Every woman strives to always remain attractive. The most important guarantee for this is the right facial care, which is also possible at home. We are talking about anti-aging treatments and face lifting that can be done at home.
Causes of skin aging
The causes of aging are not yet fully understood by science. But its manifestations have been well studied. The main thing is a violation of the resistance of tissue to the metabolic processes occurring in it. To put it simply, the cells of the body cannot restore their chemical balance after the reactions that have taken place in them, which is why they lose their functionality and cannot perform their tasks with the same efficiency. If we talk about the skin, it loses its elasticity, becomes too dry and develops wrinkles. There are other factors that lead to greater or premature aging of the epidermis:
- lack of skin care;
- poor diet;
- frequent exposure to the skin (e. g. cold).
Although skin aging is inevitable anyway, it can be slowed down or reduced in its manifestations with the help of care and preventive measures.
Skin care tips
Home facial care to prevent aging of the epidermal tissue includes a comprehensive package of measures. Let's talk about the main ones that every woman should take.
Makeup removal
Although modern cosmetics contain components that are only safe for the human body, they place a certain burden on the skin of the face. For example, a foundation clogs the pores and does not allow them to breathe. Therefore, make-up should always be removed when returning home. To remove it, you should use neutral products or (if possible) plain water.
Facial cleansing
Epidermal tissue is regularly renewed. The frequency of this process depends on the characteristics of the body and averages between 20 and 40 days in different people. Dead skin cells shed, but often do not fall off on their own and remain on the face. This has two adverse consequences. First, dead tissue clogs pores and prevents the skin from breathing. Secondly, it can contribute to the development of pathogenic microflora. Therefore, your face needs to be cleaned regularly. The most effective and safest way to do this is with special peelings or pads. They remove dead skin particles well without causing any harm.
Tightening of facial skin
As mentioned above, with increasing age it becomes more and more difficult for the epidermal cells to restore the chemical balance disturbed during metabolic processes. This causes the skin to lose its elasticity, which is due to a change in its composition. This problem is solved by additional tightening of the skin using special cosmetics. They are called tonics or toners.
Choosing a tonic must be done taking into account the characteristics of your skin. For example, mattifying toners cannot be used if they are too dry - this can only be harmful.
Moisturizing facial skin
As we age, many women suffer from dry skin caused by an imbalance in the chemical balance of the epidermis. This affects the appearance of the skin and can also lead to harmful health consequences - for example the development of micro-cracks.
Dry skin is combated with the help of special cosmetics. Today there are many serums on the market that saturate the epidermal tissue with moisture.
There are also folk remedies for moisturizing that use medicinal plants. For example, you can apply gauze soaked in chamomile decoction to your face or make a mask from crushed aloe leaves. This also helps eliminate dryness.
Use of sunscreen
Under the influence of ultraviolet radiation contained in the sun's rays, the upper layer of the epidermis dies. This leads to drying and flaking of the skin. Unfavorable processes also occur in the deeper layers of the epidermal tissue - the hormone melanin is produced in the body by the sun's rays. Its excess can lead to metabolic disorders in the skin and, as a result, to a deterioration in its appearance.
For this reason, the face and other parts of the body must be covered with sunscreen when staying in the sun. Not only does it prevent the negative effects of excessive tanning, but it also moisturizes the skin, which is also very important in the summer heat. It is also recommended to wear a hat with a peak to prevent the sun's rays from reaching your face.
Regular facial massage
The skin itself does not produce essential nutrients, but absorbs them through the blood. However, with increasing age, the blood supply to the epidermis decreases and at the same time the condition of the skin and its appearance deteriorate.
The situation can be resolved by improving blood circulation in the facial area. The easiest way to do this at home is with a massage.
No complex massage techniques are required. You can simply move your palms over your face for 2-3 minutes, starting from the area of your forehead above the bridge of your nose.
This alone leads to a noticeable blood circulation in the epidermis and an increase in the amount of nutrients in the massaged area, which leads to a tightening of the facial skin.
It is recommended to do this massage at least once a day. It's best to do it at the end of the day, 1. 5-2 hours before bed.
Proper nutrition and drinking water
To maintain the chemical balance of your facial skin, you need to eat right. You should exclude too fatty and high-calorie foods from your diet, do not eat a lot of salty and sweet foods, avoid fast food and processed foods.
It is also recommended to limit the consumption of coffee and alcohol to a minimum, as they impair capillary circulation, the former narrowing the blood vessels and the latter dilating them. This has a negative effect on the epidermal capillaries.
