Reduce Fine Lines and Wrinkles: 9 Anti Aging Solutions For Smoother Younger Looking Skin

Can over-the-counter creams reduce fine lines and wrinkles? Though women over 40 will reach for retinoids anytime, you must know that our search for anti aging solutions that will reduce fine lines and wrinkles now goes beyond your usual jar of anti aging creams.

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Though my fine lines and wrinkles represent wisdom and experience, to be frank, I would rather not have them. I started splurging on anti aging creams way before I need them. Unfortunately, I didn’t know what to buy then so I end up with innumerable products that look promising but are essentially disappointments.

Unfortunately for us, women over 40, we need to weed through hundreds of procedures and products so we can really get into the good stuff. Many youth-enhancing solutions are unfortunately blown way out of proportion and are even sometimes entirely nonexistent. No matter how disheartening this seems, I know you can appreciate the fact that there are effective anti aging techniques that can reduce -- and even banish -- fine lines and wrinkles.

So what treatments are available for fine lines and wrinkles? We, women over 40, have two options: Cosmetic and medical techniques. Below is a description of time-tested methods and potential outcomes.

Medical Treatments

Retinoid. Primarily sold as an acne medication, retinoid (Renova, tretinoin, Retin-A) hit the market in the 1980s as the very first retinoid developed for this kind of topical application. After months of dominating the market, doctors noticed an unexpected effect among women who tried it: Reduction of fine lines and wrinkles. Since then, retinoid -- a chemically related compound of vitamin A -- has successfully dominated the market for proven effective medical treatments for fine lines and wrinkles. What is great about retinoids is that it also covers other signs of aging like wrinkling, roughness, and pigmentation. Unfortunately, retinoids produce peeling and redness, making this topical one of the most challenging treatments to stick with.

Wrinkle fillers. One of the most advanced treatments for fine lines and wrinkles are literally within your reach. Think of skin and wrinkle fillers that work instantly -- at least until you wash them off. One of the most inexpensive fillers you can find today is Olay Regenerist Filling + Sealing Wrinkle Treatment ($17 at Amazon.com).

Retinol. A fat-soluble vitamin derived from provitamin carotenoids and preformed retinoids, retinol has been proven to be more effected and more potent than prescription retinoids. Compared to other anti aging solutions for fine lines and wrinkles, retinol is less irritating and is geared towards long-term smoothing because of a more stable formula providing a slow time-release function. What skin experts have in their bags: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Intensive Night Cream and L'Oréal Paris Advanced Revitalift Anti-Wrinkle Concentrate Clinical Action.

Moisturizers. We all know what a good moisturizing can do for the skin. But do you know that applying a good moisturizer -- one specifically made for your skin type -- can make your wrinkle less prominent? Well, at least temporarily. So when a moisturizing ad says that it can “reduce fine lines,” well at least you can count on the fact that there is some truth in it.

Cosmetic Procedures

Forget about going under the knife. When it comes to anti aging solutions for fine lines and wrinkles, women over 40 can count on non-surgical procedures that have no downtime and an almost instantaneous effect.

Botox. Best for forehead creases, frown lines, crow’s feet, and the like, Botox is one of the foremost non-surgical anti aging solutions sign up for these days. Formulated from a purified solution of botulism bacteria, Dysport and of course the more popular Botox is injected into the skin in tiny doses, relaxing clenched facial muscles. The procedure causes minimal discomfort and only takes few minutes to get done. Improvements in the skin may vary, though most cases last for several months.

Basic chemical peels. Containing salicylic acid, lactic acid, glycolic acid, or trichloro acetic acid (TCA), basic chemical peels essentially utilizes a specific formulation of any or a combination of these acid solutions to reveal smoother, newer, and younger looking skin. Though the application takes as little as 15 minutes, the formula works slowly, revealing improvements in the skin at least four days after it has been applied to the skin. To reduce the appearance of age spots, wrinkles, and fine lines, a series of treatments may be required.

Microdermabrasion. A less painful and more gentle skin-freshening technique than dermabrasion, microdermabrasion utilizes tiny crystals to blast away dead skin cells, revealing afterwards a tighter, pinkish skin. Irritation usually subsides 24 hours after the procedure. Though subtle improvements in texture and tone can be observed immediately after the procedure, it may take up to 10 sessions before significant difference in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles are clearly visible.

Thermage. Perfect to tighten crepe-like, saggy skin, Thermage uses radio frequency to stimulate collagen production all over the face. Though the treatment can be painful, most women over 40 reports significant difference in how their skin looks, particularly the skin around the eye area. Thermage is essentially the only non-invasive procedure that can contour and tighten the skin in a single treatment. Result usually appears four months after the procedure, but the difference in how the skin looks and feels is dramatic.

