Get a Wrinkle-free Skin Using Anti-aging Masks

Are you often worried about those lines, creases and furrows under your eyes? Well, this is primarily due to the natural and inevitable process of aging. Sure, you cannot do much about the skin aging but you can definitely take some preventive measures in order to delay the signs of aging. Besides the natural phenomenon, there are various other causes as well that are apparently responsible for the premature aging of the skin. These may include increased exposure to harmful UV radiations of sun, mounting stress levels and environmental pollution.

There is however no need for you to panic. In order to cater to these skin aging problems, the market provides various anti-aging skin care solutions that are quite effective in ensuring the suppleness and thickness of your skin. Homemade anti-aging masks are extremely beneficial for natural invigorating nourishment of your skin. Different fruits and milk-based anti-aging masks can be prepared using the natural ingredients that are quite effective in making your skin healthy and beautiful. Lemon juice, honey, yogurt, rose water, orange juice, peach extracts, almond oil, milk and lavender oil can be used to prepare you own anti-aging mask treatment.

Herbal anti-aging masks are also great that tend to be suitable for all skin types. These facial masks are prepared using plant-based ingredients that tend to ensure natural skin care. Anti-aging clay masks are quite effective that renders oil-free skin and unclog the pores. These natural anti-aging masks help you to get rid of your blackheads and provide various minerals and vitamins thereby ensuring complete rejuvenation of your skin. Moreover these facial masks ensure to get back the lost luster thereby providing you a beautiful and glowing skin.

Anti-aging facial masks are a great way to get of wrinkles and other skin-related problems that tend to bother you. However, regular cleansing followed by toning and moisturizing of the skin would ensure your skin to be healthy and well nourished.

Anti Aging Masks - Who Needs Them?

The advancing of age is something that is natural and unavoidable. You cannot run away from the fact that you have to look like your grand mother one day, when the effects of age are visible on your skin. There are methods that can lessen the severity of these effects and slow down the process for a little while.

There are a variety of anti aging facial masks available in the markets that help in reducing the ill effects of growing age. One must choose wisely from the wide range and opt for the one that suits your skin type. Unlike creams, these masks penetrate deep inside the skin and work more effectively. There are certain masks that help to keep the facial skin taut and plump. Products that contain elements like honey and egg white are very useful for the rejuvenation of the skin. Papaya is another good element that can be used for the purpose of anti aging masks. The enzymes present in papaya are very useful as they eat away the dead skin cells and help in the generation of new cells. Phytessence Wakame is a natural ingredient that you should look for when choosing the right anti aging facial mask for yourself. It helps in protecting your skin from the harmful UV rays of the sun and from other harsh weather conditions like cold weather and winds. Thus it helps in safeguarding your skin from further damage.

You can not deny the fact that pollution around us is on an all time high. This has very harmful effects on the health on the entire body, most importantly the facial skin. So it is extremely important for you to take time off from your busy schedule and pamper your skin. Way to go!

The Myriad Benefits of using Anti Aging Facial Masks

Here is something that you all have wanted to hear- The unwanted process of skin aging can be reversed and there are more than 100 ways to do it! The beauty marts are sprawling with products that promise counter aging. Of all these anti aging products, anti aging facial masks enjoy phenomenal popularity. Anti aging facial masks are known by many other names like rejuvenating facial masks, exfoliating masks, counter aging masks, clay masks etc. All perform the same task- skin tightening.

It is very interesting that many oldies look young while there are many not-so-old people who look overly aged. It is the skin that makes a person look young or old. When the exterior skin layers begin to thin down, the facial skin starts to sag down. This loss of elasticity makes the skin look older. At times, a person exposes himself to excessive heat, dust, chemicals and pollution. This makes the facial skin droop down. This is the reason why it is always stressed that a person must start to take steps against aging since the very beginning.

Before you begin with your mask application, clean your facial skin and adjoining neck area with water. You may as well use a good quality cleanser to clean off all the dust and makeup. Steam bath is also recommended by skincare experts but it is not mandatory. If however you choose to indulge in facial steam, what better? While the mask is on, you may also place cucumber slices or cooled chamomile bags on your eyes. That helps a great deal.

It is rather easy to prevent skin aging than to find ways to battle it. There is an array of herbal beauty skin products. These products do not allow the signs of aging to settle in, in the first place.

