By: Acacia Spa Staff

Taking care of your skin health is no longer considered frivolous. MODERN Beauty is knowing you have the power and the right to self-care. Making small improvements to your skincare routine not only has physical benefits, it can improve self-esteem and confidence- regardless of decade. Because our skincare needs change as we age, we have broken down what's going on with your skin, and how to care for it, during each decade of life.

Your 20s…

• Skin’s cellular turnover begins to decline. When we are kids, our skin turns over every 14 days, but by the time we reach our 20s, it reduces to 24-30 days.
• By our mid-twenties, collagen breakdown begins to outpace its own production.
• Signs of sun damage start to appear.
• Wrinkles become more noticeable during facial movement, but smooth at rest.

What You Need: 

• Antioxidants - Protects against damage from sun and pollution, and prevents free-radicals from forming.
• Retinol - Speeds up cellular turnover (a.k.a. Gets rid of dead skin cells faster!)
• Sunscreen - Prevents future damage

PRO TIP: If you aren’t using sunblock, you need to start NOW. Unfortunately, it will not get rid of the damage that is already done, but it will prevent future damage. Kind of like switching to water when you’re already 4 drinks deep at happy hour. Your body will thank you.

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Your 30’s

• Average skin cell turnover now takes 28-35 days.
• Loss of collagen becomes more apparent.
• Pigment issues and dullness increase.
• Our body’s natural hyaluronic acid production begins to decline.
• Start noticing static wrinkles, or lines at rest.
• Volume loss in the under-eyes, cheeks, and lips 

What You Need:

• Continue antioxidants, retinol and sunscreen
• Hyaluronic acid serum
• Growth factors - Stimulate collagen and elastin production.
• Botox - Prevent the underlying muscle from contracting, therefore inhibiting the overlying skin from folding/wrinkling. Prevents the emergence of new and deep wrinkles. 
• Dermal Fillers -  Hyaluronic acid based gels that replace lost volume in the skin. Last anywhere from 6 months to 2 years and are naturally reabsorbed by your body overtime. 

PRO TIP: While many patients fear “looking done” or “frozen”, Botox and fillers done correctly can look extremely natural. A good injector will leave you looking refreshed, not different. 

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Your 40’s

• Skin cell turnover has decreased to every 30-42 days.
• Collagen and hyaluronic acid production is further reduced.
• Volume loss becomes more noticeable. Fat pads are further reduced, especially around the temples and cheeks.
• Due to the combination of volume loss and decreased collagen, sagging of the skin becomes more apparent.
• The tip of the nose and mouth begin to turn downward due to loss of support. 
  

What You Need:

• Continue with all of the skincare steps mentioned for your 20s and 30s.
• Dermal Fillers - These are especially important now. They can help restore the volume loss and even stimulate collagen and elastin production. 
• Botox - If you haven’t started with Botox by your 40s, it’s not too late to see great improvement in static wrinkles.
• Eye Cream - Make sure you are using clinically tested eye cream to soften wrinkles and fine lines around the delicate eye area
• Medical Grade Treatments - If you haven’t already started, now is the time to start getting regular, in-office treatments, such as chemical peels, microneedling, and r.

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PRO TIP: If you are wondering how much filler you need, the 'rule of thumb' is a syringe per decade of life. By the time you are in your 40's, you need about four syringes to replace the volume you have lost.

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Shop our carefully curated selection of skincare products at Acacia Spa and acaciaspa.com. To schedule a complimentary skincare consultation please call our office at 417-823-8318.

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