Turning back the clock

Posted on 25 Sep, 2011

We all know ageing is inevitable; however, most of us can have difficulty accepting it, particularly where our looks are concerned. Ageing brings changes to our appearance such as age spots, wrinkles and thread veins.

The onset of these signs of getting older can be delayed: our skin starts to suffer from the environment it exists in and the uses that are made of it. The sun is notoriously bad for our skin, as is smoking, but so is environmental pollution. And so is smiling. Frowning is even worse. So, even though you can take measures to look after and protect your skin, it will naturally start to change as time goes by.

Younger skin replaces its cells every three to six weeks. As we age, this process slows down, and cells can start to accumulate on the surface of the skin, leading to rough patches. Levels of collagen start to decline, which reduces the skin’s natural support and elasticity. The result is a ‘sagging’ of the skin and the formation of fine lines and wrinkles.

In the face of this change, some people opt for cosmetic surgery. And yet, there are other non-invasive solutions: sun-damaged skin treatment can involve the use of microdermabrasion and laser therapy and can deliver impressive results. Photo-rejuvenation can reduce wrinkles, fine lines, thread veins, hyper-pigmentation and rosacea.