Modern Anti-Aging Approaches: Do They Really Work?

If you’re in your 30s or 40s and have noticed your once youthful-looking skin is now a proverbial sea of fine lines and wrinkles, you are not alone. According to Elizabeth Bahar Houshmand, a well-regarded double board-certified dermatologist in Texas, it is quite common for the skin to start losing its elasticity around the age of 30. And this is often a byproduct of a natural decline in the body’s production of elastin and collagen, proteins that keep the skin tight and firm. 

Of course, when you add hyperpigmentation to this equation, which often goes hand-in-hand with fine lines and wrinkles, it can take even more of a toll on the skin’s overall appearance. For reference, hyperpigmentation is a condition that causes some parts of the skin to become noticeably darker than others. Not surprisingly, all of these skin issues can adversely affect how some people feel about themselves.

Premature Aging and the Psychological Impact

For some people, the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, and even hyperpigmentation, are in no way bothersome as they are just another part of getting older. However, these skin imperfections are a big deal for others. To put this into perspective, we need only take a look at a survey published by studyfinds.org, an online resource for published research studies from preeminent universities and journals. The survey revealed that about 60 percent of Americans state that issues involving their skin, which includes noticeable signs of premature aging, adversely affects their confidence and overall self-esteem. Some respondents even claim that the condition of their skin has ruined their professional and personal life, causing them to forgo social engagements, call out from work, and much more. As a way to combat these low feelings, many people are turning to prescription and at-home remedies to improve the appearance of their skin.

Modern Anti-Aging Approaches: Do They Work?

When it comes to treatments aimed at reversing the signs of premature aging and ridding the skin of blemishes, including hyperpigmentation, some of them are quite effective. That said, let’s take a moment to detail some of the routes that many individuals take to achieve healthier, younger-looking, and even more radiant skin:

Nutrition: Benefits and Side Effects

Most will agree that consuming a healthy, well-balanced diet can lead to better physical health; however, doing so can also lead to healthier, younger-looking, and more radiant skin. For example, studies show that foods rich in hyaluronic acids, such as root vegetables, citrus fruits, soy, and bone broth, can help boost elastin and collagen production. In turn, this tightens loose skin and reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, all of which are the hallmarks of premature aging. Further, consuming foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, such as mackerel, salmon, and other fatty fish, can also help combat hyperpigmentation. As far as side effects, some of these foods can potentially trigger an allergic response in some individuals. That being the case, it would be a good idea to speak with a physician, nutritionist, or dietician before making any drastic changes to one’s diet.

Sports: Benefits and Side Effects

Along with consuming a healthy, well-balanced diet, playing sports or otherwise engaging in regular exercise can do wonders in terms of improving skin appearance, not to mention overall physical health. Studies show that resistance training, for example, can increase muscle mass, which, in turn, tightens loose skin on various parts of the body. What’s more, exercise makes you sweat more, which helps unclog pores that often cause the skin to appear dull. In terms of side effects, strenuous exercise can potentially cause respiratory or cardiovascular problems for those who are not healthy enough to engage in such activity. As such, it would be a good idea to speak with a physician before starting any exercise regimen.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT): Benefits and Side Effects

Along with aging, a human growth hormone (HGH) deficiency can also take a toll on skin appearance. According to a study published by the National Institutes of Health, alongside weight gain, low libido, and chronic fatigue, individuals with low HGH levels often develop hypopituitarism. For reference, hypopituitarism is a condition that causes the skin to become exceptionally dry and thin, which can both lead to signs of premature aging. Fortunately, growth hormone medications approved by the Food and Drug Administration can help boost low HGH levels and combat hypopituitarism in the process. Despite the full list of possible hgh side effects, excessive use of human growth hormone replacement medications has been linked to the following:

• Joint, nerve, or muscle pain
  
• Edema
  
• Tumors
  
• High cholesterol

It should be noted that the risk of experiencing these side effects is relatively low if individuals take growth hormone replacement medications, such as Nutropin, Saizen, and others, as prescribed by a licensed physician.

Cosmetology and Plastic Surgery: Benefits and Side Effects

Anti-aging creams and serums, especially those that contain retinol, can help minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles associated with premature aging. Of course, for those who want to achieve significantly younger-looking skin, plastic surgery might be in order. Unlike anti-aging creams and serums, however, there are side effects that can stem from going under the knife, including infections, nerve damage, and scarring.

Bottom Line

In summary, wrinkles, fine lines and wrinkles, and sagging skin are all part of getting older. And they can become more pronounced when individuals routinely expose themselves to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, have a growth hormone deficiency, or consume an unhealthy diet. Fortunately, growth hormone replacement therapy, and many of the other remedies detailed in this article, can resolve these issues and, in turn, allow individuals to feel more comfortable in their skin.