Every woman strives to always be attractive. The main guarantee for this is proper facial skin care, which is completely possible at home. We are talking about anti-aging and skin tightening procedures that can be done at home.
Causes of skin aging
The causes of aging are still not fully understood by science. But its manifestations are well studied. The main thing is a violation of the resistance of the tissues to the metabolic processes taking place in them. Simply put, the body's cells cannot restore their chemical balance after the reactions that have taken place in them, so they lose their functionality and cannot perform their tasks with the same efficiency. If we talk about the skin, then because of this it loses its tone, becomes too dry and gets wrinkles. There are additional factors that lead to more intense or premature aging of the epidermis:
- lack of skin care;
- poor nutrition;
- frequent stress on the skin (for example, in the cold).
Although skin aging is inevitable in all cases, it can be slowed down or its manifestations reduced with the help of care and preventive measures.
Skin care tips
Home care for the skin of the face to prevent the aging of the epidermal tissue includes an extensive set of measures. Let's talk about the basics that every woman should take.
Makeup removal
Although modern cosmetics contain only components that are safe for the human body, they create a certain load on the skin of the face. For example, the foundation blocks the pores and does not allow it to breathe. Therefore, make-up should always be removed when you return home. To remove it, you should use the most neutral products or plain water (if possible).
Cleansing the face
Epidermal tissue is regularly renewed. The frequency of this process depends on the characteristics of the body and for different people it is an average of 20 to 40 days. Dead skin cells are exfoliated, but often do not fall off on their own and remain on the face. This leads to two adverse consequences. First, dead tissue blocks the pores and prevents the skin from breathing. Secondly, it can contribute to the development of pathogenic microflora. Therefore, your face should be cleaned regularly. The most effective and safe way to do this is to use special scrubs or tampons. They exfoliate the dead skin particles well without causing any harm.
Facial skin toning
As mentioned above, with age, epidermal cells become increasingly difficult to restore the chemical balance disturbed during metabolic processes. Due to this, the skin loses its tone, which is due to a change in its composition. This problem is solved by additionally toning the skin with the help of special cosmetics. They are called tonics or tonics.
The choice of tonic should be made taking into account the characteristics of your skin. For example, matting tonics cannot be used if they are too dry - this can only harm.
Moisturizing the skin of the face
As they age, many women face the problem of 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 adverse health consequences - for example, the appearance of microcracks.
Dry skin is combated with the help of specialized cosmetics. There are many serums on the market today that saturate the epidermal tissue with moisture.
There are also folk remedies for moisturizing, which include the use of medicinal plants. For example, you can apply gauze soaked in chamomile decoction to your face, or make a mask of crushed aloe leaves. This also helps in removing dryness.
Using 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 - under the action of the sun's rays, the hormone melanin is produced in the body. Its excess can cause metabolic disorders in the skin and, as a result, deterioration of its appearance.
Therefore, when going out in the sun, the face and other parts of the body should be covered with sunscreen products. It will not only prevent the adverse effects of excessive tanning, but also moisturize the skin, which is also very important in the summer heat. It is also recommended to wear a hat with a visor, which will prevent the sun's rays from reaching your face.
Regular facial massage
The skin itself does not produce essential nutrients, but receives them through the blood. However, with age, the blood supply to the epidermis deteriorates, and at the same time, the condition of the skin and its appearance deteriorate.
The situation can be corrected by improving blood flow to the facial area. At home, the easiest way to do this is massage.
No complicated massage techniques are needed. You can simply move your palms over your face for 2-3 minutes, starting from the forehead area above the bridge of the nose.
This alone will cause a noticeable blood flow to the epidermis and increase the amount of nutrients in the massaged area, resulting in tightening of the facial skin.
This massage is recommended to be performed at least once a day. It is best to do it at the end of the day, 1. 5-2 hours before going to bed.
Proper nutrition and drinking water
To maintain the chemical balance of the skin on your face, you need to eat right. You should exclude too fatty and high-calorie foods from your diet, do not eat too much salty and sweet foods, try to avoid fast food and processed foods.
It is also recommended to minimize the consumption of coffee and alcohol, as they affect capillary circulation, the first constricts blood vessels, the second expands. This has an adverse 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;
- pure meat.
