The reality of life is that inevitably our bodies and therefore our skin age. However, with recent advances in the skin care and treatment industry we can slow and maybe even stop or reverse this process. We hear about miracle cures every day on TV and in magazine advertisements. But what really works? Is it really possible to turn back the clock and enjoy 10 or 20 year younger skin? Some say it can't be done as we are genetically predisposed to the aging process. Doctors, dermatologists and plastic surgeons say it is possible and there are treatments that can actually turn back the clock and reveal younger, rejuvenated skin.



The number one recommendation from dermatologists is to stop smoking. Smoking has been proven to constrict blood vessels and result in a reduction of blood flow to the extremities. Smoking also causes the skin to dry out and will age your skin by 10 or more years. If you want to have younger looking skin you must stop smoking.

Another recommendation is proper hydration. It is recommended that we drink 6-8 glasses of water a day for proper hydration. According to the American Skin Association most Americans are not properly hydrated and this can cause the skin to lose elasticity and its ability to heal and defend against disease. To test for proper hydration pinch and pull the skin between your thumb and forefinger. If it goes right back you are properly hydrated. The longer it takes the more likely you are not properly hydrated. If it doesn't go back at all you are badly dehydrated. Dehydration and improper hydration can age your skin similar to that of smoking.

Dermatologists recommend exfoliation to remove dead cells, unclog pores and stimulate the skin. This can be done by a variety of methods from masks and microdermabrasion to various skin peels. The most recommended method is also the one used in more dermatologist and plastic surgeons offices than any other treatment, the TCA peel. The TCA peel was made famous by Dr. Obagi whom created the infamous Obagi Blue Peel.

The Obagi Blue Peel is a TCA peel with the addition of a blue or green colored skin dye. This dye colors the skin and indicates what areas have been treated and which have not. The Obagi Blue Peel is a good treatment, but many doctors have found that a pure TCA peel gives better results that last much longer and require ffewer if any follow up treatments. Whereas a Obagi Blue Peel may require 3 to 5 treatments over a years time, a pure TCA peel may only need 1. And at a cost of $300 to $500 or more per treatment that can get very expensive. Recently the TCA peel has been made available for in home use at a great savings.

TCA peels are one of the most effective anti aging treatments due to their ability to exfoliate the skin, unclog pores, restore skin pH, and even stimulate the production of collagen. This production of collagen will plump skin and make it more youthful naturally. The TCA peel should be added to every anti aging skin care regimen.

Another recommendation is stay out of the sun and wear a sun block or lotion with a high SPF (Sun Protection Factor). Damaging UV rays will age your skin, damage skin cells and DNA which can lead to mutated cells and even skin cancer. The rule is every 1 day you spend unprotected in the sun makes your skin at least 10 days older. It won't seem to matter at first, but it really adds up after a while. Who wants to have old, wrinkled and leather like skin? Sun protection is a must for any anti aging skin care treatment or regimen.

Take the time to properly protect your skin and it will look healthy and younger for a long, long time.