Crepey skin is a certain kind of damage which mostly occurs as people age. Since your skin is the first barrier that should stop negative external influences such as toxins and pollutants from the environment, UV rays or destructive additives from various skin care products, it's not uncommon for it to become more devastated as years go by.
Taking good care of your skin is recommended no matter how old you are, but this particular problem is usually a result of premature aging. Apart from crepe-like features, skin also gets wrinkly, mostly around the corners of your eyes and mouth.
CAUSES OF CREPEY SKIN
What causes crepey skin is no longer a mystery. Doctors and scientists claim it's an inevitable, regular part of getting older. More specifically, its main cause is the disintegration of the skin's structure. When people are young, their skin is rich with elastin and collagen, but these proteins can decompose prematurely if the skin is overexposed to the aforementioned influences.
There is no better way to prevent wrinkles and crepe-like features than maintaining healthy skin. If you want to preserve high levels of collagen (which is really, really important), there are a few things you could do with your skin on a daily basis.
PREVENTION OF CREPEY SKIN
1) PROTECT YOURSELF FROM UV RAYS
The sun is great, but it can also damage your skin severely. Ultra-violet rays are extremely harmful, but since it's impossible to live without sunlight, people are prone to suffering from its consequences. UVA and UVB rays not only damage collagen and elastin, but they often produce very dangerous compositions known as reactive oxygen species or ROS. It's been proven that ROS molecules induce photodamaged skin, something impossible to fully escape from. Also, ROS are responsible for almost all kinds of skin damage, even wrinkles.
This is why it's important to use sunscreen with good UV protection. Things like clothes and hats which physically block the sun and UV rays from having a direct impact on your skin help greatly.
2) USING GOOD MOISTURIZERS
When your skin is dehydrated, it looks even more crumbly and damaged than it should. Applying a moisturizer at least twice a day on your entire body can be of great value because of the hydration it provides. Also, it's important to note that moisturizers with natural ingredients are known to work better because most of them contain important antioxidants along with Vitamin C and other vitamins which can ultimately work on preventing aging on a deeper level.
Retinol, also known as vitamin A not only provides protection from ROS compounds, but also encourages the production of important proteins (collagen and elastin). This is why natural, plant-based moisturizers can be vital in the fight against crepe-like skin.
3) EXFOLIATION
Since your skin is constantly in the process of regeneration and produces new cells approximately every 6 weeks, the pores can get overcrowded with dead skin cells. Consequently, various oils may get stuck inside, impairing the look of your skin. Exfoliants speed the process of regeneration up, which ultimately results in smoother and healthier skin.
Adequate ways of exfoliation are Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) and Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA). AHA's and BHA's have the ability to get rid of everything that clogs the pores such as dead skin cells. That effect is crucial for preventing premature aging of the skin.
EVERY DECADE - DIFFERENT CARE
There's no such thing as starting too early when it comes to skin care. You can start preventing crepey skin from an early age. However, it's important to know every age group has its own best way to do it, and here's how:
DURING 20'S
This is the time when lots of people have problems with acne, which is probably the reason they are reluctant to use skin care products which can clog pores. Oils are undoubtedly the best skin care option at this age. Natural botanical oils with hydrating properties are never a bad choice, even more so because they can also help with acne.
DURING 30'S
Oils are also very important at this stage and should be a regular part of your skin care regimen. However, this is when you need to take good care of specific areas such as corners of your mouth and eyes. Using AHA's and BHA's is also highly recommendable because at this age regeneration of skin cells starts becoming even more important.
DURING 40'S
Now's the time to get serious. Oils may not get the job done by themselves anymore. This is when you should turn to retinoid skin care products because they're the best when it comes to fixing the damage induced by UV rays and the environment. Since hormonal changes are also possible at this age, it can provoke abnormal acne breakouts in your face's T-zone. You should fight these issues by using products based on plants such as willow bark or anything that can unclog your pores. Also, at this age all products which contain Vitamin A, B or E are known to help a lot.
ALTERNATIVE WAYS TO FIGHT CREPEY SKIN
Consistently taking care of your skin from an early age is definitely the most efficient way to prevent crepey skin and other skin problems. However, personal skin care regimens may not always cut it, especially later in life, so undergoing a procedure is also a viable option if you want quick solutions.
HOW TO FIX CREPEY SKIN – 2 PROFESSIONAL SOLUTIONS
1) VISIBLE LIGHT DEVICES
This is considered a safe method to retrieve youthful skin and its upside is short recovery time. This method also helps you reduce pigmentation issues, photodamage and loss of collagen.
2) CHEMICAL PEEL
This is considered to be a more radical way of using AHA and BHA exfoliants. These acids then exfoliate the epidermis, which is the top layer of the skin. It repairs damaged skin and boosts the creation of new skin cells.
ARE SKINCARE PROCEDURES FOR ME?
The aforementioned procedures are a good fit mostly for people in their 40s and 50s that've started getting wrinkles and other features of an aging skin.
Following these tips on how to fix crepey skin is recommended. However, you should always ask your doctor for advice if you want to start or change a particular skin care routine. Even though you can always start taking care of your skin, no matter how old or young are you, preventing premature aging is certainly the best option. Wrinkles, crepey skin and other problems can be fixed to an extent, but it's even better if they're prevented.