Let’s face it, aging is inevitable. Here at Gallaher Plastic Surgery & Spa MD, we believe that aging gracefully & naturally is the golden ticket to age-appropriate, swoon-worthy skin.
How do you get there? Apply a topical antioxidant religiously and daily. Antioxidants are our 1st line of defense against the major skin-aging culprits like sun, pollution, free radicals, and collagen depletion.
Think of this image: cut open an apple and leave it on the counter for 1 minute. What happens? The skin browns and shrivels slowly over time due to oxidation, a process that damages the cells of the fruit. However squeeze a lemon on the surface, and the apple retains its white untouched surface.
This is the same process that occurs with our skin over time. By applying our “lemon juice”, an antioxidant, the skin’s naturally occurring aging process begins to slow down.
In addition to preventing damage from the inside, antioxidants supplement the UVA + UVB protection against the sun’s rays. Fact: sunscreens block up to 55% of the damaging free radicals responsible for hyperpigmentation, wrinkles, and lackluster skin tone, giving us even more reason to prevent against the elements.
Unfortunately, there’s no single antioxidant that will do the job, so it’s important to get a variety. Look for adequate percentages of each topical antioxidant (e.g. at least 10-15% of Vitamin C). Two well-researched and effective antioxidants are:
Vitamin C: vital for collagen production – the substance responsible for providing skin its plumpness and elasticity – alleviates inflammation.
Vitamin E: known to protect against sun damage and promote healing of scars, prevent loss of moisture, and improve skin tone.
When to apply? Apply to clean skin, pre-moisturizer and pre-sunscreen.
Author: Pamela L., LE
Some of our favorites at Gallaher Plastic Surgery & Spa MD:
Obagi Professional C Serum, Neo Cutis ReActive antioxidant Serum, Neo Cutis Journee Bio-restorative Day Cream Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30 15ml
Stop by any location for a free consultation with one of our medically-trained Aestheticians to find which product is best suited for your skin type!