Prejuvination
Prejuvination - preventing early signs of ageing
Prejuvenation is a term that has suddenly thrust itself upon the aesthetic world. But what is prejuvenation? And why is it important?
“There are two types of aging: Intrinsic, which is inevitable thanks to our DNA, and extrinsic which is brought on by exposure to environmental factors.”
Prejuvenation is addressing signs of aging BEFORE they become a problem. The goal of an aesthetician is to prevent signs of ageing before they occur rather than correcting them once they appear.
Dr. Lani Doser, DNP tells us, “There are two types of aging: Intrinsic, which is inevitable thanks to our DNA, and extrinsic which is brought on by exposure to environmental factors.” Extrinsic factors, which are typically avoidable, include sun/UV damage, smoking, poor diet, lack of sleep, etc.
Preventative steps - “Your body is a temple. Treat it as such.”
The first step in prejuvination is prevention - Avoiding the extrinsic factors that can cause aging.
Avoid the sun
The most effective action one can take is to wear sunscreen daily and apply it frequently throughout the day. Wearing a hat and sunglasses and avoiding direct sunlight will reduce the amount of UV damage to the skin.
News flash: Smoking is bad, mkay?
We are well beyond having to inform people that smoking causes premature aging and will very likely kill you. You already know it. So let’s not beat that horse anymore. However, many people are under the impression that vaping is a good alternative. It isn’t. As with cigarettes, nicotine dries the skin causing premature wrinkles as well as retarding the body’s ability to heal itself.
Maintain a low-fat diet high in antioxidants
Antioxidants inhibit oxidation which causes damage to skin cells. A diet high in nuts, beans and fresh fruits and vegetables (especially those high in vitamin C) helps prevent oxidation, thus keeping your skin cells healthier. Further, switch from foods high in saturated fat to foods with plant-based healthy fats (avocados, coconut oil, nuts, flax). Foods high in saturated fat are common contributors to acne and the subsequent scarring.
Get adequate sleep
During sleep the body puts its energy into healing itself. Lack of adequate sleep or disruptive sleep prevents the body from entering this healing stage and cell damage accumulates.
“Bone remodeling is the process of bone and fat deteriorating in one area and reaccumulating in another, ultimately changing the structure of the face.”
Step two is treatment.
The signs of ageing are no secret to medical professionals. Bone remodeling and UV damage are two of the biggest culprits. As we age bone slowly moves from places we are used to seeing and some is redeposited in new places. Our muscles are no longer able to rely on the support from this bone causing sagging and wrinkles. Injectable fillers are simple and effective way to add volume to these areas of the face. Regular toxin injections such as Botox, Jeuveau, and Dysport can help delay the deep glabellar lines (the 11s between the eyes) and crows feet from forming. In addition, there are many procedures such as microneedling, HiFU and laser therapies that will help encourage new collagen growth creating volume and filling out fine lines and wrinkles.
Thanks to new technologies, UV damage can now be seen before it is visible to the naked eye. IPL, LaseMD and ErbYAG can all be effective treatments to address UV damage before it becomes a problem as well as improving the tone and texture of your skin.
The bottom line on prejuvination is that signs of ageing become far more difficult to address as time passes. Begin a skincare routine and address aging early with preventative steps and treatment for best results!
