The Aging Edit - 3 Biggest Questions
Why do we get wrinkles?
The short answer….
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Breakdown of structural proteins (collagen, elastin, and connective tissue)
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Repetitive muscle movement
What you can do: daily massage, face yoga, mindful eating
Massage and face yoga can stimulate new collagen production and help make connective tissue stronger and more flexible. These two modalities used together will release tension while helping to reprogram facial expressions and muscle movement.
Why does our skin sag?
The short answer…
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Stagnation
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Gravity
What you can do: daily massage, face yoga, gua sha, reflexology
Our tissues hold our issues. As we age we often accumulate more stress, toxins, bad habits and unprocessed emotions in the body. As stagnation sets in, muscle flexibility decreases, blood flow to the skin declines, lymph fluid gets retained under the skin and emotions literally get stuck on our face. Use any of the recommended facial modalities to relieve stagnation and fight the effects of gravity.
Why does the skin get dry as we age?
The short answer…
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Reduced oil production
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Loss of barrier function
What you can do: Switch to seaweed based skincare, use facial oils, nutritious and gradual exfoliation, internal hydration
Our cell turnover rate slows down significantly as we age, but there’s more to the picture. With age related hormonal changes comes a reduction in sebum activity within the oil glands. At the same time, ceremides between skin cells naturally decline which allows more water evaporation from the surface of the skin. This leaves the skin thirsty for water and oil. One way to address this is to replenish lost “water” with mineral water, such as seawater. And if you don’t already incorporate a facial oil into your routine, then start YESTERDAY! Don’t over exfoliate your skin, you want slow, gradual and gentle exfoliation so that you can build the barrier back up while improving overall skin function. Also try adding electrolytes or minerals to your water so that you have more cellular energy.