All Time Anti Aging Masks For You

The skin starts withering away post 30. It is important that people start paying due attention to their skin this time around. Usually women are more concerned or rather horrified about skin aging. Anti-aging facial masks have come to help this lot of worried women. These masks effectively counter all major and minor signs of aging.

Considering the extensive demand for anti aging facial masks, the beauty stores are full with them. The realization of the benefits of anti aging facial masks has dawned upon the majority of masses.

Readymade anti aging facial masks are equipped with peculiar anti aging agents. The cosmetic companies are in the race to formulate the most effective of all anti aging formula. There is no dearth of crooked and unscrupulous manufacturers out there. You must keep away from falling prey to their crafted tricks.

There are many kitchen-made anti aging masks as well. Of all the fruits, peach is known to be the richest source of anti aging properties. Banana comes second. Both these fruits are especially apt in making loose skin taut. The pulp of these fruits can be applied as a mask to shoo away furrows and age lines as well. Avocados and cherries are also very beneficial in reverse aging. Papaya can also be mashed and worn as a mask.

Oil massage is also recommended by dermatologists. Canola oil, virgin olive oil, jojoba oil and wheat germ oil are most frequently used to gently massage the area around the eyes. This helps to do away with facial wrinkles.

Chocolate masks are also used by many to reverse the aging process. Honey masks are also used as anti aging facial masks. Honey helps to nourish the facial skin and lend it a youthful look. Clay masks tighten the facial skin. These are very soothing and refreshing.

Are Homemade Aging Masks As Effective?

The worst part associated with aging is drooping skin. Facial masks are a great way to tighten the sagging skin as a result of old age. There is a wide variety of anti aging masks available in the market. Some of these are extremely beneficial while others are not worth a try. Now, how to distinguish worthy for worthless anti aging masks is indeed a tough job. You never know if the mask contains an element your skin is sensitive to. Obviously, you can’t always make that out by going through the list of ingredients. As such, it is essential that either you seek help from a well known dermatologist or you yourself conduct a good research on what should form a part of your aging mask and what not. You will form a basic idea after you finish reading this write-up.

You may even try your own hand at making out an anti-aging mask. Papaya, honey and primrose oil may be applied as a facial mask to fight the nasty signs of aging. You may as well treat your face to the luxury of rich chocolate. Chocolate, you all know is a great stress buster. It can work wonders with your body when you allow it do so. Almond oil, oatmeal powder, cucumber and Aloe Vera mask is followed since times immemorial and this bears a testimony to the fact that this homemade facial mask is actually effective. Avocadoes, honey, chamomile and glycerin facial mask is equally worth it. Mud and clay facial masks are supposed to be pretty successful in fighting aging as well.

The best part about anti-aging masks is that these may be used by either gender to produce equally effective and apparent results. Why? What’s wrong? Even men dread aging and if they do well what’s the big deal?

Anti Aging: Benefits of Proper Exercise

You should know that a correct and proper exercise routine is beneficial for health. You must be surprised to know that a correct exercise regime is beneficial for solving your aging problem. According to different researches it is known that by moderately following the correct anti aging exercise routine, you can look younger and slow your aging process. Adults following an exercise regime stay younger and fit than other people.

Different strength training exercises can lead to certain benefits. It leads to production of more growth and repair hormones in our body. These help in strengthening of bones, increasing of energy levels, increase of blood circulation in the skin and increase vitality in the body. Strength training exercise helps in creation of energy inside our body which makes us feel less tired.

It is also believed that if you will follow a regular exercise pattern then you can develop a more clear thinking and become more alert than others. Exercise can also reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and cancers. Diseases associated with aging such as blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol can also be controlled or prevented by following a regular exercise routine. Supplements can also be taken along with an exercise regime to gain more benefits.

Anti aging exercise can be as simple as a twenty to thirty minute walk. You can also engage in a sports activity swimming so as stay fit and healthy. By engaging in sports, regular workouts or exercise routine you can surely slow your aging process. These will help you not only to stay fit but will also increase flexibility in your body. It will also help in increased blood circulation that is necessary for a good healthy skin. Proper exercise makes you fit from within the body. If you are fit from inside then it will surely bring a glow at your outlook also.

Anti-Aging Benefits of Green Tea

What is Tea?

Tea is the common name for the Camellia sinensis plant. It is the agricultural product of the leaves, leaf buds, and internodes (the portion of a plant stem between nodes) of the plant that are prepared and cured by various methods. “Tea” also refers to the aromatic beverage prepared from the cured leaves by combination with hot or boiling water.

