natural lipids and when it is damaged , tiny, invisible cracks in the skin are created, allowing moisture to escape and irritants to enter more easily. This causes the skin to get dry, rough and flaky and easily inflamed. Inflammation causes a chain of biochemical reactions that lead to collagen and elastin breakdown. If the skins barrier function is intact and healthy, inflammation is much less likely to occur.
There are very specific emollient ingredients in certain moisturizers that can help repair the moisture barrier. Look for moisturizers or treatment oils containing like rose hip seed oil, borage oil, jojoba oil and sweet almond oil. Ingredients like shea butter, ceramides, squalane and phospholipids will also soothe the skin and help repair a damaged moisture barrier.
Read more tips on how to fix a damaged barrier.
Adult Acne: Why Does It Happen
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I’m a 61-year-old woman who has hardly had a pimple my whole life, til now. Lately, I’ve been getting these huge, what I call, under-grounders. They hurt like the dickens but never come to a head. They appear around my mouth, near my nose or on my forehead. What is going on?
— Jane
A pimple occurs when sebum — the lubricant that naturally moisturizes our skin and hair — is trapped under dead skin cells and debris in a hair follicle, according to the Mayo Clinic. Typically, sebum rises to the surface, where it is able to condition the skin. If it gets trapped, it creates an ideal circumstance for bacteria to grow. What Jane calls “under-grounders” are actually pockets of sebum and bacteria that are trapped further down along the hair shaft, deep within the follicle.
Adult acne is common — about 30 percent of women and 20 percent of men between the ages of 20 and 60 have breakouts, according to WebMD. So why would a person develop acne later in life? Very often, it’s related to hormones.
Increase Blood Flow And Circulation Within The Skin
Skin cells, like all cells that make up the tissues and organs of the body, depend on good circulation to get the required oxygen, water, hormones, nutrients, minerals and other trace elements that are vital for the life of the cells. The tissues rely on the circulatory system to remove wastes and toxins. Tired, sluggish skin occurs when the microcapillaries are not providing enough nutrition to the skin. The treatment for under-circulated skin is to try to gently stimulate circulation through gentle massage with a manual exfoliant / facial scrub and using stimulating ingredients such as ginseng, peppermint and rosemary. Youll also want to encourage the mitochondria of the cell to harness its energy with ingredients like niacinamide.
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Load Up With Antioxidant
It is widely recognized by almost every doctor, skin researcher and health professional on the planet that the key to aging in a healthier way is to protect your cells with antioxidants. This is known as the free radical theory of aging. This theory states that the main reason why we age is that unstable electrons in molecules known as free radicals attack healthy cells and change their composition. These free radicals are very potent toxins that ultimately damage the skin. First, they attach to proteins and other essential molecules, making the molecules unable to function normally, as healthy, younger cells do. This ultimately results in the premature death of the attacked cells. Sounds tragic, I know.
Free radicals can come from UVA and UVB rays from the sun, pollution, stress smoking, alcohol, fatty foods and even aerobic repetitive exercise. When exposed to these, the parts of the cell susceptible to damage are DNA, lipids, and proteins. This, then, slows down the production of collagen and elastin, which is essential in keeping the skin firm and preventing wrinkling. This entire process happens beneath our skin every minute of every day, making wrinkles, brown spots and sagging more visible over time.
The good news is that antioxidants found in products are incredibly effective at slowing the process of visible aging. Theyre so effective because antioxidants essentially prevent free radicals from oxidizing molecules.
You’re Making Your Pimple Worse By Picking Your Face
Its tempting in the moment, but its never a good idea to play dermatologist because its nearly impossible to pick your own pimple and not make a red mark that could turn into a scar. Even worse, when you try to press the blackhead or pus out of your pore, you run the risk of pushing the bacteria deeper and making the problem worse. Oh, yeah, and you know when you rest your chin in your palm while youre sitting at your desk? That action of touching your skin also can transfer bacteria from your hand onto your face, Dr. Downie adds.
The zit fix:
Challenge yourself not to pick or even touch your face for unnecessary reasons. If you need to physically put something over your pimple to keep your hands off of it , try a pimple patch, which is a flat, flexible, drug-free patch that protects your spot and allows it to heal faster.
And when all else failsor ideally, before all else beginshead to your dermatologist to find out which of the acne causes is wreaking havoc on your skin. Its almost like they went to school to fix this kind of thing. Weird.
