Why Look Older Than You Are…
The face is often the focus of our anti-aging efforts. But there is a good chance you’re neglecting areas that, when not taken care of properly, can make you look significantly older than you actually are such as the neck, eyes and lips. The skin in these areas is some of the thinnest on the body, and develop signs of aging quicker than most, meaning these areas need just as much attention and sometimes more as our faces.
NECK
Sun damage is one of the main contributors to the breakdown of the skin on the neck and décolleté. It is very important to take care of the skin on your neck in the same way you take care of your face. Bringing all your products down to the neck and décolleté, especially broad-spectrum physical sunscreen is your best bet. Treat your neck exactly as you treat the face—same cleanser, serums, followed by a neck cream that helps tighten and firm skin while diminishing unevenness and dark spots.
A good skin-care routine using ingredients like peptides, antioxidants and hyaluronic acid (HA) applied to the neck promote and protect collagen and elastin and keep the neck supple. Combine these topicals with monthly preventative treatments that nourish, hydrate and boost collagen and elastin production such as microneedling, chemical peels, microdermabrasion (resurfacing), radiofrequency (tightening) and the Super Facial with Ultrasound (i.e., Hydrate OxyPod helps keep skin smooth and taut).
EYES
The skin on and around the eyes is approximately 10 times thinner than the rest of the face. The result is less protection than other parts of the face. After factoring in smiling, squinting, diet, water intake, allergies and stress, the eyes show signs of degradation more quickly and with more severity than skin elsewhere on the body. With few oil glands to maintain natural moisturize, the skin around the eyes is subject to dehydration. As we age, the skin’s natural process of shedding dead cells slows, and the eye area often develops a buildup of dead skin cells.
To maintain healthy skin around the eyes and delay the signs of aging, collagen-stimulating ingredients such as peptides should be incorporated into both daily regimens, as well as monthly professional treatments and avoid unprotected sun exposure. In addition to sunscreen, wearing sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats will help protect skin and prevent squinting. Do not participate in activities, such as smoking, which will reduce redness and puffiness around the eyes. Avoid tugging, pulling or rubbing of the eye area that can also exacerbate inflammation and irritation. Practice sleeping on your back. When lying on any part of your face, fluid buildup causes puffiness around the eyes. By lying on your back, you discourage this pooling and reduce puffiness.
LIPS
Lips often age more rapidly than the rest of our face does. This is partially due to the skin on our lips is thinner than skin elsewhere and does not contain sweat glands. Without sweat glands, lips do not have the natural oils that protect skin from drying out. Other factors that lead to thin, unsightly lips are genetics, natural aging, sun exposure, dry air, certain medications, and smoking. The lips have structural fat pads that diminish as we age, but lose volume faster from alcohol, smoking and some medications. This causes them to shrink and/ or the upper lip to wrinkle.
Aside from keeping lips moisturized and hydrated, they also need to be protected from the sun. Lips experience sun damage just as much as the rest of the skin on your face, resulting in sagging and hyperpigmentation. While we may be diligent about applying sunscreen to our faces, our lips often are neglected. During the day, especially in areas of high sun exposure, always apply a lip product containing SPF.
Good lip care consists of lip scrub followed by a mask, lip balm and/or lip plumping treatment and organic lip color. In some cases, a lip primer is applied before lip color if the lips need a little extra care or if there are lines around the lips.
Make the delicate areas of skin around the eyes, lips and neck a priority by adding professional products and monthly spa treatments to your skincare routine. From nourishing lip treatments, to moisturizing, lifting, and firming eye treatments or makeup removers and neck firming treatments, take the time to please the most fragile areas of your skin.
