“You’re lucky you have good genes!” If you’re fortunate enough to receive this compliment about your skin, or have given this compliment in the past, you may be surprised to find that it’s not entirely true…

When it comes to skin aging and appearance genetics do play a part.,  However, most people are surprised to find out genetics are not the only thing responsible for how you look as you age. In fact, recent studies on twins revealed that:

40% of the skin aging variation actually comes from non-genetic and mostly controllable factors. 

This means that even if your mom and dad look fabulous as they age, you are still largely in control of how your skin will look as you progress through life’s various milestones. 

This is great news! Rather than feeling like you’re stuck with the cards you were dealt, you can change the cards by creating good habits. 

In this blog post we break down how to prevent or address common skin conditions that occur as you age - including acne, fine lines & wrinkles, and sun damage - so that you can look your best at every stage of life! 

Skin Care for Acne

Acne is most often associated with a person’s adolescence years, primarily around the time of puberty. However, adult acne is not uncommon.

There are numerous types of acne: 

• Blackheads: Open bumps on the skin that fill with excess oil and dead skin. 
• Whiteheads: Bumps that remain closed by oil and dead skin.
• Papules: Small red or pink bumps that become inflamed.
• Pustules: Pimples containing pus. 
• Fungal acne (pityrosporum folliculitis): This type occurs when an excess of yeast develops in the hair follicles.
• Nodules: Solid pimples that are deep in your skin. They are large and painful.
• Cysts: Pus-filled pimples that can cause scars.

Since there are so many varieties of acne, treatment can range from over-the-counter topical creams like benzoyl peroxide and salicylic acid, to prescription medications such as Spironolactone, Doxycycline, and AccuTane. 

However, no matter which type of acne you are struggling with, prevention and treatment start with a good skincare routine and taking care of your body from the inside out. 

Our top tips for preventing or reducing the chances of acne include:

• Wash your face at least twice a day with a gentle cleanser
• Put on SPF in the morning, and reapply before being in the sun
• Moisturize daily 
• Treat your skin gently - avoid tough wash clothes, or picking at it
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day
• Get enough sleep (7+ hours a night is what most people need)
• Limit daily sugar and dairy intakes

It’s not just your facial products that matter. “If you are using a comedogenic (pore blocking) hand lotion and then leaning your face on your hands or sleeping on your hands, this could contribute to your acne,” shared Noelle Cesario, LifeScape Aesthetician.

There are numerous diet and nutrition-related factors that can cause acne flare-ups as well. When seeking treatment it’s important to work with a ‘whole health’ provider who takes an integrative approach, while also exploring traditional medical solutions.

Anti-Aging Skin Care

As you age, your body will naturally begin to produce less collagen - it’s inevitable. In fact, by the time you are 30, your body will even begin to lose collagen. This means you may start to see wrinkles and fine lines developing on your skin around the age of 30. 

While this happens to everyone, there are also factors such as spending too much time in the sun, that can speed up the aging process of your skin. Luckily, in the present day, there are a number of modern solutions that can help you care for your skin with an emphasis on anti-aging.

For starters, investing in a good retinoid that you can use multiple times a week, can produce noticeable results. A retinoid increases skin cell production, helps unclog pores, and increases collagen production, which can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, giving your skin a plump appearance.

Make sure to do a bit of research on your own, or speak to your aesthetician or provider to learn which retinoid would be best for you. At LifeScape, we offer a variety of high-quality, medical-grade skincare products.

If anti-aging creams aren’t giving you the results you want, there are also alternative treatment options available like microneedling, PDO threads, Hydrafacials. And for those seeking results more quickly - botox and fillers. These are both FDA-approved ways to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by injecting substances beneath the surface of the skin to add volume. 

Similarly to retinoids, there are numerous fillers and injectables to choose from so it’s important to work with an expert who can determine what is best for your body. At Lifescape, we offer:

• Botox
• Xeomin
• Jeuveau
• Hyaluronic acid fillers

“The most common injectable that I typically opt for are hyaluronic acids," shares Dr. Heather McGee, LifeScape Physician Injector, “they do a beautiful job, taking up space and lifting the skin.”

You can schedule a complimentary consultation with our licensed aesthetician or physician injector to learn more.

Skin Care for Sun Damage

As we age, another important factor in our skin’s appearance and aging is the amount of sun damage we have. UVB rays from the sun cause aging, wrinkling, and loss of elasticity and increase your likelihood of skin cancer. We often don’t realize how much sun exposure we get on a daily basis - whether that’s from being in direct, outdoor sunlight or from sitting by our office window every day or driving to and from work.

The good news is - preventing skin damage from the sun is incredibly easy. 

Our top recommendations to prevent sun damage include:

• Limit time in the sun
• Seek out shade when available
• Apply and reapply an SPF of at least 30 every day 
• Moisturize after spending time in the sun

“Your skincare routine in the morning should be focused on protecting your skin throughout the day. This is why making sure you don’t miss steps like applying SPF every morning is crucial.” - Noelle 

Despite how careful you may be with your skin, as you age, skin cancer is a scary milestone some may have to face. Luckily, if found early skin cancer is highly treatable, but it is important to know the signs. Early signs of skin cancer can include:

• A pearly or waxy bump
• A flat, flesh-colored, or brown scar-like lesion
• Bleeding or scabbing sore that heals and returns

If you have any signs of skin cancer, we highly recommend scheduling an appointment with your concierge doctor. Getting to know your skin and checking for any abnormalities regularly is an important part of any skin care routine, throughout the entire course of your life.

An Integrative Approach to Skin Care

At LifeScape, we take an integrative approach to skincare, partnering with our patients in their quest to age gracefully and with confidence. 

While one of our patients may come to the office seeking a consultation with our aesthetics team for acne or aging concerns, our providers from all departments will work together to identify and treat the root cause, which in some cases may lead to a nutrition or primary care consultation. 

“I founded LifeScape to provide a completely different kind of healthcare; one that focused on the totality of you. We go well beyond resolution through hit-and-run medication, and instead, investigate and resolve the root causes of illness.”
-Dr. Susan Wilder, Concierge Care Physician, and Lifescape Founder.

Join LifeScape Concierge Care 

It’s no wonder so many of our members live healthy, long and satisfying lives. 

With Concierge Care at LifeScape, we treat you as a whole person. Our functional and integrative approach takes into consideration your history, genetic risks, and lifestyle, to get to the roots of your conditions and solve them in a holistic way. In addition to the benefits outlined above, our members also have access to resources such as:

• Proactive, transformative care designed for the totality of YOU
• Uninterrupted, one-on-one quality time with your doctor, every visit
• High-tech, customized testing
• Loyalty to you, not your healthcare insurance
• Convenient office hours and patient-centered services
• A comfortable and stunning spa-like office setting
• Telemedicine visits

Our comprehensive suite of medical services, including telemedicine visits, is offered by the best doctors in Arizona and unparalleled staff. Achieve peace of mind in your health, with a true partner in your care.