There’s an old adage that says you should never ask a lady her age. It turns out, you don’t have to ask, it may be written all over her face…and neck…and hands…and décolletage. Now, researchers have created a predictive tool based on machine learning that can estimate your age to within 4 years based on the percentages of various skin microbes present.
4 Skin Problems that Add Years to Your Age
How your skin ages is due to factors as diverse as genetics, environment, and lifestyle. Beyond that, over time, there’s a natural (if unwelcome) breakdown of everybody’s internal processes, including reduced skin cell turnover and collagen production.
This leads to wrinkles, fine lines, and other visible signs of premature ageing including:
- Age spots – Age spots (also known as liver or sun spots) are flat areas of hyper-pigmentation, usually occurring on the face. “They also appear on the back of the hands and the forearms, parts of the body that people often overlook in skincare,” says Dr Austin. These ageing signs are most often the result of too much unprotected sun exposure. The effects of the sun can be mitigated by the use of products like Avene Day Protector Tinted Cream. It evens out skin tone, provides moisture, and offers SPF 30 sun protection, too.
- Sagging skin – Collagen is a body protein that keeps skin plump and firm. Around the time your body hits the 30-year mark, your skin may begin to deflate due to decreased collagen production, making you look older than you are. Soft tissue augmentation is a great way to fight back against this problem. “Collagen injections may help erase frown lines, crow’s feet, and nasolabial folds,” reports Dr Austin.
- Dry Skin – Youthful skin is radiant, in part, due to being well-moisturised. As we age and skin becomes thinner, it becomes more susceptible to dehydration. The result is skin that’s dull, itchy, and prone to flaking. “Aspect Dr’s Ultra Light Hydration is a moisturiser filled with skin-hydrating antioxidants,” notes Dr Austin. “It’s oil-free and excellent for skin that is blemish-prone.
- Discoloured Decolletage: Your chest may seem strong, but the skin that covers it is not. In fact, the epidermis around your neck and chest is extremely delicate. In addition to lacking subcutaneous fat, the chest area has a limited supply of cells (melanocytes) that protect skin from ultraviolet radiation. “Many patients who are diligent about caring for their facial skin forget that décolletage needs attention, too,” says Dr Austin who recommends patients “exfoliate, tone and moisturise every day.”
Practice Skin Care from Stem to Stern
Here in Australia, most skin cancers develop on the hands as well as the face, underscoring just how important it is to care for the skin all over your body. At the Austin Clinic’s online shop, you can browse our virtual aisles for your favourite skincare brands and products. Need help selecting the best option? We want to help. Contact us for expert guidance and white glove care.