Every woman strives to always remain attractive. The main guarantee of this is proper facial skin care, which is quite possible at home. We are talking about anti-aging and facial skin tightening procedures that can be done at home.
Causes of skin aging.
The causes of aging have not yet been completely clarified by science. But its manifestations are well studied. The main thing is a violation of the resistance of tissues to the metabolic processes occurring in them. In simple terms, the body's cells cannot restore their chemical balance after the reactions that have taken place in them, so they lose their functionality and cannot perform their tasks with the same efficiency. If we talk about the skin, that is why it loses its tone, becomes too dry and acquires wrinkles. There are additional factors that lead to more intense or premature aging of the epidermis:
- lack of skin care;
- poor nutrition;
- frequent stress on the skin (for example, being in the cold).
Although skin aging is inevitable in any case, its manifestations can be stopped or reduced with the help of care and preventive measures.
Tips for skin care
Home facial skin care to prevent the aging of epidermal tissue includes a wide set of measures. Let's talk about the main ones that every woman should take.
Make-up removal
Although modern cosmetics contain only components that are safe for the human body, they create a certain load on the facial skin. For example, foundation blocks your pores and doesn't allow you to breathe. Therefore, you should always remove your makeup when you return home. To eliminate it, it is advisable to use the most neutral products or running water (if possible).
Facial Cleansing
The epidermal tissue is renewed periodically. The frequency of this process depends on the characteristics of the body and for different people it averages 20 to 40 days. Dead skin cells are exfoliated, but often do not fall off on their own and remain on the face. This causes two adverse consequences. First, dead tissue blocks the pores and prevents the skin from breathing. Secondly, it can contribute to the development of pathogenic microflora. Therefore, it is necessary to clean your face regularly. The most effective and safest way to do this is to use special scrubs or pads. They exfoliate dead skin particles well without causing any damage.
Facial skin toning
As mentioned above, with age, epidermal cells find it increasingly difficult to restore the chemical balance disturbed during metabolic processes. Because of this, the skin loses its tone, which is due to a change in its composition. This problem is solved by further toning the skin with the help of special cosmetics. They are called tonics or tonics.
The selection of a toner should be made taking into account the characteristics of your skin. For example, mattifying toners cannot be used if it is too dry; this can only cause harm.
Facial skin hydration
As they age, many women face the problem of dry skin caused by an imbalance in the chemical balance of the epidermis. This affects the appearance of the skin and can also have adverse health consequences, for example the appearance of microcracks.
Dry skin is combated with the help of specialized cosmetics. Today there are many serums on the market that saturate the epidermal tissue with moisture.
There are also home remedies for hydration, which involve the use of medicinal plants. For example, you can apply gauze soaked in chamomile decoction to your face or make a mask from crushed aloe leaves. This also helps eliminate dryness.
Use sunscreen
Under the influence of ultraviolet radiation contained in the sun's rays, the upper layer of the epidermis dies. This causes dryness and peeling of the skin. Unfavorable processes also occur in the deeper layers of the epidermal tissue: the hormone melanin is produced in the body with the sun's rays. Its excess can cause metabolic disorders in the skin and, as a consequence, deterioration of its appearance.
For this reason, when going out in the sun, you should cover your face and other parts of your body with sunscreen. Not only will it prevent the adverse effects of excessive tanning, but it will also hydrate your skin, which is also very important in the summer heat. It is also recommended to wear a hat with a visor, which will prevent the sun's rays from reaching your face.
Regular facial massage
The skin itself does not produce essential nutrients, but rather receives them through the blood. However, with age, the blood supply to the epidermis deteriorates, and at the same time the condition of the skin and its appearance worsen.
The situation can be corrected by improving blood flow in the facial area. At home, the easiest way to do this is with a massage.
No complex massage techniques required. You can simply move your palms over your face for 2-3 minutes, starting from the forehead area above the bridge of your nose.
This alone will cause a noticeable flow of blood to the epidermis and increase the amount of nutrients in the massaged area, which will cause tightening of the skin on the face.
It is recommended to perform this massage at least once a day. It is best to do it at the end of the day, between 1, 5 and 2 hours before bedtime.
Proper nutrition and drinking water.
To maintain the chemical balance of the facial skin, it is necessary to eat well. You should exclude too fatty and high-calorie foods from your diet, do not eat a lot of salty and sweet foods, try to avoid fast food and processed foods.
It is also recommended to minimize the consumption of coffee and alcohol, since they affect capillary circulation, the first constricts the blood vessels, the second dilates. This has an adverse effect on the epidermal capillaries.