Nonablative laser. Also known as photorejuvenation and subsurface resurfacing, nonablative laser and other light treatments, such as Fraxel, essentially improves fine and moderately deep skin wrinkles, skin roughness, and dyspigmentation. Unlike full-laser resurfacing that removes the entire epidermis, nonablative laser and light treatments only penetrates the skin without damaging the surface. Though the procedure can be painful (topical anesthetic must be applied), there is little if any downtime.

If you are already decided on signing up with any of these cosmetic procedures, make sure that you consult with board-certified and experienced doctors who specialize in at least two of these procedures. You should not only be aware of the potential benefits of the procedure but of the risks as well.

Anti Aging Solutions to Firm Sagging Skin

What is the secret to a younger looking skin? What does a woman, who has reached the big 4-0, need to do to have firm skin? How do you really get rid of wrinkles? These are but some of the questions we often talk about. And what makes this worse is that whenever I go around the cosmetics counter, I am actually overwhelmed by the number of products, which was changed almost every week. I’ve seen a number of anti aging creams that have been lucky enough to be given a prominent position on the shelf for a year or so, but believe me tons of new products just keep on coming every single week. So what is in store for us, women over 40? Here is our list of what the counter lady (and even your doctor) may offer you for younger looking skin.

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Your mom, during her time, that is, has only one option then: Go under the knife. Well, actually there is a second option, which is really a not-so pretty sight. Think heavy peeling and hyperpigmentation. Today, it is our turn and fortunately we have everything that we need for a firmer skin right at the cosmetics counter. But how can we be so sure that these anti aging solutions really do work? Here is our list of expert-recommended and proven anti aging solutions for a smoother, younger looking you.

Patricia Wexler Intensive 3 in 1 Eye

Smoothening creams were formulated to target glycation, a biological process wherein glucose (also known as sugar) sticks to and breaks collagen down, which essentially leads to sagging. To prevent and even halt the effect of glycation, experts recommend is Patricia Wexler Intensive 3 in 1 Eye Cream ($55.95 at Amazon.com). A firming, anti-wrinkle, and lifting day cream, Patricia Wexler Intensive 3 in 1 Eye Cream is essentially formulated with NiacylTM, MMPi-20TM, and BVOSC to restore youthful-looking contours and support natural skin structure.

Why do we recommend Patricia Wexler Intensive 3 in 1 Eye Cream? Featured in 2005 Time Style and Design, Patricia Wexler Intensive 3 in 1 Eye Cream is one of the few products that are based on recent scientific developments that specifically target a group of enzymes called matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). Similar to the effect of LED in inhibiting MMPs, Patricia Wexler Intensive 3 in 1 Eye Cream utilizes MMPi technology in order to exhibit the very same result when applied topically to the skin. The result: A plump, visibly smoother skin. But the benefits simply do not stop there: Clinical studies show that regular application of the Patricia Wexler Intensive 3 in 1 Eye Cream prevents further wrinkling, improves skin tone, and revitalizes elastin and collagen growth. Shop for Patricia Wexler Intensive 3 in 1 Eye Cream at Amazon.com using this link.

Another technology-based formulation to the Wexler product line is Niacyl, a clinically proven ingredient of the Patricia Wexler Intensive 3 in 1 Eye Cream that essentially enhances and boosts the effects of the other ingredients. A potent ingredient to many of Weler’s anti aging solutions, the function of Niacyl is to trigger the skin to produce more collagen and deliver moisture-boosting niacin to the skin cells.

Radiesse

Another option that you may want to look into is Radiesse. Popularly referred to as the wrinkle filler, Radiesse is a comfortable, quick, and simple dermal filler treatment that encourages your body’s own production of collagen to smoothen out wrinkles and other signs of aging. The ideal choice for those who opt for total facial contouring, Radiesse is a minimally invasive procedure with zero downtime, immediately taking effect as soon as the formula is introduced to the skin. Unlike topical anti aging solutions, you need to visit an esthetician or cosmetic surgeon who can perform and has been accredited to provide Radiesse.

Thermage

Other anti aging solutions that are gaining momentum: Thermage. A non-invasive, skin tightening procedure, Thermage is an FDA-approved procedure that utilizes radiofrequency (RF) energy to tighten and evenly tone sagging skin, loose jowls, and even provides a contouring effect in the jaw and lips.

Each procedure usually costs between $1,000 and $5,000. Though Thermage is a onetime treatment, some patients may need more and even require additional treatments to maintain results. It is difficult to know how long the results can last since it has been approved by the FDA only last 2002, but experts predict that it can range for as little as two years to ten full years.

Demystifying the Best Anti Aging Plan: Seven Pillars of Looking Young, Feeling Young

The best anti aging plan should do wonders for your body, and not only your skin. Here are the seven pillars of the best anti aging plan women over 40 should know.

