Last century the life expectancy was around 50 (in general). Now it is 90! We have been granted 40-plus years of active social roles. Great, right? But how young we feel and how we are perceived are not related! Looks are very demanding. Even the aging superstars are not exempt either. Their toolbox is full of support: botox for wrinkles, fillers for sagging, Spa pampering for rested appearance, plastic surgery for eye bags and face lift, tons of posh-brand cosmetics, including professional stylists!
Apart from merciless public judgment we are our own harshest critics! Do we have to follow the suit? Why doesn't it work permanently? Can we reverse this process? Can we, somehow, turn younger every year? Unlike other organs, our skin is constantly exposed. Compare it to a trench coat: sliding against your clothes inside, exposed to rain and shine, automotive exhaust outside, rubbing on other objects on the subway, jammed in your backpack, pressing against the counter at the store, thrown into a chemical bath at dry cleaners... Eventually you have no other choice than to replace it with a fresh and stylish, brand-new one, correct? Can we do same with our skin?- Not yet. Scientists are still working on that. What can we do, now? To fix the car a mechanic has to know how it works. Every little cog is important. We are not mechanisms. Our parts can rarely be replaced. But maintenance due to “mileage” is key. Let me “take you for a ride”: -When we are babies, our skin sheds every two weeks. It’s renewed from a yet untapped resource, gets its full nutrition, enjoys the support and looks happy. -Now we are a teenagers that can not understand our new body. The hormones kick in. Our skin switches on that function, too. -Young adults endure a lot of stress and excitement: school, peer pressure, a boyfriend, first job, friends… ! What don't we notice, is that skin slows down it's renewal cycle. -In our 20's it takes already a month to grow, because there are so many new things to fight off! But the resource is still full and we recover fast, looking great! -Your 30's - There comes a new vortex: first important position, student debt, wedding, first apartment, pregnancy, first kids, husband instead of parents... Our skin is still holding up its end of the bargain. But the renewal cycle slows down even more. We start noticing the first consequences of responsibility - puffiness and dark circles under the eyes, sinking temples, crow’s feet around eyes and mouth, dullish skin. No big deal - that’s what makeup is for! That miraculous inner resource is still there, though running low. -Your 40's - This can be the peak of active social life for a lot of us. Kids’ needs come first, then it is the job, house, bills, car, PTO meetings, friends... Where are we on this list? Usually at the very bottom. Quick shower in the morning, some tooted “miracle” cream on the cheeks, and we are out of the door till night. We plop the head on the pillow and shut the eyes: quiet, at last! The skin gears up for this challenge cutting off all unnecessary to keep up with its main function - protection! Now takes almost 2 months to receive that inner support. -Your 50's - Change again. Finally we can pay attention to ourselves and conquer the world! Except the mirror tells us that something is not right. We exercise, diet, buy new cosmetics, sleep in - all the stuff that used to help us before, and even more. The efforts should pay off! Only our skin tells us: “Sorry, the available resources are almost down to basic needs… Support, please!” The menopause is not helping either. -Your 60's - By the mid-sixties we have tried it all. We have evolved beyond the “youthful beauty” bias. With grandkids smiling and hugging us despite our looks, we finally give up trying to look the same age as we feel (around mid-40's). The cells renewal slows down to over 3 months. The generous resources are depleted. The tired, malnourished, flaking skin can not even protect us properly anymore. Is it the end of our “ride”? Can we turn the clock back? - No. Is it possible to look same age we feel? - Yes! Our skin is a miraculous organ! A little of proper support on this life-long journey brings tangible results at every “turn”, helps us to look AMAZING! It's time to get the support you need at every phase and stage of your skin health. Visit your local aesthetician for personalized plan. To your beautiful skin! |
Helen Mallett,
|