Thin Crepey Skin
What Causes Crepey Skin
What is crepey skin? Why do we get it as we age? The word crepe (\\krāp\\) is usually used to refer to a type of fabric that is thin, with a wrinkled surface, or sometimes a pancake.
However, in the skin care world this term takes on a new meaning….now a days, people refer to a certain type of aging skin as crepey, or sagging thin skin.
While there are many causes of crepey skin, the main reason is usually due to the decline in youthful collagen and elastin production.....the main building blocks for a firm, supple, hydrated complexion.
There are several reasons for loss of collagen, such age, decline in hormone production (estrogen), diet and life style habits (smoking and sun damage), sometimes extreme weight loss or illnesses which cause dehydration.
Professional Procedures for Crepey Skin Treatment
There are several tightening and rejuvenating procedures that might help, but it really depends on each individuals situation. For example, a cosmetic surgery face lift is more appropriate if there is severe sagging or drooping - but it won't really help much for wrinkling and thinning of the dermis and may even make it look worse.
Other procedures involve chemical/ laser peels, or laser resurfacing (like Fraxel CO2 (Fractionated CO2) where the top layer of the dermis is burned and slowly peels away revealing new, smoother, tighter complexion underneath may help.
Less invasive procedures involve the use of professional medical microdermabrasion (MDA) which is a resurfacing technique that uses a stream of fine abrasive diamond crystals that slowly – over the course of several sessions – exfoliates or “sand blasts” the top layers which can help to smooth out a crepey wrinkled complexion.
However, the problem with all of these procedures is they don’t address the thin aging issue and cannot replace lost volume.
This is where dermal fillers (like Restylane, Juviderm, and Sculptra) may help - depending where the problem is. Your doctor can discuss best options for your situation.
Home Remedy For Crepey Skin
While nothing - even plastic surgery - is a sure fire "cure" for crepey skin, there are procedures you can do at home to help improve the look and feel of your complexion.
Hydrate - Make sure to keep your skin hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, eating foods (veggies and fruits) that are high in liquid volume.
Consider keeping a humidifier in the bedroom at night if you live in a dry climate. Spritz your face throughout with mineral water kept in a spray bottle. Or for more hydration try adding an equal amount of full fat milk to the mineral water mixture...a secrete that Cindy Crawford swears by.
Increasing Cell Turnover - Exfoliate with through microdermabrasion creams and lactic acid serums that can help reveal newer smoother skin underneath, reduce imperfections like brown spots, freckles, or age spots, and help skin absorb moisturizers better.
Moisturize - Follow each exfoliation treatment with a super hydrating moisturizer. This is the best time to moisturize because the dermis is clean and clear allowing the moisturizer to penetrate better.
Increasing Cell turnover is very important for those over 35 years of age and should be part of a weekly maintenance as the ability to shed dead cells is reduced as we age - which is why many of us suffer from dull, flaky complexion.
Manual exfoliation with natural hydroxy or natural fruit acids (like salicylic acid) is best. Followed with a wax free, vitamin C enriched moisturizer to seal in hydration and improve the look and feel of your complexion. Click here how to get flawless complexion to learn more.
Facial exercises is another option to improve the look of a crepey complexion. This can be used in conjunction with manually increasing cell turnover as listed above.
According to face exercise experts, facial muscles are attached to the skin - as well as bone - so by exercising the underlying muscles the dermis benefits in several ways. Increased circulation which brings more oxygen and nutrients to the dermis.Older damaged cells are removed giving the complexion a healthier look and tone with wonderful color.Oily and dry zones are regulated due to the massage effect which helps distribute oils.Increase muscle size and fiber lifts sagging skin for a firmer fuller lookSome suggests that constant massaging/gentle handling of the skin helps increase collagen production reducing that thin papery area around the neck and eyes.
And, the beauty of using face exercises is it's a natural anti-aging skin technique that's probably the most inexpensive and effective way to stay younger looking as we age because it helps to address several aging factors.....sagging, wrinkles, and papery thin skin.....
And, there is no need to purchase it over and over again - like creams or Botox. Once you purchase the instructional DVD, you can use it at home forever.
You never have to replace or purchase it again. It's a life long tool for a younger more elegant face. And, after a few months, you'll find that you've memorized the exercises so you can do them anywhere without the DVD.
Facial exercises can help: Get smoother tighter complexion Improved toneReduction of fine lines and wrinklesReduction in pore sizeLift the whole face and neck
The exercises only take 15 minutes and are done lying down...so you can do them first thing in the morning or before going sleep. Laying down gives you the "gravity" advantage for faster results. According the designer of this program, most people start to see results in as little as two weeks.
For best results, you should do the exercises a few times week. The older you are (or the more skin damage you have - the more often you should do them. Click here to watch a video and see sample face exercises.
Additional Reading For Crepey Skin
Hide Wrinkles - Try this topical filler to help hide wrinkles by plumping up and reflecting fine lines. See before and after pictures.
Reference: Why Facial Exercises Work
Return from Crepey Skin to What Causes Wrinkles
Return from Crepey Skin to Wrinkle Free Skin Tips
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