Skin Aging: Therapy

See also under “Skin-friendly cleansing and care”. The following measures refer to the treatment of these age-related skin changes:

  • Age spots (lat. : Lentigines seniles, Lentigines solares).
  • Exsiccation eczema (desiccation eczema).
  • Keratoses (cornifications) including actinic keratoses.
  • Crow’s feet (Lineae orbitales laterales)
  • Corner of the mouth ptosis (lowering of the corners of the mouth)
  • Pruritus senilis (itching of old age)

General measures

  • Avoiding factors that promote skin dryness (frequent washing and bathing, dry climate, sauna); bathing time maximum 20 minutes.
  • Fresh air ensures optimal oxygenation of the cells.
  • For bathing or showering, use replenishing soaps, oil baths or shower gels containing oil. They leave a nourishing film on the skin and smooth it. For cleaning the face are suitable skin-friendly milks, emulsions or creams with refatting substances.
  • If the skin on the arms and legs is particularly dry or itchy, then you should cream them especially intensively. There are now shower oils that contain additional moisturizing substances, itch-relieving and skin-soothing substances. Occasionally, there is a hypersensitivity to wool fat and its esters.
  • If your skin is taut, you need to put cream on it – preferably with a cream that has a higher fat content. The “winter cream” should supply the skin mainly fatty substances and moisturizers that improve the water-binding capacity of the horny layer.
  • Skin care products containing the following ingredients have been shown to reduce signs of aging or make the skin appear younger:
    • Α-Hydroxycarboxylic acids (synonyms: alpha hydroxy acids; English : alpha hydroxy acids, AHA); belong to the natural fruit acids (malic acid, glycolic acid, mandelic acid, lactic acid and citric acid); effect: opens the skin pores, so that fewer comedones (blackheads) are formed (fruit acid peeling).
    • Azelaic acid (English : azelaic acid); Effect: antibacterial acne agent for external treatment.
    • Hydroquinone (1,4-dihydroxybenzene, a phenol); Effect: bleaching agent (carcinogenic in animal studies).
    • Kojic acid; Effect: reduction of pigmentation and significant skin whitening.
    • Retinoids (substances related to retinol (vitamin A) in their chemical structure or biological activity); effect: opens the skin pores, so that fewer comedones are formed; for the treatment of hyper- and parakeratotic skin diseases and severe acne.
    • Salicylic acid; action: keratolytic (detachment of horny cells) and antimicrobial action.
  • Nicotine restriction (refrain from tobacco use).
  • Limited alcohol consumption (men: max. 25 g alcohol per day; women: max. 12 g alcohol per day).
  • Sleep gives the skin time to regenerate.
  • Review of permanent medication due topossible effect on the existing disease.
  • Avoidance of psychosocial stress:
    • Stress – Stress has a negative effect on appearance and attractiveness.
  • Avoidance of environmental stress:
    • Irritants (chemicals, solvents)
    • Air conditioning (dry air)
    • Overheated rooms (maximum 21 ° C)
    • UV-A and UV-B rays (sunlight; solarium) lead to oxidative stress and accelerate skin aging (photoaging) → sunscreen!
    • Winter (cold) – cold-dry climates; dry heating air (→ reduction of sebaceous gland secretion); in addition, the following recommendations:
      • Air space humidifier
      • Wear gloves from < 10 °C outdoor temperature

Conventional non-surgical therapy methods

  • Laser therapy – wrinkle smoothing and tightening by CO2 laser therapy: superficially located warty and raised changes of aging skin can be well ablated by CO2 laser. In this way, new, youthful connective tissue develops in the upper dermis instead of elastotic degenerated tissue. The upper skin (epidermis) thus receives a fresh layer of connective tissue. Furthermore, laser therapy is well suited for the reduction of facial telangiectasia. CO2 laser treatment is a possible beautifying and disease prevention for mature skin.
  • Photodynamic therapy (PDT) – for actinic keratosis (chronic damage to the keratinized epidermis caused by many years of intense exposure to sunlight; actinic = caused by rays) of the forehead.
  • Botulinum toxin therapy
  • Hyaluronic acid filler (HAF) – for lateral brow lift (eyebrow lift).
  • HAFs (degradation fragments of hyaluronic acid) – for augmentation (“building”) of the midface.
  • Peels – for texture improvement.

Regular checkups

  • Regular medical checkups

Nutritional medicine

  • Nutritional counseling based on nutritional analysis
  • Nutritional recommendations according to a mixed diet taking into account the disease at hand. This means, among other things:
    • A total of 5 servings of fresh vegetables and fruit daily (≥ 400 g; 3 servings of vegetables and 2 servings of fruit).
    • Once or twice a week fresh sea fish, i.e. fatty marine fish (omega-3 fatty acids) such as salmon, herring, mackerel.
    • High-fiber diet (whole grains, vegetables).
  • Observance of the following special dietary recommendations:
    • The energy intake should not fall below 1,500 kcal / day, otherwise due to malnutrition or malnutrition, there is a risk of undersupply of micronutrients (vital substances) to the skin.
    • Also, an insufficient supply of proteins (protein) leads to premature aging of the skin with, for example, wrinkling and alopecia (hair loss). In cases of anorexia nervosa, these changes occur in a typical manner.
    • The diet should be rich in micronutrients, because insufficient intake leaves traces on the skin.
  • Selection of appropriate foods based on the nutritional analysis.
  • See also under “Therapy with micronutrients (vital substances)” – if necessary, taking a suitable dietary supplement.
  • Detailed information on nutritional medicine you will receive from us.

Sports Medicine

  • Physical activity promotes blood circulation and thus the supply of the skin.
  • Endurance training (cardio training) and strength training (muscle training).
  • What applies to the muscles of the legs, buttocks and abdomen, is also important for the muscles of the face. A firm muscle base prevents sagging and wrinkling. As far as possible, facial gymnastics should be performed at least twice a week. Only regular training leads to an effect. Numerous books and videos on this subject provide instructions for this.
  • Preparation of a fitness or training plan with suitable sports disciplines based on a medical check (health check or athlete check).
  • Detailed information on sports medicine you will receive from us.

Psychotherapy