Smooth, firm, elastic skin of the face and body is every woman's dream. The tone of the dermis can decrease for various reasons: due to age, certain diseases, weight gain, dehydration. We will tell you about the ways to restore and preserve excellent epidermis turgor for a long time.
What determines the elasticity of the skin?
The tone of the dermis is its general healthy state, that is, normal metabolism in cells, free breathing of tissues, hence the softness, density, and beautiful appearance. The period during which the skin retains its elasticity is only 10-15% dependent on genetics. For the most part, the condition of the skin depends on our lifestyle, habits, nutrition, etc.
The skin tone of the face and body begins to deteriorate after 25 years: by this time, age-related changes and care errors have accumulated, which trigger negative processes in the dermis. As a rule, visually it is still imperceptible, but self-care needs to be intensified in order to increase the density and elasticity of the skin.
After 35 years, the decrease in tone begins to manifest itself especially clearly. The reasons for this process:
- a decrease in the production of collagen, elastin and hyaluron in the skin: the first is responsible for the density of tissues, the second gives general tone, the third helps to retain moisture;
- weakening of facial muscles: the muscle frame that supports the skin ceases to fulfill its functions, and the skin sags under the influence of gravity, becoming covered with folds and creases;
- weakness of blood vessels and capillaries - since nutrients and oxygen enter the skin through them, vascular problems immediately affect its condition;
- acute and chronic diseases, especially of a hormonal nature, as well as dermatological, - because of them, metabolic processes are disturbed in the skin;
- inaccuracies in the diet: lack of nutrients and fluids prevent the skin from regenerating itself, building new healthy cells;
- improper care: poor-quality, aggressive cosmetics upset the moisture balance in the cells, poison the skin with toxins, does not provide the necessary protection, damages the lipid layer;
- toxins and free radicals in the air and ultraviolet light: all this dries out the skin, makes it sluggish and prone to wrinkles.
As you can see, each of the factors that reduce skin tone can be corrected with the help of competent caring procedures.
Important! Decreased skin tone is primarily caused by the lack of regular skin care. So, if you do not use night creams or apply them incorrectly, the dermis loses its optimal level of hydration. Ignoring nourishing creams and masks leads to a decrease in firmness.
How to improve skin tone?
To restore the skin to its former elasticity and firmness, many turn to the help of cosmetology and plastic surgery. Professional procedures (biorevitalization, botulinum toxin injections, the introduction of subcutaneous fillers, threads, tightening, etc. ) are really capable of quickly and effectively making the face and body attractive.
However, regular skin care is essential even after invasive procedures. Moreover: an attentive attitude to oneself, timely implementation of simple actions will help to postpone acquaintance with needles and a scalpel for a long time, to eliminate skin imperfections. We will share such safe and affordable ways to restore skin turgor.
Important! To achieve results, you need strict self-discipline for 2-4 months. If during this period you perform daily procedures at home, then your face will literally be transformed. And then useful actions will simply become a habit.
Moisturizing - rule number 1
In order to tone the skin - on the face, around the eyes, and throughout the body - you need to drink enough fluids. It is water that helps the skin to maintain a fresh and healthy appearance at any age: both after 45 and after 50 years. Thanks to the water in the epidermis, metabolic and regeneration processes intensively proceed, the collagen and elastin fibers remain flexible. Hyaluronic acid binds and retains water molecules, providing cells with optimal turgor.
The skin receives the bulk of the water it needs not from the creams and serums that we apply, but from the intercellular space. It is there that water molecules from the blood enter, and into the blood - from the digestive tract. The dermis consumes about 200 ml of water per day - not a single jar of cream simply can hold such an amount.
How much water should you drink for optimal skin tone? The rate is calculated based on the weight of a person: approximately 30 ml per 1 kg. In any case, for an adult, the amount of clean water drunk should not be less than 1. 5 liters per day.
The volume of water in the epidermis depends not only on the amount of liquid drunk, but also on the ability of the skin to retain it: with age and under the influence of damaging factors (sun, wind, toxic substances, cosmetics for alcohol, medicines), this ability decreases. In order for moisture to be retained in the skin, it is necessary to monitor the state of the lipid layer - the thin fatty mantle of the dermis.