Tea is known for its stimulant qualities largely attributed to caffeine. Today, herbal teas are known to have many health benefits, preventing a variety of conditions, from heart disease and cancer, to gum disease, skin aging and weight loss. The major types of tea include black, green, oolong and white, differing by the method of harvesting and processing.

The beneficial properties of tea are attributed to polyphenols. The polyphenols found in tea mainly belong to the subtype called catechins. Polyphenols or catechins are better known as antioxidants that fight free radicals. Free radicals are damaging to skin and body by attacking healthy cells. Green tea has more catechins than black tea; white tea is almost as rich in catechins as green tea but is different in composition and less well studied.

So How Is Green Tea Good For My Skin?

There have been number studies of skin benefits of green tea. One of these studies show protection from skin cancer by demonstrating topical green tea formulations can reduce sun damage.(1) Another fascinating study in 2003 was conducted by Dr. Stephen Hsu of the Medical College of Georgia Department of Oral Biology. His findings determined green tea was able to rejuvenate old skin cells at the end of their life cycle.

A quote from Dr. Hsu’s paper explained, “…we report here for the first time, that at certain concentrations, EGCG or a mixture of the major green tea polyphenols stimulated aged keratinocytes to generate biological energy and to synthesize DNA, possibly for renewed cell division.

Therefore, green tea constituents may be useful topically for promoting skin regeneration, wound healing, or treatment of certain epithelial conditions such as aphthous ulcers, psoriasis, rosacea, and actinic keratoses.” (2) Dr. Hsu went on to comment he was “so surprised” to discover EGCG actually reactivated cells that had migrated toward the surface of the skin to ‘die’.

Green tea appears to manipulate sun damage protection by fighting free radicals and reducing inflammation rather than by blocking UV rays. Therefore, green tea enhances sun protection when used in addition to a sunscreen. To boost sun protection, apply a green tea formula under your sunscreen to elevate the level of sun protection. It is best to combine green tea with zinc oxide-based sunscreens because zinc oxide is chemically inert and should not react with green tea (which some chemical sunscreens might do, especially in sunlight). You can also look for green tea in natural soaps, and other facial cleansers.

Topical green tea is also very beneficial for sensitive skin types by reducing inflammation and irritation in the skin. Wrinkles, skin sag and other signs of aging have been shown to benefit from Green tea. The tea’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory polyphenols slow down signs of premature of aging

Use green tea at home to boost your skins health, appearance and reduce signs of aging by freezing freshly brewed green tea as ice cubes and use them as a toner. Let them start thawing first before applying directly to the face to avoid irritation. You can also drink green tea or take green tea extract in capsules to benefit from the anti oxidant properties. The polyphenols will reach your skin via the bloodstream in sufficient amounts.

Using green tea in your skincare routine has definite proven benefits to slow skin aging, reduce acne and protect your skin from cancer among many others. Just be aware of the products you choose. Like most antioxidants, green tea polyphenols are oxidized and can lose their active constituents when exposed to air.

By Tiffany Oney and Rachelle Dupree

References:

(1) Green Tea Polyphenol Treatment to Human Skin Prevents Formation of Ultraviolet Light B-induced Pyrimidine Dimers in DNA (2000). Santosh K. Katiyar, Anaibelith Perez and Hasan Mukhtar. Clinical Cancer Research Vol. 6, 3864-3869, October 2000.

(2) Green Tea Polyphenols Induce Differentiation and Proliferation in Epidermal Keratinocytes (2003). Stephen Hsu, Wendy B. Bollag, Jill Lewis, Qin Huang,Baldev Singh, Mohamed Sharawy, Tetsuya Yamamoto, and George Schuster. Journal of Pharmacology And Experimental Therapeutics. First published on March 27, 2003; DOI: 10.1124/jpet.103.049734

Five Top Ways to Age Gracefully

The biological make-up of our skin begins to show signs of aging as early as our 20s. Age shows not only on our face, neck and chest but all over. There are many ways to care for your skin and prevent premature aging. Following are five ways that you can age gracefully. These are things you can do in your daily life that will dramatically reduce signs of aging.

• Don’t smoke. If you do smoke, quit. We all know that smoking is bad for us and affects our body negatively. Smoking
  

  smoking causes wrinkles

  contributes to premature aging and many other health problems. The many chemicals in cigarettes influence the skin’s structure and dehydrate the cells, resulting in increased aging.

