Early aging is a complex of skin changes including sunspots, wrinkles, sagging skin, dry or itchy skin, skin thinning, and hair loss.
WHAT CAUSES EARLY AGING?
As aging is not a homogenous process, there exists a multitude of factors contributing to early age changes. These include environmental exposures, socioeconomic stressors, lifestyle choices, and one’s own genetics. Those causes most commonly implicated in early aging of the skin include sun and UV light exposure, stress, drug use (particularly methamphetamine abuse and tobacco smoking), and air pollution.
TREATING EARLY AGING
Good lifestyle habits, including managing stress and sleeping regularly, weighs heavily in prevention of early aging. Additionally, abstaining from drugs and alcohol, eating a well-balanced diet with healthy fats and reduced simple carbohydrates and sugars, and drinking enough water is essential. This will fuel your body with the necessary components to build and maintain healthy skin as your cell activity slows down in this phase of life. Supplements, such as iron and vitamin D, can aid in this endeavor.
UV-protective strategies, including photoprotective clothing and mineral-based sunscreens (zinc, titanium dioxide) with SPF ≥ 30 and avoiding tanning beds is critical.
There are numerous medical treatments for early aging, depending upon the main cause. Topical medications, including retinoic acid derivatives, azelaic acid, and niacinamide, are treatment mainstays in reversing aging signs, such as fine lines and dark spots. Chemical peels and laser treatments, as well as various injectables (fillers and neurotoxins) also have a marked impact on improving overall appearance of aged skin.