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Our generation, the women over 40, is just determined to look young and feel young. Instead of feeling guilty about it, I even encourage my friends to do whatever anti aging plan that comes into their mind. Why? Simply because we can’t afford to be timid and shun away from anti aging solutions offering ways to brighten our day just by looking at the mirror. Our generation of women over 40 deserves nothing but the truth and the best.

Aside from anti aging creams, it is important that you employ other anti aging solutions so you can truly achieve what you want. Your concept of what anti aging should go beyond a jar; we have seen a big change, if not a paradigm shift, in the idea of what anti aging is. It is time that you change yours.

Natural Anti Aging Plan

You really don’t have to go to an anti aging center so you can reclaim what time stole from you. The best anti aging plan shouldn’t be difficult, yet it should challenge you. No matter how cliched it may be, I still stand by my belief that the best anti aging plan should encourage you to ditch old ways and misconceptions about looking young and feeling young.

Our thoughts count, and it also affect the quality of our life and well-being. What more if you translate these thoughts into action. Making a small difference in how you live your life, like switching to green tea or doing strength training at least twice a week, will not only improve the quality of your life but may also increase lifespan as well. We all know that eating an apple may, well, keep the doctor away. But do you know that adding apple to your diet can also add at least two years to your life? These small, simple things, when done regularly, translate to wonders.

Forget about deprivation. The best anti aging plan, something that you can really create on your own, will teach you how you can enjoy a healthy, long, and fun life. It shouldn’t require you to do daunting things; instead, a natural anti aging plan, when “planned” right, should come to you, well, naturally. Eastern medicine, particularly traditional Chinese medicine, treats our body as one of the wisest elements there is. Listen to it, and it will tell you how you can look and feel your best.

The Best Anti Aging Plan: Seven Pillars

Your anti aging plan should have the seven anti aging secrets as its pillars: Right diet, soy, anti aging supplements, proper hydration, maintaining a healthy weight, cardio exercise, and strength training. So where does the anti-aging cream come in? Experts do agree that the power of putting on anti-aging cream doesn’t even come close to what any of these anti aging secrets can do for you and your body.

Anti aging foods

I remember reading what Pablo Picasso said on looking young and feeling young, “It takes a long time to become young.” And I certainly couldn’t agree more. And one of the most important anti aging secrets all women over 40 should realize is that there is a lot of eating that needs to be done when one wants to look young. Forget about specially formulated diet plans; when it comes to true anti aging foods nothing can even come close to what Mother Nature has blessed us with.

Eating anti aging foods is really all about eating foods closest to its natural state. Think freshness in all its glory. The goal of anti aging foods is to give you the freshest, tastiest dishes while showering your body with all the nutrients that it needs -- everything from protective plant substances to youth-preserving antioxidants.

Soy

If there is one thing I love about Asian food it is soy. Ever wonder why the Japanese look so young with their ever smooth and luminescent skin? Or how the Chinese manage to maintain their lean physique? Think about the vitality, longevity, and the robust health of people in Asian countries? After years of research, more and more experts are starting to believe that maybe soy is the wonder and even youth food women over 40 are looking for.

An excellent source of protein and dietary fiber, soy is said to ward off age-related conditions, including, but not limited to, breast cancer, osteoporosis, and, of course, menopausal symptoms. But the magic of soy essentially lies in isoflavones, or a group of plant substances linked to a number of health benefits like lowering LDL or “bad” cholesterol, slowing down the growth of cancer cells, and even repairing and building stronger bones.

Soy is a great alternative for meat; containing virtually saturated fat and cholesterol, soy is an excellent source of high-quality and low-calorie protein. It is also rich in essential nutrients like calcium, B vitamins, and iron.

Anti aging supplements

With a healthy diet and an overall nourishing lifestyle, many women over 40 ask, “Do I really need to take supplements?” When we say natural anti aging plan, we don’t mean anything superficial; we advocate natural eating, but we certainly are not after ditching anything that has been produced by machines. A natural anti aging plan should include taking supplements for one reason: Because your body is not as efficient as it used to be. While our body produces youth-preserving antioxidants like alphalipoic acid and coenzyme Q10, experts do agree that once women hit the big 4-0, the body starts to slow down its production levels, thereby, leaving us with insufficient amount of these antioxidants.

Anti aging supplements essentially contain larger doses of plant compounds and nutrients than what your diet -- no matter how healthy it is -- can actually deliver. Aside from taking multis, women over 40 need their regular doses of anti aging supplements to aid the body in warding off age-related conditions and free radical damage. When shopping for anti aging supplements, your list needs to have coenzyme Q10, alphalipoic acid, bioflavonoids, flaxseed oil, gingko, vitamin E, vitamin C, pycnogenol, and phosphatidyl serine.