• Get some sleep. Research has shown that people who sleep regularly seven to eight hours a night are healthier than those who lack sleep or over sleep. Sleeping allows the body to repair cellular damage and recharge. To prevent signs of aging on the face, try sleeping on your back. Sleeping on your stomach or side can damage skin by slowing down circulation and weakening the skin’s elasticity, resulting in wrinkles.

• Sunscreen, use it, wear it, and love it. Wear sunscreen everyday-even on cloudy or rainy days, and even if you are just going to be outside a short time. We all know that the sun has harmful affects to the skin. Sun tanning and burning damage the skin, leading to premature aging. Sun exposure over time leads to wrinkles and ugly pigmentation spots. There is no excuse to not wear sunscreen, it comes in all forms and is formulated now to be lightweight and beneficial to the skin as well as giving sun protection.

• Hydrate and Moisturize the skin from the inside and outside. Hydrated skin is healthy and plump, looks moist and shows few wrinkles and lines. As we age our skin loses elasticity; using moisturizers with ingredients such as vitamins and minerals that help repair the skin is the best way to restore elasticity and prevent its break down. Drink lots of water to hydrate the skin internally and use a good moisturizer. Try intense facial moisturizer or zinc repair by Vivoderm.
• A healthy lifestyle and healthy diet can dramatically strengthen the skin and prevent premature aging. Fruits, vegetables,
  

  healthy diet and skin

  nuts and other nutrient- rich produce give the body strength to fight and repair damage. If you are good to your body from the inside out, you will have less external maintenance. Part of a healthy life style is getting exercise, so get up and get moving. Fit people also tend have less heath problems. Health problems can lead to premature aging of the skin by showing wrinkles and damage earlier than those people who choose to be healthy.

There is no way to prevent aging - it is inevitable, however there are ways to slow it down. Today there is plastic surgery and amazing skin care products to improve the look and feel of skin. But it’s never too late to prevent further damage so you don’t have to take the drastic measures of plastic surgery or spend tons of money on skin care later in life.

By Tiffany Oney

Tiffany Oney is a licensed esthetician, professional makeup artist and natural skincare authority.  She is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts in Communications Studies California State University, Long Beach and interning with Vivoderm Natural Skincare in Los Angeles, California.

Natural Skincare and Lifestyle Tips to Age Gracefully

Ahh aging. That all-time nemesis of the twenty-first century.  Everywhere you go, people are trying to look younger. We buy all sorts of high-tech anti aging skincare products, try exercise regimes, new workouts, spending hundreds or even thousands on spa treatments, facials and invasive surgical procedures.  Just so they can look 5 to 10 years younger.  And what is the bottom line? WHY are we all trying to erase the signs of our maturity and experiences? Many blame media or modern culture for putting such a high value on youth and vigor that all other valuable attributes have simply slipped away. Indeed, we see evidence of this all too often - from the workplace that lets their oldest employee go for “budgetary” reasons, to the new dating trend preference of of choosing someone 10 to 20 years your junior.

Maybe it’s the inevitable fear of death that keeps most of us clinging to our years already gone by, but our society looses so much of its value and wisdom by simply paying attention to the surface appearance. Doesn’t it make more sense to take care of yourself as best as you can and age gracefully - without regret or expensive ‘restoration work’?

Of course, most of us would all like to live longer and have a better quality of life. To have the gift of good health in your later years, it makes sense to take care of yourself in your youth. Here are some common-sense lifestyle tips and natural remedies to help grow old youthfully.

Drink More Water

Water makes up approximately 60% of the human body, and there is water in every cell of the body. We cannot survive without water for longer than a few days. With age our sense of thirst gradually diminishes, and the water content of body decreases so many elderly people are somewhat dehydrated. Dehydration is linked to allergies, hypertension, general aches and pains and of course, bad digestion.
Use Organic or Natural Skincare Products

Natural skin care goes beyond the application of products on one’s skin. It also pertains to a holistic philosophy surrounding the care of one’s body. This includes the belief that what is ingested will affect all aspects of health, including the health of skin. People who use natural skin care products are less concerned with artificial beauty enhancements, as they feel that natural beauty is healthy beauty.

Some examples of natural skin care ingredients include jojoba, safflower oil, rose hip seed oil, shea butter, beeswax, witch hazel, aloe vera, tea tree oil, and chamomile. Many of these natural ingredient combinations can be tailored specifically to the individual’s skin type or skin condition.