Food should be varied. For example, breakfast is porridge, lunch is lean meat with a side dish, and dinner is a small fruit snack. The menu of each subsequent day must differ from the previous one (at least within a week). Between the main meals, you should make snacks, while reducing the portions of lunch, breakfast and dinner. In total, there should be 4-6 meals per day.
Drinking regimen is also important for skin health. You should drink 1-2 liters of water a day. This will help maintain the necessary level of moisture in the epidermis. You should not replace water with carbonated drinks, juice or compote. Here we are talking exclusively about clean drinking water. The only thing that can be used as an alternative is mineral water, preferably still or slightly carbonated.
It is recommended to drink from the moment you wake up and throughout the day in small portions when thirsty. But after 19: 00 it is better to refrain from drinking water. The fact is that in the evening, when the body prepares for sleep, metabolic processes slow down and the consumption of moisture can cause microedema, which in the future can harm the condition and appearance of the skin of the face.
Facial skin rejuvenation techniques
The most common facial skin rejuvenation techniques are:
- face lifting;
- peeling;
- microcurrents, darsonvalization and phototherapy;
- masks, patches and serums;
- ultrasonic cleaning, vacuum cleaner.
Let's look at each in more detail.
Facelift
The term comes from the English lift - I raise. The name well reflects its essence - during the procedure, the tone of the skin increases and it seems to lift.
Today there are several types of lifting, but only two can be done at home.
RF lifting
This technique involves impacting the epidermis using radio waves that trigger natural regenerative processes in the skin.
Ultrasonic
In this case, the skin is exposed to ultrasound. It is performed at home using a special handheld device.
Microcurrents, darsonvalization and phototherapy
Today, facial physiotherapy is available at home to improve the condition of the skin:
- Microcurrents.This includes the effect of weak current and voltage on the epidermis. Improves skin tone.
- Darsonvalization.The procedure is similar to the previous one, but involves changing the frequency of the current and affecting a smaller area of the skin. It also improves skin tone.
- Phototherapy.Provides moderate irradiation of the skin with ultraviolet and infrared light through a special mask. Normalizes metabolic processes in the epidermis.
All three procedures are performed with special devices. Microcurrents will also require a special conductive gel that is applied to the face.
Masks, patches and serums
Masks involve placing a nutritional composition on the face to supply the cells of the epidermis with substances necessary for normal functioning. You can prepare them yourself. Compositions depend on the objectives of the procedure. So the moisturizing mask will be different from the nourishing mask. 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 skin;
- 1 tsp olive oil.
Keep the mask on your face for about an hour. If you wish, you can alternate between different compositions for different tasks.
Ready-made masks can be purchased in the store. You can simply apply them on your face (sometimes you need to dilute them with water).
Patches are pieces of cloth soaked in nutrients. They act like masks, but are more convenient to use.
The serum is basically a mask concentrate. It is applied to the face for a short time (5-15 minutes) and in a very small amount (depending on the specific product, usually 2-3 drops).
Ultrasonic cleaning, vacuum cleaner
These procedures are used to unclog pores clogged with oily secretions. As the name suggests, ultrasonic cleaning involves the use of ultrasound, while vacuum cleaning involves the use of negative pressure. Both variants of the procedure are performed using special devices.
Peeling
Facial peeling is a procedure to remove flakes of dead skin from the facial area. The following types are available at home:
- chemically.A special composition is applied to the face that breaks down the dead epidermal tissue. Then it is cleaned.
- Mechanical.In this case, the cosmetologist performs the peeling manually using special brushes and a grater.
- Ultrasonic.Ultrasound pulses are sent to the skin to exfoliate the dead skin.
Ultrasonic peeling is preferable - it is safe and effective.
Facial skin rejuvenation massage
Facial self-massage is an effective procedure that can be done at home. It helps:
- improvement of blood flow in the epidermal tissue;
- normalization of metabolic processes in the skin;
- improving facial skin tone.
The simplest option for self-massage of the face is a simple stroking, which should start from the forehead above the bridge of the nose. But this is 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 they are useful.