The skin can lose moisture, including due to malfunctions of the kidneys, heart, certain diseases (diabetes, irritable bowel syndrome, hypothyroidism, etc. ). In this case, a specialist consultation and timely treatment will help solve the problem.
Important! Even a slight dehydration significantly changes the appearance of the epidermis and spoils its structure: dark circles under the eyes become more pronounced, wrinkles become deeper, and the oval of the face sags and becomes distorted.
What foods improve skin tone?
The beauty and health of the skin depend on the diet by 80%: all the components necessary for the construction and repair of cells enter our body through nutrition. The tone of the epidermis can also be improved with products that stimulate the production of hyaluronate, elastin and collagen.
The recommendations of nutritionists are as follows:
- the basis of the diet should be fresh or baked vegetables and fruits; special attention should be paid to orange and red fruits (tomato, bell peppers, carrots, pumpkin, persimmons, apricots, etc. ) - they are rich in lycopene (an antioxidant), which protects the skin from ultraviolet radiation and flabbiness;
- you should consume 150-200 g of lean meat, poultry, cheese, legumes per day, because protein is an essential component of collagen, elastin (their main component is amino acids); in addition, protein food helps to synthesize the dipeptide carnosine, which enhances the strength of collagen fibers;
- eat at least 300 g of fish and seafood per week: they contain omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, magnesium, selenium - components that prolong the youthfulness of the skin, since they protect collagen fibers from destruction;
- include in the diet nuts, plant seeds (30 g per day) - in addition to fatty acids, they also contain rare alpha-linolenic, protein, zinc, copper and magnesium - everything you need to keep the skin soft and elastic;
- get used to consuming 5 g of gelatin-containing products per day (jellied meat, aspic, jelly, etc. ) - gelatin contains a huge amount of bioavailable collagen and after two months of use it noticeably increases skin tone (fish oil has similar properties);
- eat soy products (tofu cheese, soy meat, milk, etc. ) - they contain a plant analogue of the hormone estrogen, which is responsible for skin hydration, its turgor and density, as well as the isoflavonoid genistein, which blocks enzymes that reduce the tone of the epidermis;
- it is worth giving up baking, sweet, carbonated, alcoholic, caffeine-containing drinks, fried, smoked, salted, fast food - all these products destroy elastin and collagen fibers, and suspend the production of hyaluronic acid.
Important! Dermatologists and cosmetologists know the term "sugar face": this is a face with gray, loose skin, edematous, with a drooping oval, wrinkles, bags under the eyes and rashes. Why is sugar so bad for the skin? Consuming a lot of sweets leads to glycation: glucose molecules destroy the elasticity of collagen fibers. As a result, the skin becomes thinner and saggy - especially around the eyes.
Sport: the collagen factory within us
How to improve the tone of the skin of the face and body after 40–45 years, when the decrease in the elasticity of the epidermis becomes especially noticeable? First of all, with the help of sports and physical activity.
- First, strength training strengthens the muscles, increases their volume, which makes the skin naturally tighten and straighten. This is especially true for people who have lost weight as a result of diet and cardio training.
- Secondly, microdamages to muscle fibers and adjacent tissues during physical exertion trigger powerful regeneration processes in the body, which increases the production of collagen fibers throughout the body - the skin receives more collagen after exercise than after the most modern cosmetology program.
- Thirdly, loads activate blood circulation in the body, forcing the epidermis to breathe more intensively and nourishing it with useful substances. As a result, the skin color improves, its density and elasticity increase.
Intensive exercise is enough three times a week for an hour. Use additional weight: its weight should be such that the working muscle group cannot perform more than 8-12 repetitions. However, physical activity should not be exhausted only by training: do not miss any opportunity to move, and the skin will repay you with a blooming look.
Important! If you are short on time, there are serious contraindications for strength training, give yourself at least minimal physical activity. Let it be simple walking for one hour a day, yoga or swimming - this will already be a good contribution to increasing the tone of the epidermis.
Face building and massage
Facial exercises and massage are one of the best and safest ways to tone your skin. The developed muscular frame of the face helps to smooth the epidermis, enhance its elasticity, strength, turgor.
