A Dermatologist’s Top 5 Anti-Aging Secrets
A Dermatologist’s Top 5 Anti-Aging Secrets
The old saying that beauty comes from within is certainly true when it comes to holding back the effects of the hands of time. Since the skin is the body’s largest organ, it’s no wonder that visible signs of aging typically display themselves on our faces first–the part of our skin that is the most exposed to the environment on a daily basis.
We asked Red Bamboo Medi-Spa’s very own Dr. Francis E. Toscano, M.D., FACEP to share his thoughts on what he recommends our clients do to reduce the visible signs of aging. Here are his top five recommendations for sustainable youthfulness.
- Follow a good skincare routine.
A gentle touch and a gentle cleansing formula are the best way to start any skincare regimen. Skin tends to get less oily and more sensitive as we age, so it’s important to be light with your touch when cleansing your face. It’s also a good idea to upgrade your moisturizer to one that contains anti-aging peptides, which are the short-chain amino acid proteins that feed the skin nutrition in order to add more collagen formation. Bakuchiol is a powerful plant extract that acts just like retinol without the drying and flaky side effects of a retinoid for skin rejuvenation. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that lightens, brightens, and tightens the skin and prevents cellular damage to the skin from the environment. Be sure to exfoliate your skin once a week to keep it firm and healthy.
- Always use sunscreen.
Sun damage is one of the most common skin conditions we see at Red Bamboo, and it’s very preventable if you incorporate the use of sunscreen into your daily routine. Regular use of sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher is preferable and can help prevent age spots and discoloration. Choose sunscreens that have a moisturizing component, rather than those with sprays and gels that contain alcohol and can dry out your skin. Many moisturizing sunscreens also contain antioxidants to protect the collagen in your skin.
- Get balanced nutrition and proper hydration every day.
What happens on the outside of your body has much to do with what you put into it. Choose foods that contain nutrients, proteins and enzymes that nourish the skin, such as colorful berries like blueberries, strawberries, and blackberries for antioxidants and yellow and orange root vegetables that have a high level of beta-carotene. Salmon is high in omega-3s, which have a whole host of benefits to youthful-looking skin. It’s also important to stay hydrated by drinking six to eight glasses of water each day. Decaffeinated beverages count, too, but limit the amount of caffeinated ones which can dehydrate you.
- Exercise daily.
Even moderate exercise every day can improve circulation and boost the immune system. This, in turn, gives your skin a more youthful appearance. The added benefit if that you’ll also have more energy and more incentive to keep up the good work when you see the fruits of your labor in the mirror.
- Clinical treatments to consider.
Every day, we help men and women turn back the clock five, ten or even 15 years through proven therapies. Botox is one of those and works to reduce wrinkles and fine lines by relaxing the muscles that cause them in the first place. Treatments take only a few minutes and can last for months. Dr. Toscano was recently recognized by Allergan, makers of Botox Cosmetic, as a Master Injector, so you know you’re in good hands. Xeomin Cosmetic is another neuro-modulator option, but with a slightly different make-up than Botox. Xeomin lacks a protein coat, so it’s faster acting than Botox.
Facial fillers, like our newest Resilient Hyaluronic Acid (RHA) from Geneva, Switzerland, Juvéderm, and Restylane are ideal for plumping the lips. Boletero can reduce fine lines and etchings in the skin. Radiesse can lift the cheek, minimize lines around the mouth and nose, fill in hollows under the eyes, and rejuvenate the skin on your hands. In fact, Dr. Toscano was the first physician in Pinellas County certified to inject filler into hands.
The newest “wrinkle” in wrinkle-reduction is Platelet Rich Plasma, or PRP. PRP uses your own blood’s plasma, platelets, stem cells, and growth factors, which are then reapplied to your skin to reduce wrinkles, fine lines, large pores, acne, other scars, and even stretch marks.
Learn more by visiting our website www.redbamboomedispa.com, then book your appointment today. A healthier, more youthful-looking you is your hands, with a little help from our expert staff at Red Bamboo.