Hydration

Considered by many as Mother Nature’s anti aging tonic, water is needed by our body every second, making us alive, allowing us to breathe. Hydration is essentially the key to almost everything, good things, that happens to our body -- from fending off headaches to keeping our skin smooth and supple. Water also boosts our body’s energy level, helps us focus, and clears our system from harmful toxins that block our body’s energy (or qi to traditional Chinese medicine) channel.

Your healthy weight

We are all different. Our body is carefully created, shaped to become unique, setting us apart from others. No matter how difficult it can be, I always make sure that I look at the scale and not at the TV when checking on my body. I gained a lot of weight when I reached the big 4-0. Well, the truth is, I have accumulated fat over the years and it started when I gave birth to my eldest. I really had difficulty losing my baby pouch, one, because I have to raise my kids and work at least ten hours a day, and, two, because I thought that my body will just naturally take care of it. I guess it didn’t.

Whether it’s a rude joke or simply an evolution blunder, a woman’s weight will always grow parallel her age. Our weight gain is not only an issue of us being too tired to hit the gym or a too good chocolate cake you can’t resist eating but of myriad of things that seem to naturally happen to and within our body. Our metabolism slows down, our muscle mass decreases as we age, and we become, or chose to be, less active.

One of the very first things that you should check is your BMI. A BMI of 25 to 30 is essentially considered as overweight while any reading that goes beyond 30 is categorized as obese. But you shouldn’t stop with BMI. Make sure that you check where the fat has accumulated. Weight circumference, alongside BMI, is used by many health experts in gauging how healthy a woman is. The larger your waist, the higher risk for weight-related disorders like heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and cancer.

Find what works for you. We all know that we wouldn’t find this when we look at magazines and TV. Back in my 20s, I have a waist line of 18. Today, I shop for ensembles that will fit my waist of 29 inches. While managing a hole-in-the-wall restaurant, writing online, and running a life insurance agency, I walk everyday and attend yoga classes. I know it wouldn’t be long before I can whittle the extras in my tummy and the number in the scale.

Cardio exercise 

I am guilty of not doing enough cardio exercise to work my lungs and heart. Though I do eight reps of sun salutation (with variations) and do power walk, I know I need to do more to make sure both my lungs and heart are working at its best. But it’s not only the heart and lungs that get happy when I move; aerobics is essentially a low-risk investment that provides tremendous benefits.

The puffing and the huffing can do more good than the sudden shot of pain we loathe when we stretch our body. It boosts metabolism, reduces stress, eases perimenopause symptoms, rewinds your sex drive, gives you energy, and really makes the seemingly difficult task of falling asleep easy. And it only gets better. Cardio exercises have been linked to a number of health benefits, including lowering the probability of weight- and age-related diseases like heart disease, osteoporosis, and arthritis, among others.

Our body is made and created for moving -- even though our lifestyle has creatively engineered beneficial activities out of it. I know I am guilty of this, but when I think of cardio I immediately picture aero classes and treadmills. But it is important for us (and I really mean also me) to realize that we don’t really have to hit the gym to get some heart-pumping action done. I am proposing incorporating cardio exercise to our routine; and by this I mean increasing our level of physical activity. Think about what you do the next day, and simply make those mundane tasks more physical. I enjoy gardening, and every morning I start on a new plot, garden plot, that is, and start to cultivate and prepare the soil for new seeds. I get at least 20 minutes of hoeing (not what you’re thinking, silly) before eight in the morning, and that, for me, is already a good start.

Strength training

I love yoga simply because it engages the whole body and everything I have in me. I consider a power Vinsaya practice (lots of sun salutations with variations) because it’s like doing cardio cycling. I also love yoga for the simple reason that it stretches every inch of me, and since we do a lot of incredibly challenging poses, I thought yoga can substitute for strength training sessions. And I thought wrong.

Yoga maybe an excellent toning tool, but building muscle cannot be accomplished with doing asanas (lesson learned). Strength training is really one thing we, women over 40, can’t afford to miss. The benefits of resistance training really go beyond whittling excess fats. If you’re planning to shape up and finally achieve that leaner physique you’ve always wanted, building muscle is a routine you can’t skip. In fact, it is the key that holds the door for a leaner you.

Aside from trimming excess fats, strength training revs up your metabolism by increasing the amount of muscle in your body. Resistance training also increases your muscle strength, delivers more energy, improves your balance, and even kicks depression.

A natural anti aging plan should have all of these. It should allow you to be and feel your best by doing what the body is naturally created to do. I believe the best anti aging plan should inspire you to listen to your body and learn about its ways. Women over 40 should believe that they have all they need to really look young and feel young. We just need to trust ourselves, get up, and keep moving.