We hear the term “anti-aging” all the time. It’s used on skin care products, services, and treatments to imply there is some kind of magical age preventative effect that will occur. Not to mention that the word “anti-aging” is also used to increase the price of whatever product, service or treatment it placed on. So, is there any truth to the term or is it just a marketing gimmick?
There is only one way to find out if a product(s) is really “anti-aging.” You will need to use the “anti-aging” products on just one side of the face and neck for the next 10 years and then make a conclusion if there is a difference between the “anti-aging” side verses the side that received no care or very little care. God help you if there is a difference. Can you imagine actually having one side of your face that looks 10 year younger and the other side looking 10 years older?
But, the term does have some true implications to it with a condition. The condition is that the person using the products needs to actually use them in a specific program on a regular daily schedule. Studies show that when people are instructed to use products in a prescribed program that they only follow through the prescription maybe by 50%. That means that at least half of the benefit is never gained. Just imagine what a difference it would make if the prescription would be followed to the letter.
The way anti-aging products work is primarily in two phases. The first phase is to exfoliate away all the skin cells that are dead. With exfoliation skin cell energy is increased, which gradually drops during the course of aging, and uneven skin tone (hyperpigmentation) is brought to the surface to also be exfoliated away. So there is continual exfoliating that is performed either on a daily basis or every other day. The second phase of anti-aging is to keep the new skin cells performing at high levels for maximum performance. Keeping free-radicals neutralized as much as possible and preventing damage caused by UV rays. Introducing high levels of super anti-oxidants that are absorbed by the newly exposed skin cells after exfoliation. But, with all aging there comes a wall that anti-aging products just can’t jump over. That’s where the fancy laser resurfacing, injectables, and surgery take over. With more advanced medical treatments there is still the maintenance that has to occur and you guest it, the maintenance program is “anti-aging.”
Will anti-aging products prevent our skin from aging, probably not if the person is smoking, sun bathing, consuming excess alcohol, eating junk food, and experiencing high levels of stress. The honest answer is that the product will have a positive effect but it’s a lot to ask of a topical product to reverse everything else that’s not healthy. On the other hand anti-aging products will perform at their potential when the person is taking care of himself/herself and being good to their body.
To really define anti-aging it comes down to life style. A life style of eating healthy, exercising regularly, keeping stress levels from extreme highs, and absolutely taking care of our largest organ, the skin. The skin is the only organ that we can see. It tells a lot about a person and when taken care of, the story can be beautiful.
