There is one thing for certain, aging. Aging in a healthy manner is something we can aspire to do. The skin ages in two ways. One is through the natural process of chronological or intrinsic aging. The other is through exposure to daylight called photo-aging. Chronological aging is determined by genetics and choice of lifestyle.

Photo-aging is preventable and caused by exposure to sunlight.  There are many obvious changes seen as the skin ages. They include wrinkles, hyper and hypo-pigmentation, broken capillaries, dehydration, thinning of the skin and a breakdown of collagen and elastin.

Modern science is diligently working to address both the chronological and photo-aging of the skin. With the development of peptides, retinols, vitamins and green and white teas, the aging process can be slowed down and repaired in many instances. These newer ingredients, amongst others, have created a “buzz” in the skin care industry. Combine these ingredients with an effective broad spectrum sun block of spf 15 or higher, and a huge difference can be seen and felt in the texture of the skin.

Speaking with a licensed esthetician is your best bet in choosing the right skin care products. Aging gracefully, is a goal to work toward in your daily skin care regimen.

This is a very informative article written by Dermatologist Dr. Jessica Wu. Upper-Lip Wrinkles are a concern for many of my clients. Dermalogica addresses this issue with two products. Multivitamin Power Firm can be applied to the upper lip and has an infusion of Vitamins A,C and E as well as dimethicone to smooth wrinkles. A new product to be launched this spring is Skin Perfect Primer. This Primer has a spf of 30 as well as anti-aging ingredients to prevent premature aging. Look for this product to launch the Spring of 2012.

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Wrinkles above your lips can look unsightly, and lipstick can migrate into them. Find out what you can do to soften upper-lip wrinkles.

Article by Dr. Jessica Wu

Upper-lip wrinkles are commonly called smoker’s lines, even though many people who have them have never smoked. They tend to be more prominent in people who pucker their lips frequently, drink from straws, or chew gum, because these types of movements crease the skin and deepen such lines. They can also be hereditary. Here are some ways to soften them so you can wear lipstick again:

• Avoid gum, straws, and to-go cups, which make you pucker your lips. If you must use a straw, put it in the corner of your mouth so your lips pucker less.

• If your wrinkles are very fine or you’re just starting to notice them, try using a makeup primer to make them look less obvious. Primers usually contain dimethicone to smooth over and fill in skin irregularities (kind of like spackle). A model friend of mine swears by L’Oréal Studio Secrets Professional Magic Perfecting Base.

• I often treat deeper wrinkles with injectable wrinkle fillers like Restylane and Juvéderm. These fillers soften the wrinkles and, if administered carefully, won’t change the size or shape of your lips. I’m looking forward to using a new filler, called Belotero, that’s specifically designed to be used in fine wrinkles, like those above the upper lip. It’s expected to be available this spring.

• In addition to the above-mentioned fillers, I often add a few drops of Botox or Dysport, injected right at the lip line, to help relax the muscles of the upper lip. This prevents the lines from becoming deeper and helps the filler last longer.

• Laser treatments and chemical peels can resurface the top layers of damaged skin, allowing new skin to heal more smoothly. These procedures work best for people with fair skin; those with darker skin tones may develop darker or lighter patches in the treated areas

For additional information or questions concerning upper-lip wrinkles, please contact Joyce Marie of Beverly Hills at 310.275.6694.

In my opinion the Secret to Glowing Skin is to exfoliate often (at least three times a week) and moisturize twice a day. Don’t forget you sun block whenever in visible daylight. This will not only hydrate your skin but will also maintain a youthful appearance for many years to come.

Please visit my salon in Beverly Hills, California for a face mapping analysis and treatments created for your specific skin type and concerns.