The Anti-Aging Face Off

What's what? But more importantly, what works?
Four star ingredients are explored in this post towards effective skincare, some preventative, others correctionary. These are all varied products for women at different stages of their skincare regimes. Young or old - rejoice.

If it's not on the list, it's just not that effective, sorry. It's not worth writing about if it doesn't work.

HYALURONIC ACID

Hyaluronic acid is the new ‘go-to’ ingredient. It’s hot right now because it attracts molecules 1000 x its size. The problem is that it’s too large a molecule itself to actually fit through our pores.

That’s why only injectable hyaluronic acid found in certain dermal fillers actually works.

Dr. Solish explains that it's not effective as a topical cream. Hyaluronic acid in topical creams or serums is completely ineffective. It may smooth the outer layer of the dermis, but it’s not getting penetrated into your pores at all because it’s too large to get through the skin barrier.

As a dermal filler, however, it is extremely effective, and it is because it cannot move through our skin barrier that it stays effective. In fact, dermal fillers are made of 80-90% hyaluronic acid, which is a naturally occurring sugar in our bodies. Because of this, it has largely replaced collagen as an injectable filler. When injected, by a skilled doctor or dermatologist, of course, it is able to then live up to its potential to attract moisture molecules and give the ‘rejuvenated’ lifted look.

Hyaluronic acid only works when injected. And it looks natural because it is a natural occurring molecule in our body.

Remember, hyaluronic acid wears off between 8-10 months so it’s considered a temporary filler.

What's there not to love? It looks so natural.

Do not attempt injection at home ever. Always seek a medical professional, and by that I mean a reputable doctor.

The thing about fillers is that they a) are not going to be cheap  ($400-$750 per injection but you may need two for each cheek for example) and b) that’s the point if you want your face to look ‘a little better than natural.’ You need to pay $ for quality.

This is not a surgical procedure and requires no recovery time.

Since this is a serum- this really  is not the best hyaluronic acid skincare line.

If you want to stick to creams and serums, please do not waste your money on topical hyaluronic acid. It works only when it’s inside your skin….via injection. Otherwise, just stick to moisturizing routines and sunscreen.

Just no. Do not buy these products. You are wasting your money.

SUNSCREEN

Skin damage is especially visible on fair skin. I know a freckled red-headed girl who has crow’s feet at age 23 and this is because she consistently tans.  I am not mentioning forehead wrinkles and frown lines, which normally people can develop in their twenties. But crow’s feet? That’s not generally something you get in your early twenties unless you are reckless.

With a fair complexion it’s a no-brainer to avoid the sun and use sunscreen. Please invest in 30 SPF at least! With all those BB foundation creams on the market, there are no excuses for you to not use sunscreen as part of your beauty routine.

With this dry-touch formula, sunscreen on your face has never been easier, and not at all greasy.

The sun damages white women much more than coloured or darker Asian women because there is little to no naturally occurring melanin to protect from the sun’s damage. A ‘tan’ is just as bad as a sunburn in the long run. You’ll see when you start seeing more wrinkles than women your age and when you start finding sunspots, freckles and moles over your shoulders, chest, back, cheeks. Preventative beauty regimes can be as simple as applying sunscreen!

Beyond sunscreen…that is, if you already use sunscreen and want to go one step further….

RETINOIDS & RETINOL-A

If you want a beauty routine that works topically, look for retinoids or retinol-A as a topical cream. There is a prescription  cream known as retinol-A that you can request from your doctor.

There is also retinol and retinoid found in over-the-counter designer creams.

Don’t just buy a random Olay or Clinique anti-aging cream and believe all the hype. Every single anti-aging cream promises that you will look younger. I think the only thing they can truly deliver on that promise is to moisturise, so you might as well invest in something cheaper like shea butter or a St. Ive’s moisturiser.

If you want an anti-aging cream, only creams that have retinoids and retinols are truly effective. Do not waste your precious money on other ingredients.

BOTOX

Oh man, I just dropped the B-word, didn’t I? Botox has the reputation equivalent to surgical procedures. People equate Botox with plastic surgery even though the procedure is actually a temporary injectable. It lasts 3 months, and yes it can look terrible if you don’t go to a doctor.

Want to know why Botox is equated with plastic surgery? Because the women who are most obviously using Botox (Real Housewives of …) are also using surgical procedures. They are doing both and they are clearly injecting more Botox than they need.

If you Google 'Botox' you will get a 'Botox Gone Wrong' suggestion. Most of these examples are women with considerable surgical procedures which are permanent and invasive  unlike Botox which is temporary and not deforming.

The working woman’s Botox looks completely different, by the way. Weksberg notes that most of his patients for Botox and fillers are working women. Compared to also non-surgical dermal fillers, Botox is the most cost-effective method of wrinkle control. Expect to pay between $10-$15 per unit.

What Botox really looks like...

Natural results. Not Real Housewives. 

Challenge: It’s still the B-word and very hush-hush because of its reputation.

I say do whatever you need to do and always opt for the ‘less-is-more’ look. Remember, you can always add more if you need later, but you cannot remove what you’ve overdone.

It takes 7 days for Botox to appear. It starts fading after 3-4 months.

Botox generally takes 5-7 days to surface unlike dermal fillers which are instantaneous in effect. Patients can sometimes ‘freak out’ if they don’t see the Botox working. Then again 0.5-3% of people are actually immune to Botox and will not see any results.

Before you can call yourself one of those cases, please wait and see. Wait a week before you call the doctor. Do not jump the gun with assumptions.

It’s very important to always get the injections from a doctor, because too many women die every year from stupidity- not vanity- by injecting themselves or receiving injections in their basement or from a spa practitioner.

Vanity is not the cause of death-by-injection, it is instead ignorance and the consumer being cheap. If something seems like it is too good to be true price-wise, IT IS! Run away!

And remember, that women have the right to choose what they please with their bodies. Don’t let anyone dictate what you can and cannot do to your body. We live in a day and age where we are expected to be beautiful sure, but looking after yourself and taking part in preventative and cosmetic procedures should not be shamed.

Being concerned with your look or image and loving yourself as you are – these two are not mutually exclusive. You can do both, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Remember, you also are under no obligation to admit to any non-surgical procedures.Nor even surgical procedures that you get.  You should be able to get a procedure including surgery without feeling guilty. Don’t let everyone else’s ideas influence your decisions.

I always believe that  you should…

Live and let live.

And do your research.

And expect to pay the market price at least for a qualified physician.

And don’t look for quick fixes solely. You also have to put in work to make yourself better. This includes diet, exercise and commitment.

And remember looking good doesn’t mean you’re healthy. (So use that sunscreen and stop over-tanning).