Skin: which habits and non-invasive interventions are decisive for maintaining youth?

Small routine care can make a big difference in terms of health and beauty

The aesthetics market offers a multitude of techniques and products that promise to make us more beautiful and younger, but before choosing an intervention or investing in a particular cosmetic It is important to evaluate how daily care of our body and skin is affecting our appearance.

“To maintain youth we must first talk about lifestyle habits. The practice of physical activityfor example, it is a very relevant factor, because every time we stimulate the muscles, they release different substances, especially myokine, which contribute to the maintenance and regeneration of tissues, including the skin”, says dermatologist Abdo Salomão Jr, member of the Society Brazilian from Dermatology (SBD) and international bodies such as the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).

A study conducted at McMaster University, Canada, reinforced the existence of this relationship. The researchers recruited 29 volunteers of both sexes, aged between 20 and 84. A portion of this group exercised regularly for three hours a week, while the rest led a sedentary lifestyle.

The scientists took skin samples from the participants’ buttocks, an area that has minimal sun exposure, and compared them. The results showed that the active patients’ skin appeared to be that of younger people.

Additionally, the researchers began an exercise program with sedentary people aged 65 and older with normal skin for their age, in which they ran or cycled for 30 minutes twice a week, using at least 65% of their their maximum aerobic capacity.

After three months, the biopsies were repeated and the samples turned out to belong to people aged between 20 and 40, demonstrating that the practice of physical activities contributed to the regression of the typical signs of aging. Like Salomão Jr., the authors of the work attributed the improvement in skin health and appearance to substances secreted by muscle cells, such as myokine.

Importance of adequate nutrition

THE food it is also decisive. Having a balanced, varied and balanced menu is essential. Some nutrients in particular cannot be forgotten to make the fabric brighter, firmer and with fewer wrinkles. Foods rich in vitamin C, such as orange, lemon, kiwi and broccoli, are an example of this, as they participate in the formation of collagen and are excellent antioxidants, counteracting the effects of free radicals, molecules that are mainly responsible for premature aging.

Vitamin E, present in oilseeds, dark green leafy vegetables and vegetable oils, among others, also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. The same goes for vitamin A, contained in orange fruits and vegetables, which also helps in the formation of collagen and cell renewal.

Sources of omega-3, such as fish (especially salmon, tuna and sardines), chia and flax seeds are other foods not to forget, as they help improve skin inflammation, keep the scalp more hydrated and improve blood circulation in the region. , helping to make hair stronger and healthier. Chocolate – in its bitter version – is also welcome, as it is rich in flavonoids, a powerful antioxidant.

The elements that help maintain the balance of the intestinal flora also make a difference, as the microbiota influences the renewal of skin cells, collagen production, hydration and inflammatory processes, preventing conditions such as acne, eczema and rosacea. Therefore, don’t leave fruits, vegetables, whole grains and probiotics off the menu.

Role of hydration

Hydration, in turn, is one of the most important steps in keeping your skin beautiful and young. This is because dehydration leaves the tissue rough, dull and highlights wrinkles and expression lines.

The ideal amount varies: what is recommended by World Health Organization (WHO) consists of drinking 35 ml of water per kg of weight. Therefore, a person weighing 80 kg, for example, should drink 2.8 liters per day. Water-rich foods, such as melon and cucumber, also help keep the body well hydrated.

On the other hand, foods high in salt are not a good option because they can cause bloating, dehydration and an aged appearance. Sugar is another to avoid, as it causes what is called glycation, a chemical reaction that occurs between the ingredient and collagen and elastin, damaging the action of the proteins and promoting the appearance of wrinkles, sagging and skin dullness. Sugar even worsens acne, as do white flour-based dishes, due to their high glycemic index.

“Adequate sleep is another pillar that must be well consolidated to have natural beauty,” says dermatologist Adriana Vilarinho, guest of Health and Wellness Summitwhich will be promoted by Estadao on October 13th and 14th.