The following products are considered beneficial for facial skin:
- fruits, vegetables and herbs;
- Dairy products;
- large;
- bran bread;
- Fish and seafood;
- lean meat.
The food should be varied. For example, there is porridge for breakfast, lean meat with a side dish for lunch, and a small fruit snack for dinner. The menu of each next day should be different from the previous one (at least within a week). Between main meals, you need to prepare snacks while reducing portions of lunch, breakfast and dinner. In total there should be 4-6 meals per day.
Drinking habits are also important for skin health. You should drink 1-2 liters of water daily. This helps maintain the required level of moisture in the epidermis. You should not replace water with carbonated drinks, juice or compote. This is all about clean drinking water. The only alternative is mineral water, preferably still or slightly carbonated water.
It is advisable to drink in small portions when you wake up and throughout the day when you feel thirsty. But after 7: 00 p. m. it is better to avoid drinking water. The fact is that in the evening, when the body is preparing for sleep, metabolic processes slow down, and moisture consumption can lead to microedema, which in the future can negatively affect the condition and appearance of the skin of the face.
Facial skin rejuvenation techniques
The most common facial skin rejuvenation techniques are:
- facelift;
- Peeling;
- microcurrents, darsonvalization and phototherapy;
- masks, patches and serums;
- Ultrasonic cleaning, vacuuming.
Let's take a closer look at each element.
Facelift
The term comes from the English "lift" – to lift. The name reflects its essence well: during the procedure, the skin tone increases and it seems as if it is tightening.
Today there are several types of lifting, but only two can be done at home.
RF lifting
With this technique, the epidermis is influenced by radio waves, triggering natural regeneration processes in the skin.
Ultrasonic
The skin is exposed to ultrasound. It is carried out at home using a special manual device.
Microcurrents, darsonvalization and phototherapy
Nowadays facial physiotherapy is possible at home to improve skin conditions:
- Microcurrents.This is the effect of low current and low voltage on the epidermis. Improves skin tone.
- darsonvalization.The procedure is similar to the previous one, but involves changing the frequency of electricity and affecting a smaller area of skin. Also improves skin tone.
- Phototherapy.Provides moderate exposure of the skin to ultraviolet and infrared light through a special mask. Normalizes metabolic processes of the epidermis.
All three procedures are carried out using special equipment. Microcurrents also require a special conductive gel that is applied to the face.
Masks, patches and serums
In masks, a nutritional composition is applied to the face to supply the epidermal cells with substances necessary for normal functioning. You can prepare them yourself. The compositions depend on the goals of the procedure. So a moisturizing mask is different from a nourishing one. The universal composition should include proteins, fats, vitamins and amino acids, so one of the most common recipes includes:
- 2 tsp cottage cheese;
- 1 medium cucumber without peel;
- 1 tsp olive oil.
Leave the mask on your face for about an hour. If necessary, you can alternate different compositions for different tasks.
Ready-made masks can be purchased in the store. You can simply apply it to your face (sometimes you need to dilute it with water).
Plasters are pieces of fabric soaked in nutrients. They work like masks but are more comfortable to use.
Serum is essentially a mask concentrate. It is applied to the face for a short time (5-15 minutes) and in a very small amount (usually 2-3 drops depending on the product).
Ultrasonic cleaning, vacuuming
These procedures are used to unclog pores clogged by oily secretions. As the name suggests, ultrasonic cleaning uses ultrasound, while vacuum cleaning uses negative pressure. Both process variants are carried out using special equipment.
peeling
Facial peeling is a procedure used to remove dead skin cells from the facial area. The following types are available at home:
- Chemical.A special composition is applied to the face that breaks down dead epidermal tissue. It is then cleaned.
- Mechanically.In this case, the beautician performs the peeling manually using special brushes and graters.
- Ultrasonic.Ultrasonic pulses are sent to the skin, removing dead skin cells.
Ultrasonic peeling is preferable – it is safe and effective.
Massage to rejuvenate facial skin
Self-massage of the face is an effective procedure that can be done at home. She helps:
- improving blood circulation in the epidermal tissue;
- normalize metabolic processes in the skin;
- Improve facial skin tone.
The easiest way to self-massage the face is by simply stroking it, which should start on the forehead above the bridge of the nose. But that's not enough for a really good effect. To make massage procedures as effective as possible, you need to use several techniques and alternate them correctly.
