How to embrace the ageing process with grace.
There is a taboo about ageing that many people will not talk about. However, as the population ages, it's essential to look at society's perception of this process and how we can overcome these issues so our lives have a purpose no matter how old we are. This article helps you understand the ageing process and ways to age gracefully.
It's a funny thing, this idea that we should all be striving to look young. It's something Western society has been doing for centuries, and the worst part is that it doesn't work. We're all destined to age, and there isn't much we can do about it. In many cultures, elders are held in high esteem for their wisdom, guidance, and teaching younger generations the way of tradition.
Yet, despite this knowledge, we still try to fight against ageing with what feels like futile results. Why? Well, one reason might be because of how people see us when they think we are getting older, whether it’s old enough to retire or whatever else society deems appropriate for our Golden Years. But another reason might be fear, fear of looking in the mirror and not recognizing what you see.
Ageing affects all genders. However, society says men get better with age and women are conditioned to believe that they need to fight the ageing process or be left behind. Women are constantly bombarded with messages about how to look younger and more attractive by society's standards. It is a never-ending battle for women to maintain the fountain of youth.
The effects of ageing are visible in our faces, hair, hands, torsos and other parts of our body, which people tend not to see as much as their face. But despite all these efforts on looking young at any cost, what you may find is that it takes more than an anti-ageing cream or some special diet to keep the wrinkles away.
Plastic surgery and injectables have become much more affordable and available to people to turn back time, but not everyone would like to go this route. The article will provide insight into the ageing process and non-invasive ways to maintain the integrity of your skin.
What is the ageing process?
Ageing is the process of maturation, and the body, cognitive acuity, and social status all change over time. You may know people who use the phrase ‘things don't work quite as good as they used to', implying that as we approach our 60's we begin to decline, or more precisely, we begin to decay. Certain activities become more complicated; memory may fail, grey hair and skin laxity become more prominent. We don’t just see ageing, we feel it.
However, there is a difference between our biological age and chronological age. Although our birth certificate dates us in chronological years, our skin and internal organs can vary in age range. For example, you may be 48 years old, and after a skin consultation with a professional, you may learn that your skin age is only 38 years old and is dependent on how well you have taken care of your skin throughout your life. On the other hand, you could be 36 years old, and your heart may be biologically older due to lifestyle choices. Thus, genetic disposition and lifestyle determine our ageing process.
A great analogy is to look at your body as a vehicle. As a whole, it runs and functions in all of its capacity. It requires frequent oil changes and maintenance to run well. However, the older a vehicle is, the more repairs and maintenance are necessary to keep it running optimally.
Although the beauty industry provides many options for maintaining the appearance of youth,
understand that there is no such thing as anti-ageing. You can not reverse the process of nature.
“Before trying to desperately make patients look younger, we should first try to stop them from decaying.” Dr. Mauricio de Maio
How to embrace the ageing process.
Mindset is a very powerful tool available to all of us, and we’re only as old as we feel. A growth mindset allows us to adapt to changes. For example, practicing gratitude can shift our mindset and attitude and enable us to appreciate the privilege of ageing.
Accept that ageing is inevitable. Accepting that we can’t stop, reverse, or be anti-ageing can help us focus on what we can do to age gracefully.
Embrace the love. We need first to love ourselves just as we are right now before anything else happens - because loving yourself is the first step to making mindful choices for your best life.
What is self-love? It’s accepting who you are, inside and out. It’s nurturing your spirit, being gentle with your thoughts and finding self-compassion when things become challenging. You’ve survived so many things in this life that have built your character and shaped your heart.
Self-love is a mindset put into action. It’s making the decisions that are best for your body, mind, and spirit. Some things that help embrace the ageing process are the practice of mindfulness and meditation, exercise, consuming a nutritional eating plan, and doing things that bring you happiness and joy.
These things have also proven to help calm the nervous system, which plays hardball on the ageing process. Stress increases cortisol production, which can impact organs and show visible signs of ageing. Caring for your body as a whole, rather than the sum of its parts, can take the focus off of the things we can’t control.
Love the skin you’re in.
As we mature, our skin shows signs of ageing through pigmentation, a skin tone change, skin type, wrinkles, skin laxity and loss of muscle tone. However, no one said you had to take it or leave it. On the contrary, you can do things to increase collagen production and contour the face without invasive procedures.
Although plastic surgery and injectables can change the appearance of your face, it doesn’t change the texture and integrity of your skin. Some therapies that can help are micro-needling, micro-dermabrasion, micro-current, radio-frequency and other similar modalities. Even then, using the right products for your skin will help to maintain skin integrity.
A rule of thumb for each day should include a regular skincare routine of cleansing, moisturizing, and sun protection. Sunscreen is the most effective way to protect skin from damaging UV rays that cause pigmentation, premature wrinkles and sagginess. Therefore, early prevention is key to healthy skin.
Including exfoliants, masks and serums in your weekly routine can slough off the dead skin cells, repair skin, and increase collagen production. However, speak with your skin care professional when it comes to the use of retinol or abrasive exfoliants, as these can sometimes can cause inflammation and irritate and damage the skin.
At Loshen & Crem, we are PRO ageing. We love to educate our clients on the best skincare practices for each individual to embrace every stage of their life. There is no one size fits all, and your skin is as unique as you are. Consulting a skin care professional can be very informational on the changes your skin has gone through and how to best care for it now and into the future.
Contact us today to book your consultation for a personalized skincare prescription to embrace ageing with grace.
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