During rest, the body produces hormones that act on skin renewal, mainly GH, known as growth hormone, and ACTH, which controls the production of cortisol, the stress hormone. Therefore, when we do not sleep well, more cortisol is secreted, which accelerates premature aging and can worsen skin diseases such as psoriasis and eczema.

It is necessary to do this skin care?

“Do the skin care daily is also essential”, says Vilarinho. This care routine is essential to ensure that the skin remains healthy and young-looking, as it promotes deep cleansing of the tissues and has treatment formulas that fight acne, sebum in excess and fine lines.

Furthermore, this routine ensures hydration and protection of the skin, since the last step is the application of sunscreen. It should be applied daily in the morning and reapplied at lunchtime and around 4pm. “It is already more than proven that ultraviolet radiation is the main external factor that promotes the degradation of collagen and the death of fibroblasts, the cells that produce collagen, as well as causing blemishes and skin cancer,” says Salomão Jr.

This recommendation also applies to cold, cloudy days, as much of the UV rays pass through clouds and fall to the Earth even when the temperature is low. This happens especially with UVA rays, which have a constant incidence throughout the day and are the most harmful to the skin, causing wrinkles, imperfections, sagging and being the main culprits of tumors. Therefore, you need to apply sunscreen come rain or shine.

Experts point out, however, that there is no formula for skin care that works for everyone. Each skin has its own peculiarities and needs and it is essential that they are respected. Those with drier skin, for example, should prioritize oilier products.

However, some products are generally recommended for all profiles, such as vitamin C, retinoic acid derivatives, and oral collagen. It’s worth consulting a dermatologist to find out if they might be right for you too.

The help of cosmetics and beauty treatments

Even those with a skin-friendly routine sometimes feel the need to undergo aesthetic treatments, and minimally invasive treatments are a great option.

“Today we focus much more on the regeneration and regression of our patients’ skin cells than simply filling the aging holes they may have,” says dermatologist Mônica Aribi, also a member of the SBD and the AAD.

Mônica mentions, for example, LaserMe technology. “It acts in the deep dermis and produces a large amount of collagen, as well as allowing the doctor to choose the drug he wants to administer to the patient without having to inject it.”

The technology, explains the doctor, creates canaliculi that connect the epidermis with the deep dermis. If the goal is rejuvenation, for example, exosomes, tiny bubbles secreted by cells rich in proteins and growth factors, could come into play.

Another option is PDRN, a purified and sterilized salmon DNA derivative. “Exosomes and PDRN are part of regenerative therapies that act as if they turn back the speedometer of the skin, since they can recover their cells when they are already very worn and with little activity,” says Salomão Jr.

“When a person is still young and does not need to regenerate tissues, but rather to prevent the progression of aging, we can use Radiance, an injectable gel with a filling effect that stimulates collagen production, improving tone, hydration and elasticity of the skin,” says Monica.

They also list options such as Hydrafacial, a device that allows you to reach and treat the deeper layers of the skin, helping with acne and seborrhea for example; the Quadri Pico laser, which creates cutting tension within the skin, leading to the accumulation of blood and growth factors, promoting rejuvenation; Atria, which generates a lifting effect without surgery; and hybrid CO2, which has a similar result to phenol.

All these technologies share space with the botulinum toxinthey support discussions and fillers. “The latter are widely applied within the ligaments to create a lifting effect and even to modify the silhouette of the face, increasing the jawline and chin, projecting the face upwards and harmonizing the cheekbones, for example,” says Salomão Jr.

Despite the results, experts stress the importance of common sense when opting for aesthetic treatments. “When they are frequent, we often see a caricature of a human being. A 60-year-old person who could be a well-groomed and beautiful lady turns into a caricature of a young elderly woman, and this is very sad,” Monica says.

The “Health and Wellbeing Summit – Is the Future of Health Here Yet?” will be held on October 13 and 14, from 8:00 to 18:30, at the JK Iguatemi Shopping Event Space, in Sao Paulo. To register, go to this link.

Source: Terra

Ben

Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.