Popular products and ingredients for facial skin rejuvenation
The following substances and plants are most often used for facial care and skin rejuvenation:
- aloe vera;
- retinol;
- Vitamin C;
- hyaluronic acid;
- collagen;
- Omega-3 fatty acids.
Let's talk about how useful they are.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera (and other types of plants) are primarily used to moisturize the skin because they contain a lot of water and preservatives. In addition, they perfectly supply the epidermis with amino acids, vitamins and tannins (aloin, resins), which increase skin tone. Another property of the plant is its ability to kill pathogens. Aloe vera is often used instead of or together with cucumber in masks.
Retinol
Retinol or real vitamin A plays an important role in redox processes and the regulation of protein synthesis in the body. In fact, the restoration of many tissues, including epidermal tissue, is impossible without them. And that means a renewal of the facial skin. Retinol is used in creams and masks and is also taken orally in treatments - individually or as part of multivitamin complexes.
vitamin C
Vitamin C is responsible for healing and restoring the protective functions of the skin, as well as its ability to resist the effects of harmful microflora. Regular intake of the substance makes the epidermis more elastic, helps it better resist the harmful effects of the sun and retain moisture. Used in masks, creams or internally.
Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is one of the elements that make up skin cells. It is involved in the metabolic processes of the epidermis and ensures the normal functioning of the subcutaneous nerves and capillaries. As we age, it is produced less and less, so the epidermis is supplied with the substance from the outside - with the help of creams, plasters and masks.
Collagen
Collagen is a protein that forms the basis of the dermis, the lower part of the skin that lies beneath the epidermis. If it is lacking, the structure of the dermis changes. This leads to sagging skin, decreased skin tone and the appearance of wrinkles. The lack of collagen is compensated for with the help of special cosmetics containing collagen. Since protein promotes the absorption of other nutrients by the cells of the human body and their maintenance, cosmetics with it give good results.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are substances that are involved in protein synthesis, but the human body cannot synthesize them itself. Without them, complete regeneration of the epidermis is not possible. To obtain a normal dose of omega-3 fatty acids, a balanced diet including fish is required. Or take them individually - orally or as part of facial care products that nourish the skin.
Recommendations and precautions
The wrong approach to skin care, rejuvenation and aging prevention can be harmful. Here are some important rules and recommendations, following which will help avoid negative consequences and harm to health.
This way you avoid damage to your facial skin and care for it at the same time
Massage and physiotherapeutic skin care procedures cannot be performed if you:
- dermatological diseases;
- Injuries (bruises, abrasions, cuts);
- neurological pathologies of the face;
- oncological diseases.
If you experience any discomfort during the procedure, you should stop the session immediately. If the symptoms persist, you should consult a doctor.
Do not use excessive force during procedures such as massage or mechanical peeling. This can lead to skin injuries.
How to choose skin care products
Ideally, skin care products should be prescribed by a beautician. If you cannot visit it, it is better to follow the cosmetic manufacturer's recommendations. As a rule, he indicates on his product the intended use, the skin type for which it is intended, as well as contraindications. You should pay particular attention to the latter - this will help avoid future problems.
When it comes to brands, you should concentrate on more or less proven and popular brands. If you buy "no-name" cosmetics, problems may arise. At least this is the lack of the desired result when using them. Well, in the worst case, various adverse consequences may occur – for example, irritation.
If redness, rashes, or swelling occur after using the skin care product, you should stop using it immediately. If these symptoms do not go away on their own after a while, you should seek medical help.
When to turn to professionals
It will never be a bad idea to seek professional cosmetology help. A qualified cosmetologist will perform any procedure better than a person who does not have special knowledge and skills in the relevant medical field. That's why you should contact professionals if possible. Even if you do not have serious problems with your skin disease, a beautician will select the most effective skin care products and recommend appropriate home measures that will help your facial skin stay young longer and slow down its aging.
Diploma
With increasing age, the condition of the facial skin deteriorates. You can improve it at home. Preventive measures (proper nutrition, cleansing, timely removal of makeup), the use of cosmetics and care products (masks, plasters, serums), physiotherapeutic techniques (microcurrents), massage help. None of the above remedies can be called absolutely effective. All of these measures only lead to the best results when combined (e. g. prevention + regular masks + massage).
With regular skin care with the correct and thoughtful selection of procedures, their condition begins to improve within 3-4 weeks. It becomes less dry, more elastic and more attractive. At the same time, the general condition of the body improves - after all, rejuvenation of the epidermis is associated with proper nutrition, drinking water, and taking vitamins and microelements. Your peace of mind will improve, not least because you will be happy with your appearance.