Beautiful Skin as Time Goes By

Time and again, women have clamored for the proverbially elusive “beauty secret” as well as the promise — or is it the premise — of the “fountain of youth.” Ladies have been enamored by the sheer radiance of beautiful, effervescent and luminous skin. Who wouldn’t? It is a sigh to behold and a sensation to uphold.

But the ravages of time and the unyielding elements of the wind, sun and more recently, pollution and toxic radicals have wrought havoc and taken its toll on the largest organ of the human body, the skin. It can only take so much.

Battling the inevitable aging and the invincible forces of nature may seem a daunting task but technology and ingenuity have turned the tides in favor of a younger, healthier skin despite the odds.

Now that we are being caught up in the frenzy of endless possibilities to look, feel and stay young, a picture perfect ‘you’ may just be in the offing. What one needs is quite a hefty sum of money and sheer guts and determination. Of course, nothing beats a good set of genes.

Tracing the evolution of the skin with regards to chronology of time may be a good start in understanding the intricacies of a daly regimen and the complexities it may bring.

It is a new burst of life waiting to happen for bloomers in their adolescent years. Unfortunately, this may mean a fresh eruption of acne every now and then on teenage skin. This can be attributed to heredity but more on that raging hormones stimulating the skin to produce more sebum. This oily substance may mix with dead skin to produce the dreaded pimple. One needs a good antibacterial soap, solution, and mild forms of vitamin A creams. Oral antibiotics, hormonal or vitamin treatment may come in handy on a case to case basis. For those with sensitive to normal skin, a mild bland cleanser and AHA creams may be beneficial. Understand that acne is not only within the realm of puberty but may persist through middle age and beyond. Moisturizers may be detrimental to oily skin as these may trigger more acne.

Raring to go are people in their 20′s,, what is with their jobs, outdoor activities, sporting habits nighttime happenings and fair doses of nicotine. Stress is beginning to mount in this age group and this is a formidable foe to tackle. Stress brings forth more acne as well as other stress-induced skin and hair dilemmas like dandruff, eczemas and hair loss. Notwithstanding, the anti-acne regiment is still applicable as well as good, clean living habits, sound diet, and ample exercise.

It is either a work in progress or a breeze through life for the 30′s. Most are with stable jobs and/or have settled with a family. Hormones may have tampered a bit but stress may still be rearing its ugly head. Telltale signs of aging may be creeping up starting on the corners of the eye, aptly called “crow’s feet.” Open pores and acne pits may be the battle scars of the chronic struggle against acne.

Repairing the skin entails nightly doses of vitamin A or AHA creams, chemical peels and microdermabrasion. A good physical and chemical blocker against harmful UVA and UVB rays with a minimum SPF 30 may offset blemishes, wrinkles and dry, lusterless skin.

The fabulous or the frivolous age of 40 may be marred by hormonal imbalances, dreadful signs of aging and the perennial battle against the bulge. Hormonal and anti-aging pills coupled by botox injections and non-surgical facelifts may be added to the previous regimen one has gotten accustomed to.

The gradual fading into the sunset for those in the twilight of their golden years for the 50′s to the 70′s may not be necessarily a total letdown but may prove to be a life-altering and self-fulfilling experiences. IT is the time to bow out gracefully for those who have earned their keep and who now rest on their laurels celebrating the good life. The skin may show proof of life’s travails and triumphs. Deepened furrows, marionette and dynamic lines, age spots, and lax, sagging skin have been the trademarks or trade-offs of a life well-spent in or out of the myriad of skin cells with their own intrinsic functions correlates to the aging process. It would be best to generously slather the skin with Vitamin A and AHA creams, lightening agents, sunscreens and moisturizes combined with microdermabrasion, nonsurgical facelift, botox, dermal fillers, laser resurfacing and radiofrequency which have been deemed as necessities in these trying times.

So what could be the real essence of a beautiful skin? Is it a fantasy? A reality? A feat? A phenomenon? Is it worth i?

It is a fantasy as people tend to be overwhelmed by the frivolity of it all. A reality as we come to know that beautiful skin transcends lineages and is largely predetermined by genetics. A feat because in these technology savvy and driven times, a seemingly ugly duckling can be transformed into a beautiful swan. A phenomenon because as with all transient things in this world, beauty is fleeting and does fade.

To dream of, to realize and to achieve beautiful skin is worth it. As beauty is nurtured from within, it is truly treasured on the outside.