Eat Healthily

Easier said than done for some, but a healthy diet is essential to your well-being. The old saying “You are what you eat” rings true when we see the rise in dietary related diseases. Don’t be caught digging your grave with your teeth. A balanced diet of fresh, whole (non-processed), organic and preferably raw food should be a large part of your diet.

Basic Guidelines For A Simplified Balanced Diet

* Avoid white flour products
* Eat whole grains such as brown rice, quinoa, millet etc.
* Avoid sugar - rather use honey, agave, xylitol or stevia.
* Eat a variety of legumes (beans, lentils etc.)
* Avoid all hydrogenated fats (margarine etc.)
* Avoid fried foods
* Include low-starch vegetables preferably eaten raw.
* Include foods rich in omega-3 fats.
* Include low-fat, organic protein sources (fish, spirulina, organic whey protein, quinoa)
* Include fresh organic fruit (especially from the super food range) and raw nuts.
* Avoid colourants, flavourants, preservatives and artificial sweeteners.

Whole foods are better than processed. Refined foods result in both a measurable loss of nutrients and an unbalanced food, which creates imbalance in the body when eaten. Living food (such as fresh fruit and vegetables) are more nutritious and better than “dead food” (such as canned foods). Foods grown in “live soil” (organic food) is better than food grown in “sterile soil”. This has largely depleted trace minerals in foods.

How Does Eating Sugar Make You Old?

Eating sugar causes your body to secrete high levels of insulin. Insulin and the stress hormone, cortisol, are two hormones that can dramatically speed up the aging process. Sugar depresses the immune system; it contributes to atherosclerosis, and it causes oxidative stress by creating AGEs (advanced glycosylated end-products). These accumulate in body tissues such as the skin (causing age spots), arteries, kidneys and brain. In other words, eating sugar makes you old.

Do Exercise

Exercise is one of your key weapons in the fight against premature aging. Medical studies prove time and time again that physical exercise is a key factor in the
prevention of chronic disease as well as beneficial for mental function. The main benefit of exercise is the increased oxygen to the brain, heart and other organs which in turn increases their well-being and functioning. Bouncing on a mini-trampoline is a well recommended form of exercise that can be done in the comfort of your own home and at a time that suits your schedule.

Detox

The body detoxifies itself naturally through the skin and other organs of elimination. Assist your body with its cleansing ability by making some lifestyle changes. You need to minimize your exposure to external toxins: changes like drinking pure water, eating organic food, avoiding sources of air pollution and exposure to tobacco, and limiting consumption of alcohol, preservatives, caffeine, sugar and processed foods.

Simple measures like bathing daily, dry brushing, exercising, keeping hydrated, supplementing with herbal remedies that support the organs (like milk thistle for the liver), deep breathing and eating healthily are good routines to follow.

Get Some Sunshine

Natural Vitamin D is another key weapon in the pursuit of good health and longevity. Sunlight is the best form of Vitamin D and its levels in the body affects the entire body. Modern science is now realizing that vitamin D does more than just aid the absorption of calcium and bone formation. It is also involved in multiple repair and maintenance functions, touches hundreds of different genes, and helps to fight infection by regulating the immune system. Vitamin D deficiency is a growing epidemic across the world and contributes to many chronic debilitating diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, osteoporosis, cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and depression, as well as cognitive impairment in older people. Avoid synthetic Vitamin D2 in supplements like fortified foods as high doses have been found to be toxic.

Get More Sleep

Good quality sleep is essential, in fact some say that it’s the best anti-aging tool. While we sleep,the body “recharges” and repairs. The 24-hour circadian rhythm is our internal clock and governs the body’s functions.. This clock helps the body to adapt to the time of day and to environmental changes. Studies have shown a co-dependency between the circadian clock and the body’s metabolism and cellular performance. Disrupted sleep patterns can adversely affect health especially mental health. Some effects include short-term memory loss and impaired creativity as well as weight gain or loss and an increased risk of diabetes and heart disease. Lack of sleep weakens the immune system and may cause decreased production of melatonin, which is produced by the brain during sleep.

Take pleasure in living healthily and make good choices in nutrition, exercise, weight management, mental attitude, work and relationships. This will stand you in good stead for your later years.

References:
1. Science Daily March 19, 2009: How Your Body Clock Regulates Your Metabolism.

