On the blog today we are welcoming back one of our own, Emily Altman! Emily is such a talented Laser and Skincare Specialist on our RA team and she has been a trusted expert in this field for over a decade. She is passionate about guiding patients through every stage of their skincare journey, and today she’s sharing her expertise on what you can be doing for your skin at every age. Take it away, Emily!
Have you ever wanted to start taking care of your skin, but didn’t know where to start? You are not alone! At Racquel Aesthetics, we see patients all the time that want to take better care of their skin, but are overwhelmed by the many treatments and skincare lines that are available. At RA, we have carefully curated and extensively tested the best devices, techniques and skincare to remove the guess work for our patients. With a staff of expert providers and many years of experience, we are here to guide patients every step of the way, so that they achieve maximum results!
One of the many questions that I get asked is what should I be doing in my specific age group to help prevent and maintain my skin? As a laser provider for over 10+ years, I have helped many men and women over the course of my career achieve their dream skin. Below, I go over what causes aging as well as the treatments and skincare I recommended to achieve that glowing skin no matter what decade of life you are in!
What causes aging?
The three main layers of the skin, epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis slowly lose firmness and elasticity, which makes the skin loose and crepey. The skin is also subject to oxidation, a process caused by internal and external factors such as sleep, diet, stress and environmental pollutants that can accelerate the aging process. In addition, 80% of premature aging comes from the sun! SPF is always the cheapest and most effective way to prevent the aging process.
What to do in your 20’s
The 20’s are all about prevention. Collagen production is still high, so skin maintains its elasticity and firmness. Patients should focus on sun protection, skincare, and healthy lifestyle habits. This includes wearing sunscreen daily, double cleansing at night to make sure make-up and SPF are properly washed off, adopting a consistent skincare routine with antioxidants and retinoids, and eating a balanced diet, managing stress and prioritizing sleep.
Product Recommendations: Gentle Foaming Cleanser, Tinted Protect SPF 50, Forever Young Retinol 25, Radiant Vitamin C. If acne-prone, consider Mandelic Pads 5%.
Treatments Recommendations: Treatments that should be considered are routine facials (Hydrafacials or Custom and Corrective) and a yearly Moxi laser to refine tone, texture, pore size and give the skin a nice, polish and glow. Conservative Botox can be administered to prevent muscle movement from forming deep lines.
What to do in your 30’s/40’s
The skin is not quite as resilient. As your responsibilities grow, so can stress levels. Without realizing it, your skin can look more tired and less radiant. Why? After 30, your skin’s regenerative capacity decreases drastically. Slower skin cell turnover can leave skin looking dehydrated and therefore prone to showing fine lines. At 40, the skin may start showing the first signs of sagging due to a gradual loss of collagen and elastin production. Expression lines are also more apparent, and the skin starts to show signs of all those summers spent without SPF. In this decade, a skincare routine needs to be intentional and well-curated.
Now is the time to add products to your daily routine that focus on BOTH preventing and repairing the first signs of aging as well as sun damage. Eye creams are a great product to introduce into a skincare routine. Targeted formulas with retinol can help reduce wrinkles and crinkles around the eye. Potent serums with hyaluronic acid and peptides are perfect for not only deeply hydrating the skin, but also boosting the skin’s collagen levels. Finally, a melanin inhibitor will help brighten up the skin and erase any years that were previously spent in the sun.
Product Recommendations: Continue with the products used in your 20’s and in addition add in; Youthful Eye Cream, HA Peptide Serum, Koji Clear Pads
Treatment Recommendations: BBL/Moxi combo. BBL or broadband light, targets pigment in the skin such as sun damage or broken capillaries. When combined with the power of Moxi, this dual modality treatment helps revitalize and refresh the skin paving the way for a clean canvas. A series of microneedling once a year to stimulate collagen and elastin production is also a great treatment boost without a lot of downtime. Now is also a good time to speak to an injection specialist about filler or regenerative medicine like PRP and Sculptura.
What to do in your 50’s/60’s
This the era where patients should take steps to slow down the aging process. While we can’t change mother nature, you can change your habits. Diet, exercise, stress and sleep all play a role in aging gracefully. In this decade, patients notice volume loss and sagging in their face. Targeted treatments focused on restoring collagen should be implemented. Patients should be using products that will help correct the signs of aging like vitamin C, retinol, SPF, hyaluronic acid, moisturizers with ceramides and lipids, and pigment inhibitors.
Product Recommendations: Radiant Vitamin C, Forever Young Retinol 25, HA Peptide, Hydralipid Moisturizer, Koji Clear Pads, Youthful Eye Cream (PM) and Hydrating Eye Cream (AM).
Treatment Recommendations: Tetra CoolPeel CO2. This laser harnesses the power of traditional CO2 resurfacing, without the associated downtime. Collagen is stimulated while the coolpeel laser helps to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. A series of 3 treatments is recommended initially, followed by 1-2/year for maintenance. Botox and fillers are also helpful in correcting fine lines. See an injection specialist for a customized plan to restore volume loss.
Aging is a natural part of life, but with the right guidance and a personalized plan, you can feel confident and radiant at every stage. Whether you’re just starting your skincare journey in your 20s, or refining your routine in your 50s and beyond, there are effective treatments and products available to help you look and feel your best. At Racquel Aesthetics, we are passionate about partnering with you through each decade, offering expert recommendations and proven solutions tailored to your unique skin. No matter where you’re starting from, your dream skin is within reach and we’re here to help you every step of the way!
Ready to start your laser and skincare journey? Email me at Emily@racquelaesthetics.com or message me on Instagram @aesthetics_by_emily. I would love to connect with you!
XO,
Emily Altman
