Natural Anti Aging

Unsightly varicose veins and spider veins are caused by either heredity, prolonged standing, hormonal changes, pregnancy, aging, and obesity. Up to 60% of North Americans suffer from one of these vein disorders. Luckily, there are very simple anti-aging procedures which can completely solve the problem of varicose and/or spider veins.  These types of vein disorders usually appear in the legs because the legs carry the heavy weight of the body. The veins in the legs endure the most pressure, both gravity and the task of carrying the body around increases the pressure on the veins in the legs. It is the task of the veins, to carry the blood back to the heart from the bottom of the legs. Prolonged standing, hormonal changes, the effects of pregnancy and aging, all make the likelihood of the appearance of varicose and spider veins more likely.

Varicose veins over time can become unattractive and uncomfortable and cause pain. The legs can begin to throb and cramp at night. The skins around the veins can become itchy or burning. Varicose veins can become a serious problem causing a condition called “venous insufficiency” which is a severe clogging of the vein or a blood clot. It may block the heart and lungs from functioning correctly.

Varicose veins and spider veins can be prevented by:

• Maintaining a healthy weight to save the pressure on your legs

• Protecting your skin from the sun with sunscreen

• Limiting your intake of salt or sodium

• Don’t cross your legs when sitting – this cuts off the circulation

• Avoid standing for long periods of time, alternative standing with walking or shifting the weight from one leg to the other

• When resting, elevate your legs

• Exercise regularly to improve circulation

• Avoid tight clothing

• Eat a high fiber diet.

If varicose veins become swollen, red or tender to touch, contact your doctor. Treatments for varicose and spider veins include:

• Sclerotherapy

• Ambulatory Phelebectomy

• Electrodesiccation

• Laser surgery • Closure treatment

• Surgical Ligation and Stripping

Contact your doctor or cosmetic surgery clinic to find out which of these anti aging treatments is best for you.  Removing varicose veins will improve the appearance of your legs.

How the Skin Ages

There are four processes involved in the aging of the skin. The process of aging of your skin involves cell turnover, the slowing down of collagen production, the skin drying out as estrogen production and thyroid function decrease and the attack of free radicals on your skin. All of these things are involved in the aging process of the skin.

As we age, the skin dries out because of a decrease in the production of the hormone estrogen and thyroid function. Decreasing thyroid and estrogen production affects the sweat glands which results in the lowering of the levels of moisture available in the skin. Bioidentical hormone replacement can assist greatly in preserving your skin because it replaces the hormones that you are losing as you age.

A part of the aging process involves new cell production slowing down. A natural exfoliation process occurs in the skin throughout our lives. Throughout life, the skin sheds the upper top level of dead skin cells as new cells created deep in the epidermis layer push up and replace the older skin cells. When we are young and our skin is healthy, the process of new skin cells replacing older cells take about 28 days and the older skin cells slough off in approximately 12 days. In older skin this process slows down, newer cells are not created as quickly and the older cells exfoliate at a slower tempo. A process called microdermabrasion will assist greatly with the rate of skin cell turnover. It removes the upper level of dead skin cells encouraging the replacement of new skin cells.

Skin also ages because of the attack of free radicals against the body. Free radicals are unstable oxygen molecules which come from stress, cigarette smoke, pollution and sun damage. The result of this attack of free radicals on your skin causes skin discolorations, cancer and other skin cell irregularities.

And finally, as we age, the levels of collagen and elastin production decline. Collagen and elastin are proteins which give skin its moisture and fullness. When collagen production breaks down, the skin loses its volume and the result is that wrinkles and creases form. There are supplements you can take to assist with collagen production including hyaluronic acid and vitamin C. It is also possible to consult with an anti-aging specialist or plastic surgeon about cosmetic fillers such as Botox, Artecoll or Restylane which replace lost volume and fill out wrinkles in areas around the eyes such as crows feet or nasal labial folds.

Our next article will discuss in depth the most important things you can do to slow down the aging process of the skin including the care of aging skin and some of the best organic skin care products you can use.

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