What’s the best skin care for aging skin? We turn to expert Nurse Injector Lori Swenson for treatments and tips to help you look your best at 50.
Entering your 50s is indeed a time to celebrate! With age comes experience and wisdom, along with a deeply rooted confidence that can only come with time.
One thing you might not be thrilled about when turning 50 is the accelerated aging of your skin. Fortunately, there are ways to protect your skin and turn back the hands of time.
In your 50s, skin care treatments and routines need to focus on reacting to the body’s natural aging processes. Cell renewal slows down, hormones can change significantly, and collagen loss (that began in our 20s) has been going on for decades, all impacting the skin from the inside out. HA also decreases, and the skin barrier becomes drier as you age, increasing the need to keep the skin hydrated.
For tips on how to keep your skin healthy and glowing in your 50s, we turn to Houston-based Nurse Injector and Advance Practice Nurse Lori Swenson.
Common skin challenges for those in their 50s
There are several challenges you might face when you’re in your fifth decade of life, from dry, dull, thinning, or sagging skin to hyperpigmentation and fine lines and wrinkles.
“The biggest concerns women and men see in their faces in their 50s are often a direct reflection of how they’ve taken care of themselves in young adulthood. Things typically seen are sun damage, wrinkles, and skin laxity,” shares Swenson.
So, how much do genetics play a role? Some, though, if you take care of your skin, you’ll increase the longevity of seeing healthy skin in the mirror.
Swenson points out that, while genetics and overall health contribute to how your skin looks and behaves, those who take care of their skin with sunblock and good moisturizers often can mitigate and prevent damage.
Treatments and the best skin care for aging skin
If you turn to your local MedSpa, the list of treatments might seem overwhelming. Which should you try? Which is best for aging skin?
According to Swenson, three types of treatments that are a must for those in their 50s include Botox, collagen stimulants, and energy devices.
Botox
Botox, the most popular minimally invasive treatment, improves the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles on the forehead, at the outside corners of the eyes (crow’s feet), and between the eyebrows (frown lines).
Collagen stimulants
Collagen stimulants include a class of injectables that help to stimulate your body’s own collagen production. Radiesse and Sculptra are examples of bio, or collagen, stimulants.
Energy devices – Laser therapy
There are several different types of energy devices you might turn to to improve the appearance of your skin.
Various types of laser treatments, like CoolPeel and Broadband Light (BBL), use light therapy to improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles, skin texture and tone, and reduce hyperpigmentation. You tend to see results relatively quickly with these types of lasers.
Energy devices – Lifting and tightening
Sofwave uses ultrasound technology to stimulate collagen production to lift and tighten the skin. It’s FDA-cleared to lift the eyebrow, submental, and neck regions and reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Additional treatments
Other common treatments those in their 50s turn to include:
- Dermal fillers, like Juvederm HA filler
- Kybella for fat reduction under the chin
- Microneedling to improve the appearance of hyperpigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles, and more
Not all treatments are applicable for all skin types or concerns, so it’s best to speak with your local MedSpa provider to determine which is best for you.
Hormone replacement therapy for aging skin
In terms of the best skin care for aging skin, you might not immediately think about your hormones and hormone replacement therapy. However, Swenson suggests getting your hormones checked in your 50s to ensure they’re not out of balance or causing problems that you might not be aware of.
“Menopause has an effect not only on your mood but also on your bones and skin,” shares Swenson, “You can get your hormones checked through a simple blood test to see if they might be impacting how you feel, as well as your skin.”
Best skin care for aging skin at home
You can get the most advanced treatments in a clinic, but if you’re not taking care of your skin at home, you’re not maximizing your investment.
Swenson recommends the following tips to ensure you’re taking care of your skin at home to look and feel your best:
Do: Remove makeup every night before bed.
If you want to avoid breakouts, skin irritation, and dehydration, you must remove your makeup nightly before going to bed.
Do: Get a good night’s sleep.
Research shows that if you get less than 6 hours of sleep per night, it can have a negative impact on how you look. By adding just one hour of sleep per night, it can make a big difference in how your skin looks within just 24 hours.
Do: Moisturize in the morning and at night.
Moisturize your skin with a high-quality moisturizer in the morning and evening. Doing so helps protect your skin, prevents skin dehydration, and helps it look soft and supple.
Do: Wear a high-quality sunblock.
Use a high-quality, broad-spectrum sunblock with an SPF of 35 or higher to protect your skin from sun damage and premature aging. Apply sunscreen every morning, and reapply during prolonged exposure to the sun or after excessive sweating or swimming outdoors.
Do: Stay healthy, remain hydrated, and take vitamins.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle through exercise, proper nutrition, and supplementation with vitamins can do wonders for your skin. It’s also critical to remain adequately hydrated for your skin to look as supple as it can.
Best skin care products for aging skin
Using high-quality skin care products as part of your at-home routine is also crucial.
“To maintain healthy skin at home, I recommend using SkinMedica’s Advanced+ TNS Serum, which is all about growth factors and elastin,” shares Sweson, “I also recommended SkinMedica HA5 for hydration and moisture and products with retinol or glycolic acids in them to increase skin turnover.”
Swenson also recommends a high-quality sunblock, like SkinMedica or EltaMD.
Best skin care for aging skin – What NOT to do
Now that you know what to do for your skin in your 50s, here are some things Swenson says NOT to do. Swensong suggests avoiding:
- Tanning beds and prolonged sun exposure without sunscreens
- Heavy alcohol use
- Smoking
“I also don’t recommend forgoing Botox or not using medical-grade moisturizers. Botox does wonders to improve the appearance of lines and wrinkles so you look younger and more rested, and high-quality moisturizers help to ensure your skin is protected and well-taken care of.”
Schedule a skin consultation
Use the tips above to incorporate treatments and the best skin care for aging skin into your routine. And if you still have questions or are unsure what treatments and products are best for you, consider scheduling a skin consultation at your local MedSpa or Clinic. At DermaTouch Rn, you can schedule online 24/7!
And on a final note, you can’t put a price on looking and feeling your best.
As Swenson puts it, “Invest in yourself!! You are absolutely worth it!!”
Lori Swenson, MSN, APRN, FNP-C
NURSE INJECTOR/ADVANCED PRACTICE NURSE
Shortly after receiving her nursing degree in 1998, Lori moved from New York to Texas to begin her nursing career. Most of her 24 years as a nurse involve working within ER and ICU departments of major hospitals. In 2015, she obtained her MSN-FNP and began training under Renee Moschitto at DermaTouch RN. Lori is dedicated to patient safety and customer satisfaction and is experienced in dermal fillers and neurotoxins. Learn more about Lori and the team she works with…
DermaTouch RN offers minimally invasive and non-invasive treatments for men and women in Houston, San Antonio, Spring and Cypress, as well as the surrounding areas of Texas. We are the largest aesthetic practice in the Houston area, and all of our medical spa treatments are performed by a team of nurse practitioners, registered nurses, and aestheticians who receive continuing education to remain abreast of emerging treatments that benefit our patients. We invite you to learn more about our office before your consultation.
