Do you take time to check the obituary page of newspapers? Do you take notice of the photographs on the obituary page? Do you think they are age-accurate? Researchers in Ohio State University published a study in 2009 that discussed about the increase of “age-innacurate” photographs or photos that were taken about 15 years before the death of the person on the obituary page. From 17% in 1967, there was a steady increase until it reached 36% of the photos in 1997. The study also included the result that more women had age-inaccurate photos when compared to men on obituary pages.
It would only be natural to want a fine-looking photo that still shows our truest essence. Still, researchers were astounded by the fact that a lot of people believe that their most significant photograph was taken years ago. Although we may live longer, we are not totally pleased with the effects of aging. Mark Twain said that wrinkles are just indicators of our past smiles but people just don’t care. In fact, anti-aging beauty products in USA have become a massive industry! Anti-aging cosmetic companies are earning billions and will continue to earn bigger in the next years to come as more and more people would try to avoid the wrinkles and fine lines.
A lot of anti-aging creams makers promise a lot of good things. They will try to convince you that with the use of their products, you will have a revitalized glow in your face and blemish-free and firm skin that looks younger than ever. However, such “magic” will make you give up a lot of dollars. Do you think a single bottle of anti-aging cream is worth your dollars or is it just empty promises made by the anti-aging cream makers?
The Ingredients found in Anti-aging Creams
As we age we develop wrinkles because our body ceases collagen production. Collagen is an important protein that keeps the skin firm. Avoid smoking and put sunscreen on because smoking and sun exposure speed up the loss of collagen. Still, if the damage is done, can you still do anything to turn things around? Let’s get to know what exactly we are putting on our faces to try to avoid those nasty wrinkles. Here are some common ingredients found in anti-aging creams:
- Hydroxy acids – These are exfoliants. They remove the old skin so that the new and better skin can show up.
- Peptides –They can heal wounds through increasing the collagen production. Pentapeptides and copper peptides are just two peptides among the many peptides that you might commonly see on the labels of anti-aging creams.
- Antioxidants, like vitamin E or green tea – They stop sun damage that threatens collagen production. They can ultimately avoid formation of new wrinkles.
- Hyaluronic acid – This soaks in moisture, which can plump the tissue below a wrinkle.
- Retinol or over-the-counter version of Retin-A – Retin-A is actually a vitamin A compound found in some prescription strength compounds added to retinol. These retinoids avert the compounds that destroy collagen formation. Retinoids can also stimulate new collagen formation in the long run. However if you are pregnant, you need to avoid vitamin A.
Retinol is the compound to be saved as the best for last. Many dermatologists often advise the use of retinol to avoid and reverse the signs of aging. In fact, retinol is the only non-prescription ingredient with scientific research that can back it up. People who use retinol give testimonies of noteworthy reductions of wrinkles and brown spots on their faces.
Topical retinol application was just one of only three verified aging skin treatments as published in a study by the University of Michigan last 2008. The researchers also discovered that the other two proven aging skin treatments were hyaluronic acid injections and carbon dioxide laser treatments. Researches point out that the hyaluronic acid ingredient is most useful when it is injected beneath the skin. Actually, a lot of anti-aging cream ingredients only work optimally when inserted beneath the skin, unlike when placed on top of the skin.
The Great Claims of Anti-aging Cream
Based on the research by the University of Michigan, you may believe that you just need to find an anti-aging cream filled with retinol and other effective ingredients added in to make you look younger. Anti-aging cream labels may indicate the presence of any or all of these ingredients but the labels will not necessarily indicate the specific amount of each ingredient is inside. Just take note that the concentration of the active ingredients makes a big difference in effectiveness.
Getting heaps and heaps of retinol won’t make you instantly young-looking. Increasing the amounts of particular ingredients may also increase the unnecessary and harmful side effects like rashes and greater risks for sunburn. A lot of individuals smother their faces with anti-aging creams that may cause irritation and even allergies and eventually lead them to stop the use the product before worse effects can happen. Just take note that effective products usually have visible effects after at least eight weeks.
Remember to be always cautious of the promises that labels give you. Although labels may seem too scientific and complex, you just might be buying great copyediting. In simplest terms, the most expensive products can only give you nothing more than exfoliation and moisturizing effects. Since the terms on the labels sound very technical, it is alright for customers to think that they are buying products that are close to medicine. However, if those anti-aging creams fundamentally alter your skin tissue, then the creams can be categorized as drugs. Such category needs years of costly testing and approval by the Food and Drug Administration of the US. Any over-the-counter products you buy may be tested for safety but not for efficiency. The anti-aging cream claims have been meticulously worded so it remains on the cosmetics section.
Then how can you clarify to a haughty friend who claims that her $300 moisturizer brings her astonishing effects? The truth is that any moisturizer, whatever the cost is, will momentarily plump the skin for just a few hours. If your friend will discontinue the use of anti-aging creams, she will see her skin go back to its original appearance. This only means that she has made a very pricey commitment. The cheaper creams can work just as well, so you don’t need to feel terrible about going for the sunscreen and affordable moisturizer regimen. And until there is an actual way of returning to the past, you might just as well acknowledge that beauty is truly more than skin deep.