Aloe vera
Aloe vera (and other types of plants) are primarily used to moisturize the skin, as they contain a lot of water and substances that help preserve it. In addition, they perfectly nourish the epidermis with amino acids, vitamins and tannins (aloin, resins), which increase skin tone. Another property of the plant is the ability to kill pathogens. Aloe vera is often used in masks instead of or along with cucumber.
retinol
Retinol, or true vitamin A, plays an important role in redox processes and the regulation of protein synthesis in the body. In fact, without it, the restoration of many tissues, including epidermal tissue, is impossible. And this means renewing the skin of the face. Retinol is used in creams and masks, and is also taken orally in a course - separately 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 unfavorable microflora. Regular intake of the substance makes the epidermis more elastic, helps it better resist the adverse effects of the sun and retain moisture. It is used in masks, creams or internally.
Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is one of the elements that make up skin cells. It participates in the metabolic processes of the epidermis and ensures the normal functioning of subcutaneous nerves and capillaries. With age, it is produced less and less, so the epidermis is supplied with the substance from the outside - with the help of creams, patches and masks.
Collagen
Collagen is a protein that forms the base of the dermis, the lower part of the skin that lies beneath the epidermis. With its deficiency, the structure of the dermis changes. This leads to laxity, reduced skin tone and the appearance of wrinkles. The lack of collagen is compensated with the help of special cosmetics that contain it. Since protein helps the absorption of other nutrients by the cells of the human body and their preservation, cosmetics with it give good results.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are substances that participate in the synthesis of proteins, but which the human body is unable to synthesize on its own. Without them, complete restoration of the epidermis is impossible. To get a normal dose of omega-3 acids, you should eat a balanced diet that includes fish. Or take them separately – orally or as part of skin-nourishing facial products.
Recommendations and warnings
The wrong approach to skin care, rejuvenation and anti-aging can be harmful. Here are some important rules and recommendations that, if followed, will help to avoid adverse consequences and harm to health.
How to avoid damaging your facial skin while taking care of it
Massage and physiotherapy skin care procedures cannot be done if you have:
- dermatological diseases;
- injuries (bruises, scrapes, cuts);
- neurological pathologies of the face;
- oncological diseases.
If discomfort occurs during the procedure, you should immediately stop the session. If the discomfort persists, you should seek medical attention.
Do not use excessive force during procedures such as massage or mechanical peeling. This may cause skin injuries.
How to choose skin care products
Ideally, skin care products should be prescribed by a cosmetologist. If you cannot visit it, it is better to follow the recommendations of the cosmetics manufacturer. As a rule, he indicates on his product its purpose, the type of skin for which it is intended, as well as contraindications. You should pay special attention to the latter - this will help to avoid trouble in the future.
As for brands, you should focus on more or less proven and popular ones. If you buy cosmetics without a name, you may run into problems. At a minimum, this will be the lack of the desired result from its use. Well, in the worst case, various adverse consequences - for example, irritation.
If redness, rash or swelling occurs after using the skin care product, you should stop using it immediately. If these symptoms do not disappear on their own after some time, you should seek medical help.
When to turn to professionals
Seeking professional cosmetology help is never a bad idea. A qualified cosmetologist will perform any procedure better than a person who does not have special knowledge and skills in the relevant field of medicine. Therefore, whenever possible, you should contact professionals. Even if you don't have serious problems with your skin condition, the cosmetologist will choose the skin care products as effectively as possible and recommend suitable home measures that will help you keep your facial skin young longer and slow down its aging.
Conclusion
With age, the condition of the skin on the face deteriorates. You can improve it at home. Preventive measures (proper nutrition, cleaning, timely removal of makeup), the use of cosmetics and care products (masks, patches, serums), physiotherapy techniques (microcurrents), massage will help with this. None of the above can be called absolutely effective. All these measures give the best results only in combination (eg prevention + regular masks + massage).
With regular skin care with a correct, thoughtful selection of procedures, its condition will begin to improve within 3-4 weeks. It will become less dry, more elastic and attractive. At the same time, the general condition of the body will improve - after all, the rejuvenation of the epidermis is related to proper nutrition, drinking water, taking vitamins and trace elements. Your peace of mind will improve, not least because you'll be happy with your appearance.