Skin Care at Every Age

Over the years, we start to notice our skin naturally change with the aging process. Each stage of life presents a different set of aging concerns for the skin. The appearance of wrinkles, fine lines, sun spots, volume loss, and sagging gets increasingly noticeable throughout the years. Thankfully, there are innovative anti-aging treatments offered by Dr. Melda Isaac, Dr. Daniel Yanes, and the staff at MI Skin Dermatology in Washington, DC, that help their patients from Chevy Chase and Bethesda, MD; Arlington and Alexandria, VA; and surrounding areas look their best at any age.

What Happens as Skin Ages?

As we age, our oil glands don’t produce as much oil causing our skin to become drier, and our skin doesn’t retain as much moisture as it did when it was younger. These biochemical and structural changes result in gravity taking its toll and signs of skin laxity and aging. Early signs of aging include the development of fine lines, particularly around the eyes and lips, deepening of expression lines in the forehead and around the mouth, brittle nails, thinning hair, and even bone loss. The following tips can help you slow the signs of aging at every age.

Any and All Ages

Treat your skin gently and keep it moisturized and hydrated. Always use gentle products, avoid harsh ingredients, and don’t scratch, squeeze, or pick at your skin.

Protect Your Skin From the Sun

Because sun exposure is the single biggest cause of damage to skin, the most important thing one can do to protect your skin is to reduce sun exposure.  Use sunscreen daily, wear sun-protective clothing, and limit time outdoors when the sun is the strongest, typically between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Chronic sun exposure causes fine and coarse wrinkles with a leathery appearance in addition to brown spots and broken blood vessels.

Use sunscreen daily, even when it is cloudy and during the winter, as ultraviolet light penetrates through clouds. Our providers prefer broad-spectrum sunscreens that contain physical particles like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, as they don’t rely on a chemical reaction to reduce sun damage on the skin. She suggests a daily sunscreen of an SPF 30 or greater, and for holidays or more prolonged sun exposure, bump the SPF to 50+ and reapply every 2 hours. Wear a wide-brimmed hat, use lip balm with SPF 30 or greater, and wear sunglasses with ultraviolet light protection.

Avoid tanning beds. Ultraviolet radiation from tanning beds can be 10 times more powerful than the midday sun!

Avoid Smoking

Avoid smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke. Smoking decreases blood flow in smaller vessels, thereby damaging connective tissue which leads to loss of skin elasticity and the formation of wrinkles. Smokers also suffer more damage from sunlight than nonsmokers.

In Your 20’s

Prevention is key! In your mid- to late 20s, collagen and elastic tissue production begins slowing down, and small signs of skin aging slowly become visible. The following treatments and skincare tips can help slow down the process.

Prevent Wrinkles With Neuromodulators

Neuromodulators such as BOTOX® Cosmetic, Dysport® and XEOMIN® are increasingly popular among patients in their 20s and early 30s. Younger people do not have to wait for lines to form before they start neurotoxin treatments. Our providers recommend that patients in their 20s get treated before the expression lines are etched in the skin and apparent at rest.

Start (and Stick With) a Quality Skincare Regimen

This skincare regimen should include a retinoid, topical antioxidants, a moisturizer, and, of course, sunscreen. Our providers emphasize that the single most important thing one can do for prevention of fine lines and wrinkles is sun protection.

Skin retains less moisture and produces less natural oils than it does when you’re younger. A good moisturizer soothes dry skin, makes wrinkles less noticeable and allows for better tolerance of topical retinoids. Vitamin A, or retinoids, also increase collagen production and improve cellular turnover and improving skin color. Other vitamins and antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, E, ferulic acid, and Coenzyme Q10 reduce free radical damage and minimize photodamage. Our providers suggest that you look for these ingredients in serums, lotions or creams.

Try a Cosmetic Skin Treatment

Laser Hair removal, chemical peels, and procedures that address unwanted hair, skin texture, and acne along with acne scarring treatments are extremely popular treatments among men and women in their 20s.

Learn more about skin care in your 20’s.

In Your 30’s

“Crow’s feet” are present around the eyes and forehead lines deepen. Frown lines (lines between the eyebrows), nasal-labial folds (lines that run from the nose to the mouth), and lines at the corners of the mouth are more noticeable. Brown spots, sun spots, and other signs of sun damage begin to appear. Skin care regimens are customized to meet the needs of your busy lifestyles and concerns.

Add Anti-Aging Products to Your Skincare Routine

The skin becomes more delicate, with lines on the eyes and forehead more common. In addition to normal aging processes, harmful environmental influences are now more noticeable. The cell activity decreases and the skin’s barrier layer becomes more compromised. In other words, the skin reacts to these changes with irritation or allergy and redness. With a coordinated care system, including supportive anti-aging products and treatments, light lines can be corrected with ease. Skincare at night is particularly important to promote skin suppleness and regeneration during sleeping hours. In addition to their staples of retinoids, antioxidants, and sunscreen, our providers start to use products that contain peptides and growth factors into one’s skincare regimen during this age.

