Monday, December 9, 2013

BEATING THE CLOCK


They say growing old is better than the alternative, but aging certainly is not for the faint of heart. By the late 30s to early 40s, fine lines and wrinkles begin to appear. Changes in skin texture, volume and appearance, pigmentation problems, broken capillaries and dullness become more pronounced with every birthday. We cannot stop the hands of time, but knowing the factors involved with aging can lead to an understanding of what we can and cannot influence when striving to look our best.

First, the basics – the skin has three layers: the epidermis, the dermis and a deeper subcutaneous tier. The epidermis is the outer layer and its role is protection. This layer loses lips (fat-like substances), making the skin dry. In your 30s it will shed itself every two months. The dermis is the skins inside layer, responsible for texture and elasticity. This is the home of collagen and elastic fibers that break down over time. The subcutaneous inner layer is composed of fat and connective tissue and allows us to maintain constant body temperature.



Intrinsic Aging: Changes that happen within the body.
  • Fine lines and wrinkles
  • Thin and transparent skin
  • Loss of subcutaneous layer attachment to bone, resulting in sagging and folds
  • Thinning of underlying fat, leading to hollowed cheeks and eye sockets and loss of firmness on the hands and neck
  • Drying of the skin
  • Gray hair and hair loss 
Extrinsic Aging: Skin changes due to external factors:
  • Sun exposure, resulting in age spots, loss of elasticity, fine lines and wrinkles
  • Facial expressions: Repetitive facial movements actually lead to wrinkles, often referred to as “character lines”
  • Gravity: Our skin gradually ceases to “snap back” due to gravity
  • Sleeping positions: Resting your face on the pillow in the same way every night can contribute to the development of facial folds
  • Smoking: People who smoke regularly are more likely to develop wrinkled, leathery skin, especially wrinkles around the mouth.
Prevention + Treatments: We cannot stop the aging process, but we don’t have to surrender quietly. Signs of aging can be corrected with fillers, lasers or ultrasound. Pharmaceutical-grade skincare products can further repair damaged skin. 
  • Avoid deliberate tanning, including use of indoor tanning devices. 
  • Apply sunscreen year-round. Sunscreen should be broad spectrum (offers UVA and UVB protection) and have a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. Using an effective sunscreen, such as Enza Essentials Advanced Protection SPF 30, on a daily basis will make a big impact on the skin and help prevent future damage. 
  • Consult with Dr. Rucker and his staff. We have developed a skin treatment program that has been used by over 1,000 patients. Let us discuss personal options that will fit your lifestyle and priorities.
  • Tri-Peptide Cell Activator: Dr. Rucker’s exclusive wrinkle-reduction serum formulated with Resveratrol, Tripeptide-3, and Swiss apple stem cells, clinically proven to reduce signs of aging. 
For more information, please contact our staff at 800-456-8222 or email us at info@ruckermd.com. Check out our website at www.ruckermd.com.


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