The following products are considered beneficial for facial skin:
- fruits, vegetables and herbs;
- dairy products;
- big;
- bran bread;
- Fish and shellfish;
- lean meat.
The food must be varied. For example, breakfast is porridge, lunch is lean meat with a side dish, and dinner is a small fruit snack. The menu for each following day must be different from the previous one (at least within a week). Between the main meals it is necessary to have snacks, at the same time reducing the portions of lunch, breakfast and dinner. In total, there should be 4 to 6 meals a day.
The drinking regimen is also important for skin health. You should drink 1-2 liters of water a day. This will help maintain the required level of moisture in the epidermis. Water should not be replaced by carbonated drinks, juices or compotes. Here we are talking exclusively about drinking water. The only alternative that can be used is mineral water, preferably still or lightly carbonated.
It is advisable to drink from the moment we wake up and throughout the day in small portions as thirst arises. But after 19: 00 it is better to refrain from drinking water. The fact is that at night, when the body is preparing to sleep, metabolic processes slow down and the consumption of moisture can lead to microedema, which in the future can damage the condition and appearance of the skin on the face.
Facial skin rejuvenation techniques.
The most common facial skin rejuvenation techniques are:
- face lift;
- peeling;
- microcurrents, darsonvalization and phototherapy;
- masks, patches and serums;
- ultrasonic cleaning, vacuum cleaning.
Let's look at each one in more detail.
face lift
The term comes from the English lift - to raise. The name reflects its essence well: during the procedure, the skin tone increases and appears to lift.
Today there are several types of lifting, but only two can be done at home.
radiofrequency lifting
This technique consists of influencing the epidermis using radio waves, which trigger natural regenerative processes in the skin.
Ultrasonic
In this case, the skin is exposed to ultrasound. It is done at home using a special manual device.
Microcurrents, darsonvalization and phototherapy.
Today, facial physiotherapy is available at home to improve skin conditions:
- Microcurrents.It involves the effect of low current and voltage on the epidermis. Improves skin tone.
- Darsonvalization.The procedure is similar to the previous one, but involves changing the frequency of the current and affecting a smaller area of skin. It also improves skin tone.
- Phototherapy.Provides moderate exposure of the skin to ultraviolet and infrared light through a special mask. Normalizes the metabolic processes of the epidermis.
All three procedures are carried out using special devices. Microcurrents will also require a special conductive gel that is applied to the face.
Masks, patches and serums
Masks consist of placing a nutritional composition on the face in order to supply the epidermal cells with the substances necessary for their normal functioning. You can prepare them yourself. The compositions depend on the objectives of the procedure. So, a moisturizing mask will be different from a nourishing one. The universal composition must include proteins, fats, vitamins and amino acids, which is why one of the most common recipes includes:
- 2 teaspoons of cottage cheese;
- 1 medium cucumber without peel;
- 1 teaspoon olive oil.
Keep the mask on your face for about an hour. If you want, you can alternate different compositions for different tasks.
Ready-made masks can be purchased in the store. You can simply apply them on your face (sometimes you need to dilute them with water).
Patches are pieces of canvas soaked in nutrients. They work like masks, but are more comfortable to wear.
The serum is essentially a mask concentrate. It is applied to the face for a short time (5-15 minutes) and in a very small amount (depending on the specific product, usually 2-3 drops).
Ultrasonic cleaning, vacuum cleaning.
These procedures are used to unclog pores clogged with oily secretions. As the name implies, ultrasonic cleaning involves the use of ultrasound, while vacuum cleaning involves the use of negative pressure. Both versions of the procedure are carried out using special devices.
Peeling
Facial peeling is a procedure to remove flakes of dead skin from the facial area. The following types are available at home:
- Chemical.A special composition is applied to the face that breaks down dead epidermal tissue. Then it is cleaned.
- Mechanic.In this case, the cosmetologist performs peeling manually using special brushes and graters.
- Ultrasonic.Pulses of ultrasound are sent to the skin, which exfoliate dead skin.
Ultrasonic peeling is preferable: it is safe and effective.
Massage for facial skin rejuvenation.
Facial self-massage is an effective procedure that can be done at home. She helps:
- improve blood flow in the epidermal tissue;
- normalize metabolic processes in the skin;
- improve facial skin tone.
The simplest option for facial self-massage is simple caresses, which should start from the forehead, above the bridge of the nose. But this is not enough to get a really good effect. In order for massage procedures to be as effective as possible, it is necessary to use several techniques and alternate them correctly.
Popular products and ingredients for facial skin rejuvenation.