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Surprising Causes Of Adult Acne
Are those annoying little blemishes really acne? Why do we still get those zits and blemishes well beyond our teenage years and how can we get rid of them for good? Acne is frustrating no matter what age it happens, but it can be particularly embarrassing for adults. Unfortunately, adult acne can sometimes develop well into your 30s, 40s, and 50s. Its even possible to not have acne as a teenager but develop it later in life.
Water Helps To Maintain Blood Pressure
If blood cells are lacking in water, the blood becomes thicker, which increases blood pressure in the body. Normalising blood pressure is super important because if the pressure is incorrect, the blood might not flow correctly around the circulatory system and no oxygen or nutrients would be delivered through our arteries to the tissues and organs.
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Skin: Condition: Infomation Topical Treatments
These are usually the first choice for those with mild to moderate acne. There are a variety of active anti-acne agents, such as benzoyl peroxide, antibiotics , retinoids , azelaic acid and nicotinamide . They should be applied to the entire affected area of the skin and not just to individual spots, usually every night or twice daily depending on the treatment.
Some topical treatments can be irritating to the skin, so it may be advised that the treatment is initially used on a small area of affected skin for a few applications before being applied to the entire affected area. It may also be recommended to gradually increase the use of the treatment, for example using it once or twice weekly, progressively building to regular daily use if tolerated. Consult your doctor if the treatment causes irritation of the skin.
Some topical treatments, such as retinoids can lead to the acne getting worse for a few weeks before it gets better.
Do Birth Control Pills Cause Or Cure Acne
Birth control pills may help some women control acne. The hormones in birth control pills can help block androgen hormones. Androgen puts oil glands into overdrive. Some birth control pills, though, can make acne worse. So even if you take birth control pills, you’ll still need a good acne skin care routine.
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Body Acne Can Be Treated
Maybe you have acne on places other than your face. Lots of people do. Back and body acne can be treated too.
You can buy body washes made specifically for body breakouts at your local drug store, Target, Wal-mart, etc. The most effective will contain benzoyl peroxide.
If OTC products don’t work, prescription medications are needed. Because it can be really hard to smear a cream over your own back, an oral acne medication might be prescribed.
Your Makeup Remover May Trigger Acne
Pore-clogging cosmetics can combine with your natural skin oil to cause breakouts called acne cosmetica.
The problem isnt only the products, but also how you remove the makeup, Frank warns.
Either women clean their skin in a cursory manner, or because theyre wearing mineral makeup they think they dont need to wash their face thoroughly, he adds.
After a long day, makeup, oil, and dirt build up. This is a triple threat that can easily clog your pores, trapping acne-causing bacteria and triggering breakouts.
Zip zapper Look for noncomedogenic products, and wash your face thoroughly and gently every night. Gently apply makeup, clean your makeup brushes every week, and dont share cosmetic products.
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Keep Up Your Exercise
The 60s may find you slowing down with your workout routine but this is not recommended. Moderate exercise is an important part of skin care. Exercise keeps your muscles strong and firm which in places such as your arms, will support the skin and give it a smoother look. Exercise is beneficial for increasing blood flow and carrying oxygen and nutrients to the skin as well as stimulating neurons which are good for brain health.
Causes Of Acne In Older Women
If you’re frustrated by blemishes you thought you had left behind in your teenage years, you’re not alone. Many women have acne breakouts in their 30s, 40s, and 50s.
This article explores the causes of adult acne, as well as what you can do to prevent it. It will also explain when it’s best to reach out to your doctor.
The main factors that lead to acne for both teens and adults may include:
- Over-production of a type of oil, known as sebum, by the skin
- An excess of dead skin cells that block the pores
- A large amount of acne-causing bacteria within the blocked pores
- Inflammation of the skin
Adult acne is more common in women than in men. Acne can impact women even after menopause, which is a time when your periods stop.
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How Do Hormones Affect The Skin In Your 60s
The 60s are the post-menopausal years which is when dry skin really sets in and the skins natural repair and wound healing processes slow down. Circulation is also very impaired leading to a dullish look for the skin. In this post, Ill go into detail about the hormonal shifts taking place and share my expert tips for things you can start doing now to counteract the visible effects.
Skin: Condition: Infomation Oral Contraceptive Treatments
Some forms of the oral contraceptive pill can be helpful in females who have acne. The most effective contain a hormone blocker which reduces the amount of oil the skin produces. It usually takes at least three months for the benefits to show. Although it may not be taken primarily for this reason, the pill also helps to prevent conception. As it inhibits ovulation , the pill may be less suitable in young teenage girls where ovulation is not well established. These tablets carry a small risk of blood clots so you must tell your doctor if you have any past history of these. This is a greater risk for people who smoke, are overweight or have others in the family who have had blood clots.
