You recently may have noticed a few more fine lines and wrinkles that weren't there when you blew out the candles on last year's birthday cake. Wrinkles, crow's feet, and smile lines all tend to develop as we get older, but there are other changes that can occur below the skin's surface as well due to hormone levels that change with each passing decade. Other factors such as sun exposure and daily lifestyle choices can all play a role in further diminishing skin's tautness and glow. Read on to learn more about of the changes that can occur to your skin as you age and some tips for diminishing signs of age, and protecting and supporting youthful looking skin.

In Your 20s

Lucky for you, your skin is supported by strong levels of collagen thanks to the peak amount of estrogen available in women in their 20s which results in firm, glowing skin. But during this time your skin can also take an unexpected turn, especially if you thought you were through with acne for good. For many women, hormonal changes bring about adult acne, which is commonly seen as blackheads, clogged pores, and sometimes deep, cystic acne on the lower half of the face along the jawline. Want to learn more about adult acne and how to prevent it? Read our article here.

Later in your 20s, you may begin to notice that the wrinkles or lines that appeared when you smiled or frowned are visible even when you're not being expressive. Forehead wrinkles, frown lines, eye wrinkles, laugh lines and marionette lines (the vertical lines that appear on the chin) are all common facial wrinkles that may begin to become more permanent.

Tips for managing adult acne and supporting healthy skin in your 20s:

• Try avoiding refined carbohydrates and dairy which can increase inflammation and stimulate oil-production which can lead to acne.
• Try a topical anti-aging, wrinkle-smoothing product. A dermatologist will be able to recommend a prescription-strength product that will smooth signs of age.
• Remember to wear sunscreen all year round! Protect against skin damage now so you don't experience as many signs of sun damage in your 30s and 40s.

 

In Your 30s

This is the age where your estrogen levels begin to take a dip, which also means that collagen and hyaluronic acid take a dive as well. Collagen is responsible for taut skin while hyaluronic acid creates youthful bounce and plumpness. The cell turnover of your skin also begins to slow at this age, which means you may have a harder time calming inflammation. On top of all these changes, dryness may begin to occur, even if your skin type was completely different before, and can make the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines more apparent.

Age spots, or liver spots, commonly begin to appear as well. These are small, dark spots on your skin that vary in size. These spots are caused by overactive pigment cells which can be triggered on areas of the body that have had years of frequent sun exposure.

Tips for managing signs of wrinkles and age spots:

• Step-up your nighttime skincare routine by adding an anti-aging product that increases collagen production to fight volume loss. Schedule an appointment with a dermatologist today to find the products that will work best for your skin and age!
• To prevent age spots, make sure you're wearing a daily moisturizer that contains SPF to protect against damaging UV rays.

 

In Your 40s

Fighting signs of age in your 40s can seem tougher, since estrogen levels continue to decrease during this premenopausal period. This is commonly the decade where age-related dryness really begins to take hold and wrinkles become even more noticeable. Your skin in your 40s can also go through a dramatic change through loss of firmness and elasticity. The loss of estrogen and fat may even impact your facial structure as skin begins to slack and skin may appear droopy around the eyes and jawline.

During this age, you may also experience broken blood vessels (or spider veins) that are visible under the skin.

Tips for managing signs of wrinkles and age spots:

• Make sure to keep up with a skincare routine that includes a nourishing serum and moisturizer to replenish hydration and fight dryness.
• A prescription strength retinol product will spur skin to thicken and strengthen blood vessels, all while minimizing wrinkles and controlling acne. Consult a dermatologist to learn more about retinol.

 

In Your 50s

During this age, your skin experiences menopause and post-menopausal effects. The good news is that blemishes are much less common and your days of adult acne are most likely over. But this is due to your skin getting drier, which can bring on other problems such as additional fine lines. Wrinkles commonly turn into folds, and the loss of facial muscle, fat, and even bone through the dive in collagen and elastin levels are significant as well. This results in crepey-looking skin. This change is also noticeable in the neck area where skin begins to sag.

Other signs of age like skin tags are also quite common. Skin tags are small growths that appear as short, narrow stalks that stick out of the skin. While benign, skin tags are often removed by a dermatologist for cosmetic reasons.

Tips for managing post-menopausal skin:

• Keep up the advanced moisturizing products and look into skincare products with ingredients such as glycolic acid, which increase collagen production.
• At this age, topical products may not be as impactful. Visit a dermatologist to discuss options for tightening sagging skin and stimulating collagen production. A dermatologist will also be able to safely remove skin tags with minimal scarring.

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Age happens to all of us. But for some of us struggling with burgeoning signs of age or for those trying to actively turn back the clock on specific skin issues, aging skin can feel overwhelming. With the help of a dermatologist, the changes that occur for your skin don't have to be as dramatic. Contact Dr. Robert Miller of Long Beach, CA to discuss prescription-strength skincare products that will prevent fine lines and wrinkles, promote skin cell turnover, and in-office cosmetic procedures that diminish common facial wrinkles so you can restore your youthful, radiant glow. Dr. Robert M. Miller has been recognized as a Top Doctor by FindaTopDoc.com and has been awarded the Patient's Choice Award. He is also featured as one of the top Long Beach Dermatology Practices by OpenCare.com. Schedule an appointment today by clicking here.