There are a large number of face building and face fitness systems. The basics of facial gymnastics can be taught by specialists.
As for massage techniques for the face, today cosmetologists have more than 20 types of them:
- zogan;
- asahi;
- toffa;
- hakim;
- reaffirming;
- roll-stretch technique, etc.
However, to perform a facial massage, you can do without special skills. It is enough to gently pat, pinch and rub the skin along the massage lines.
To achieve the effect, regularity is important: devote 10-15 minutes to classes. daily. Apply some moisturizer or natural oil to your face before proceeding to soften the skin and ease the sliding of your fingers.
There are also contraindications for face fitness and facial massage:
- heat;
- violation of the integrity of the skin;
- purulent rashes;
- diseases in the acute stage;
- herpes;
- poor blood clotting.
Important! Facial gymnastics and massage are also excellent vascular training. They can also be trained with ice or contrast wash. However, if you easily blush in a stuffy room or from a glass of wine, you should refuse to use ice - otherwise rosacea may develop on your face.
Cosmetics for skin elasticity
To maintain skin tone, you must regularly use caring cosmetics - naturally:
- as natural as possible;
- High Quality;
- suitable for your skin type;
- according to the expiration date.
Cosmetic brands release special product lines that promise to restore the elasticity of the epidermis - the achievements of modern cosmetology make it possible to believe such promises.
What substances should be in the means to increase skin tone?
- Hydrofixers - are responsible for increasing the level of moisture in the skin: hyaluronic acid, glycerin, chitosan, aloe, algae extracts, etc.
- Antioxidants - tone the skin, protect cells from oxidation: vitamin C, E, coenzyme Q10, green tea extract, grape seed, chokeberry, etc.
- Drainage components - conduct useful components into the skin, retain moisture, restore the lipid mantle: caffeine, escin, dextran.
- Natural oils - create a lipid film on the skin, contributing to its hydration, nutrition and regeneration: almond, peach, grape, apricot kernel oils, essential oils.
What cosmetic products are needed for regular use?
- Moisturizing serum. The skin cannot be elastic without strong cell membranes and good hydration - this is what serums are designed for. The product has a very light texture, it is instantly absorbed, preparing the dermis for the subsequent application of the cream. Regular use of the product literally transforms the skin, allowing you to abandon even the foundation.
- Daily cream. A product for moisturizing, nourishing the skin, as well as protecting against ultraviolet radiation (a good cream always has a high SPF factor). The cream covers the skin with a thin protective film of lipids, which prevents the dermis from losing moisture. There should be several day creams: it is better to have separate products for the skin around the eyes, neck and décolleté - here the skin is thinner, more delicate and the cream requires a lighter, but intensely acting one.
- Night cream. It is the nightly use of this product, and not a visit to beauty salons, that gives the skin elasticity, density, firmness: the cells of the dermis are most active from 1 to 4 am. At this time, the susceptibility to the components of the product is maximum. The ingredients of the night cream accelerate cell renewal and help build new, stronger ones.
- Masks are a very effective means of increasing skin tone. Under their influence, blood circulation and lymph flow, metabolism, tissue respiration are improved. A noticeable effect is provided by course carrying out procedures: 10-15 times in a row, then 1-2 times a week to maintain the result. The effect of the mask is enhanced if applied after the massage.
- Peels, scrubs. Once a week, you need to deeply cleanse your skin with these products. Exfoliation produces a dynamic massage of the skin surface, and is also perceived by it as a microdamage, which stimulates blood circulation and regeneration of the epidermis, the growth of collagen and elastin fibers. As a result, the skin gains firmness, smoothness and an even color.
Important! The cream is best applied to clean, damp skin after washing: water is an excellent conductor of nutrients into the deep layers of the dermis. The product is applied to the skin with a fairly thick layer, along the massage lines. After half an hour, the excess is carefully removed with a napkin.
The tone of the epidermis directly depends on the general condition of our body. Very often it is enough just to have a good night's sleep and rest, so that the skin regains the desired elasticity and density. And following the tips outlined in the article will help you always stay beautiful!