The following substances and plants are most often used for facial care and skin rejuvenation;
- Aloe vera;
- retinol;
- vitamin C;
- hyaluronic acid;
- collagen;
- Omega-3 fatty acids.
Let's talk about how useful they are.
aloe vera
Aloe vera (and other types of plants) are mainly used to hydrate the skin, since they contain a lot of water and substances that help preserve it. In addition, they perfectly nourish the epidermis with amino acids, vitamins and tannins (aloin, resins), which increase skin tone. Another property of the plant is the ability to kill pathogens. Aloe vera is often used in masks instead of cucumber or together with it.
Retinol
Retinol, or true vitamin A, plays an important role in redox processes and in the regulation of protein synthesis in the body. In fact, without it, the restoration of many tissues, including epidermal tissue, is impossible. And that means renewal of facial skin. Retinol is used in creams and masks, and is also taken orally in a course, separately or as part of multivitamin complexes.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is responsible for healing and restoring the skin's protective functions, as well as its ability to resist the effects of adverse microflora. Regular intake of the substance makes the epidermis more elastic, helps it better resist the adverse effects of the sun and retain moisture. Used in masks, creams or internally.
Hyaluronic acid
Hyaluronic acid is one of the elements that make up skin cells. It participates in the metabolic processes of the epidermis and ensures the normal functioning of subcutaneous nerves and capillaries. With age, less and less is produced, so the epidermis receives the substance from the outside, with the help of creams, patches and masks.
collagen
Collagen is a protein that forms the base of the dermis, the lower part of the skin beneath the epidermis. With its deficiency, the structure of the dermis changes. This causes sagging, decreased skin tone and the appearance of wrinkles. The lack of collagen is compensated for with the help of special cosmetics containing it. Since protein promotes the absorption of other nutrients by the cells of the human body and their preservation, cosmetics that contain it give good results.
Omega-3 fatty acids
Omega-3 fatty acids are substances that are involved in protein synthesis, but that the human body is not able to synthesize on its own. Without them, complete regeneration of the epidermis is impossible. To obtain a normal dose of omega-3 acids, it is necessary to eat a balanced diet that includes fish. Or take them separately, orally, or as part of skin-nourishing facial care products.
Recommendations and precautions
The wrong approach to skin care, rejuvenation and anti-aging can be harmful. Below are some important rules and recommendations that, if followed, will help avoid adverse consequences and harm to health.
How to avoid damage to your facial skin while taking care of it
You cannot do massages and physiotherapeutic skin care procedures if you have:
- dermatological diseases;
- injuries (bruises, abrasions, cuts);
- neurological pathologies of the face;
- oncological diseases.
If discomfort occurs during the procedure, the session should be suspended immediately. If the discomfort continues, medical help should be sought.
Do not use excessive force during procedures, such as massage or mechanical peeling. This can cause skin lesions.
How to choose skin care products
Ideally, skin care products should be prescribed by a cosmetologist. If you cannot visit it, it is better to follow the recommendations of the cosmetics manufacturer. As a rule, indicate on your product its purpose, the type of skin for which it is intended, as well as contraindications. Special attention should be paid to the latter; This will help avoid problems in the future.
As for brands, it is advisable to focus on the more or less proven and popular ones. If you buy "no-name" cosmetics, you may run into problems. At a minimum, this will be the absence of the desired result from its use. Well, in the worst case, various adverse consequences, for example, irritation.
If redness, rash or swelling appears after using the skin care product, you should stop using it immediately. If these symptoms do not go away on their own after a while, medical help should be sought.
When to turn to professionals
Seeking professional cosmetology help will never be a bad idea. A qualified cosmetologist will perform any procedure better than a person who does not have special knowledge and skills in the relevant field of medicine. Therefore, it is advisable to contact professionals whenever possible. Even if you do not have serious problems with your skin condition, a cosmetologist will select the most effective skin care products and recommend suitable home measures that will help keep your facial skin young longer and slow down their aging.
Conclusion
With age, the condition of the facial skin worsens. You can improve it at home. This will help preventive measures (proper nutrition, cleansing, timely makeup removal), the use of cosmetics and care products (masks, patches, serums), physiotherapy techniques (microcurrents) and massages. None of the above can be considered absolutely effective. All these measures give better results only in combination (for example, prevention + regular masks + massage).
With regular skin care and correct and careful selection of procedures, your condition will begin to improve in 3 to 4 weeks. It will become less dry, more elastic and attractive. At the same time, the general condition of the body will improve; After all, rejuvenation of the epidermis is associated with proper nutrition, drinking water and taking vitamins and microelements. Your peace of mind will improve, especially because you will be satisfied with your appearance.