2.http://articles.mercola.com/sites/a…

3.http://www.topantiagingtips.com/sle…

4. Bland JS. Improving Genetic Expression in the Prevention of the Disease of Aging - A Functional Medicine Approach to Anti-aging Medicine. Gig Harbour, WA:
HealthComm Intl, 1998

5. Grossman T. The Baby Boomer’s Guide to Living Forever. Golden, CO: Hubristic Press, 2000:127

Restoring Your Youthful Appearance

Facial rejuvenation is the term used to encompass all forms of restoring a youthful appearance to the face. It includes the broad categories of:

* Injectables (Botox® & fillers) (See BotoxFacts.ca for additional uses of Botox®);
* Resurfacing procedures (laser treatment, microdermabrasion & chemical peels);
* Surgical rejuvenation (brow lifts, eyelid surgery; facelifts, nose jobs, face and chin augmentation, and neck lifts);
* Topical tretinoin and tazarotene which reverse sun damage and enhance collagen production. The normal changes associated with facial aging are the result of both:

* intrinsic (age related fat and bone loss known as atrophy, and skin laxity for example) and
* extrinsic factors (like ultraviolet light / sunlight, chemicals, and smoking).

These factors contribute to biological changes associated with age and create predictable patterns of facial change. An over-simplistic analogy is mimicked by the changes in the helium balloon your child wouldn’t let you throw away. With time there is loss of internal volume (gas in this example) and as a result the covering loses its taught shape, luster, and becomes wrinkled. Moreover, there is a marked change in shape of the entire structure. Naturally, similar changes on your face can be highly distressing especially since many available treatments are being promoted.

Physicians can treat facial aging three ways: through reduction (making the skin “fit”), augmentation (“stretching” the skin back to normal) or a combination of the two.

When it comes to choosing a rejuvenation procedure, the severity of the facial aging must be considered. Here’s a review:

* Wrinkles (individual fine or deep rhytids) are managed well by Botox® or injectable fillers. Although other agents are touted to produce similar results, Botox® is currently unsurpassed in its ability to soften or eliminate wrinkles caused directly by the action of underlying muscles of facial animation. (Botox Facts has more information for you)

* For wrinkles that may not be contributed to directly by facial movement or for depressed scars; superficial or deep fillers (ranging from collagen, hyaluronic acid and poly-L-lactic acid to silicone particles and bone cement and even your own injected fat). These can also be used for wrinkles, scars, and soft tissue augmentation (most commnly lip augmentation).

* When you have wrinkles involving larger areas or if it’s related to sun-damage, the underlying problem commonly lies in the biological changes in the skin itself. Here rejuvenation methods such as laser resurfacing, microdermabrasion, and chemical peels act to restore some of the lost intrinsic biologic properties of the skin and can provide a significant restorative change over these large areas. These treatments use light associated heat, physical sanding, or chemicals, respectively, to remove the surface layers of the skin and hence stimulate a regenerative-like process. Many common skin creams advertised to improve facial wrinkles contain glycolic or other acids used in light chemical peels to help improve the taughtness of your treated skin.

* As the severity of skin aging increases, injection and resurfacing procedures may be combined themselves or with surgical rejuvenation (possibly in a staged fashion).
* Surgical management of more severe forms of facial aging can be through an additive (implants), reductive (excisions or tucks), or combined approach. Modern rhinoplasties (“nosejobs”) are a good example where combined approaches of reduction by excision and

augmentation through cartilage grafting are employed. As these procedures typically address changes in the three-dimensional volume (deep structures) and in the skin (envelope or cover) they obviously provide the greatest extent of rejuvenation and can address the greatest degrees of facial change. That said, they do come with a limited amount of scaring and the possibly some temporary numbness. Often these scars, created in lines of election, are fine and highly acceptable with some rare exceptions.

* Topical tretinoin and tazarotene can improve fine lines and the general appearance of the skin. The down-side is that you need to continue to use these topical treatments in order to maintain its effect. Sometimes, tretinoin and tazarotene can be combined with the procedures listed above to enhance the effects.

Although you may hear more and more about treating aging skin with the procedures and products mentioned above, we all know that the best form of care is through modification of your exposure to the extrinsic “modifiable” risk factors, like sun exposure (See Skin Cancer Guide for more information).

By: Dr Bryce J Cowan BSc MSc MD PhD FRCS(C)

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