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How Do You Prevent Adult Acne
There are a few things you can do to help prevent adult acne and keep it from getting worse.
- Wash your skin twice a day with a non-drying and non-comedogenic cleanser. Non-comedogenic means the ingredients won’t clog your pores.
- Look for cosmetic products labeled oil-free, non-comedogenic and non-acnegenic. Non-acnegenic means it most likely won’t cause acne.
- Avoid heavy skin creams or hair products that may clog your pores.
Is That Stubborn Acne Really Acne
Stubborn acne can also be a sign of something serious going on inside your body. To see clearer skin, youll need to get that serious condition under control first.
Youll find pictures along with descriptions of such skin conditions below. If your acne resembles any of these pictures, seeing a dermatologist can help you get the right diagnosis and treatment.
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Investigate The Medicine Cabinet
Acne can also be caused by medications. Seniors who are suddenly affected by acne should take a look at their prescriptions to see if acne is listed as a side effect. For example, lithium, antidepressants, chemotherapy drugs, and anabolic steroids are known to contribute to acne in adults. Those who think any of their prescriptions are contributing to their breakouts should discuss the matter with their doctors, who may be able to alter the medications or prescribe additional drugs to alleviate the side effects.
Am I Stuck With Acne Forever
On its own, acne does seem to go away with age. According to one study, acne becomes less common after age 44. And for some women, acne ends with menopause.
Until then, fortunately, there are treatments for adult acne. Most people find a combination of products work best. Treatment takes time — usually 4 to 12 weeks — and you need to continue it for it to work.
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What Does Acne Look Like And What Does It Feel Like
The typical appearance of acne is a mixture of the following: oily skin, blackheads, whiteheads, red spots and pus-filled pimples. Occasionally, larger, deeper bumps or cysts may develop. Affected skin may feel hot, painful and be tender to touch.
Acne can leave scars or marks on the skin, particularly in the presence of nodules and cysts. These may be raised and lumpy or indented . Acne can also leave discolouration which may be red, hyperpigmented or hypopigmented .
Not all spots are acne, so if there is something unusual about the rash it is advisable to consult your doctor.
One important aspect of having acne that doesnt get talked about very much is the effect on mood and self-esteem. Many studies have shown that acne itself has a negative psychological impact. For example, severe acne has been shown to be associated with suicidal behaviour. If you are suffering from acne and are feeling depressed, anxious or suicidal, it is important to speak to your doctor about these feelings as soon as possible.
A Diet High In Processed Food And Refined Carbs May Lead To Acne
Bisual Studio/Stocksy
As teens, we believed that greasy grub and chocolate cake caused our pimples. And that might hold true for you now that youre an adult.
The latest scientific evidence suggests that high-carbohydrate diets may predispose you to acne, Fusco says. Specifically, diets high in refined carbohydrates that are high on the glycemic index may increase the development and severity of breakouts, yet more research is needed. The glycemic index is a scale that gauges how much a certain food can affect blood sugar levels.
There may also be a link between acne and dairy, according to Harth.
Dairy products have been shown in multiple studies to increase levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 , that can trigger or worsen acne breakouts, says Harth. One of the most triggering forms of dairy is cow’s milk, especially low-fat milk, which contains a large amount of progesterone-like hormones and has a higher sugar content than full-fat milk.
Zit zapper Cut back on snacks, like chips and ice cream, and switch to whole grains, veggies, fruits, and high-protein foods.
Better skin may lie at the end of your fork, research reveals.
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What To Do About It
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Skip so-called anti-aging products: You may not want wrinkles per se, but right now you need to focus on getting rid of your acne, and many of the anti-aging ingredients can be irritating or can trigger acne breakouts in some women.
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Stay away from teen-focused anti-acne products: Most adult women have drier skin types, so acne washes and medications meant for teen acne can be too drying and irritating to their skin, Shainhouse says. Salicylic acid and benzoyl peroxide are great for teens, but not for most adult women.
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Choose a gentle cleansing wash and use it twice a day. You might consider a prescription one with sulfur.
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Add a topical retinoid: Shainhouse says that this will help unclog pores and stimulate anti-wrinkle collagen growth but start this regimen slowly, as it may irritate sensitive skin.
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Consider a prescription low-dose daily oral antibiotic. This can calm inflammation.