Smooth Away Lines With Injectables

BOTOX, XEOMIN, and Dysport treatments continue to be a mainstay in wrinkle care and further prevention. Dr. Isaac and Dr. Yanes artfully inject resting lines and improves facial contours by injecting dermal fillers.  Juvéderm, Restylane, Belotero, RADIESSE, Bellafill, and Sculptra Aesthetic are tools in their toolbox to fill lines and restore facial volume that occurs during this time. Because some fillers stimulate collagen production, they also have a role in preventing further skin deterioration.

Give Your Skin a Refreshing Reset

Microneedling and laser treatments, such as Fraxel, stimulate collagen production, smooth fine lines and, improve texture. They are popular with patients in their 30s. Laser treatments to reduce sun damage, brown spots and redness also are also popular requests.  Rosacea treatments continue to climb in both men and women patients.

Learn more about skin care in your 30’s.

In Your 40’s

Fine lines radiating from the upper lip or down turns at the corners of the mouth deepen and lengthen to the chin. The lip border loses definition and lips appear thinner. Expression lines deepen around the mouth, forehead, and brows. The neck and jawline begin to sag, leading to the formation of “jowls.” Volume loss is becoming apparent, especially in the temples and cheeks.  The brow falls and eyes become more tired looking.  In addition to neurotoxins and fillers, lasers and skin tightening devices play more of a role to a youthful appearance. Incorporating growth factors and peptides are essential for collagen stimulation and smoother surface.

Let Lasers & Devices Do All the Work

Lasers and devices that tighten and lift are extremely popular as skin starts to sag due to increased laxity and volume loss. Ultherapy, Exilis Ultra, Infini radiofrequency microneedling, to name a few, are regularly recommended at this age.  UltraFemme 360 treatments help restore vaginal moisture and stress-induced urinary incontinence caused by sneezing, exercise, and laughing.

Rejuvenate Your Look With a Nonsurgical Facelift

Dr. Isaac and Dr. Yanes routinely recommend thread lifts, otherwise known as suture suspension, nonsurgical facelifts, during this age. Thread lifts work well for mild to moderate skin laxity, particularly in the jowl area. The suture material also stimulates collagen production because the thread is made of a material that acts as a foreign substance to the body in order to stimulate collagen growth. Some threads have changes in the surface of the material (barbs, cones, or knots) that will catch onto the skin, allowing Dr. Isaac or Dr. Yanes to place the thread, position it into the skin in such a way to cause a long-lasting lifting effect that looks great immediately and over time.

Turn Back the Clock With Anti-Aging Treatments

BOTOX and other neuromodulators remain an essential anti-aging treatment, although Dr. Isaac and Dr. Yanes now inject them in more anatomic areas including the neck and jawline. Dr. Isaac, Dr. Yanes, and their team at MI-Skin Dermatology and Laser Center may recommend using additional cosmetic dermatology treatments to restore your skin’s youthful appearance.

Learn more about skin care in your 40’s.

In Your 50’s

During these years you will notice more hollowing of the temples and cheeks due to volume changes and the redistribution of facial fat and bone loss. Loss of definition and contour of the cheeks and jawline are more obvious. Neck laxity and “jowling” are more apparent. Sun spots and brown spots accumulate and intensify. “Frown” lines and expression lines continue to deepen. Incorporating a multifaceted approach with use of skin care products, fillers, neurotoxins, lasers and devices allows for youthful, healthy skin.

Optimize Your At-Home Skincare Routine

The skin becomes more complex and generally drier after 55. Lines develop into deeper wrinkles, especially around the nose and mouth. The activity of the sebaceous and sweat glands is restricted, so the skin cannot store enough moisture. Your skincare system must now be readjusted and maintained well. Anti-aging products with retinoids, vitamin C, sunscreen, hyaluronic acids, growth factors are essential.

Learn more about skin care in your 50’s.

In Your 60’s

In your 60’s and beyond, the skin will need replenishment of lost collagen and volume. Deep set wrinkles and facial folds become more apparent and sagging becomes more prominent. The body can become covered with brown spots, uneven pigmentation, and sun damage. Bulging varicose and spider veins increase in number.  Combination therapies using lasers, devices, skin care products, fillers and neurotoxins allow one to look his or her best.

Learn more about skin care in your 60’s.

Skin Care and Cosmetic Treatments at Every Age

Our skin experiences many structural and biochemical changes over the years.  For example, epidermal cells don’t turn over and exfoliate as easily, the production of collagen and elastic tissue proteins slows, and these proteins also weaken becoming less supportive. At our Washington, DC, dermatology practice, we recommend skincare treatments tailored to your age.

Dr. Isaac and Dr. Yanes strategically use and combine different modalities to deliver her best signature treatments. Procedures must be used in combination as no single treatment will restore a youthful appearance. Implementing these treatments in a skilled way is what makes our providers’ approach unique. They strive to achieve age-appropriate, natural-looking results for her patients. Artfully injecting BOTOX and fillers in addition to performing state-of-the-art skin resurfacing, skin tightening and lifting procedures separate Dr. Isaac and Dr. Yanes from other physicians.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

To learn more about caring for your skin at every age, please request a consultation or call (202) 393-7546. At our Washington, DC, dermatology office, Dr. Isaac and Dr. Yanes frequently see people from Chevy Chase and Bethesda, MD, Arlington and Alexandria, VA, and other surrounding communities.