Starting around age 40, many people notice that they begin to have “crepey skin.” With this condition, the skin appears thin, loose, and finely creased, similar to the appearance of crepe paper. This often happens to the skin on the face, especially on the upper and lower eyelids, upper lips, neck, chest, and even the tops of the hands.
Although widely considered a part of the aging process, crepey skin can also be caused by other factors, such as sun damage, dehydration, lifestyle factors, and even certain medications.
Fortunately, you don’t have to confine yourself to wearing scarves or turtlenecks to hide your crepey skin. Here are some of our favorite ways to restore, protect and nourish your skin, and to reduce the signs of aging.
Lifestyle Preventions
If you’re under age 40 or are only just showing signs of crepey skin, some simple lifestyle changes can prevent it.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and keeping your skin moisturized. Avoid excessive alcohol consumption.
- If you smoke, you should quit right away. Not only is it terrible for your lungs and overall health, smoking can reduce your body’s oxygen supply and dry out your skin.
- Always wear sunscreen outdoors, including on your neck, chest, and hands. Stay in the shade when you can.
- Try reducing stress and get enough sleep.
- Consume a balanced diet full of antioxidants, vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Anti-aging Skin Creams
There are many anti-aging creams available to help treat and prevent crepey skin. The best products contain ingredients such as retinol, niacin, vitamin c, and hyaluronic acid.
- Retinol, or vitamin A1, is an antioxidant found in many anti-aging products. It can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles and even out skin tone. Retinol can trigger processes that increase cell turnover, stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, and encourage skin hydration.
- Niacin, or vitamin B3, has a variety of uses in the body. Niacin helps protect skin cells from sun damage, and some research indicates that the vitamin could help reduce the risk of certain types of skin cancer.
- Hyaluronic acid has become a popular ingredient in skin-care products in recent years, thanks to its role in hydration and tissue repair. It can help skin appear fuller and smoother.
- L-ascorbic acid vitamin C is proven to stimulate collagen production and increase skin cell renewal. When applied topically, L-ascorbic acid stimulates collagen production, and:
- Reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles
- Increases skin cell renewal
- Helps correct discoloration and brown spots
- Supports the healing of sun damaged skin
- Increases skin elasticity
Dr. Lady Dy at Dy Dermatology Center, recommends NeoStrata Skin Active Triple Firming Neck Cream with SynerG Formula. This formula contains NeoGlucosamine, a non-acid amino sugar technology that provides gentle exfoliation to encourage cell turnover, reduce the appearance of fine lines, and create a more even skin tone. Glucosamine is also a building block for hyaluronic acid, which helps plump the skin and is involved in the process of skin healing.
This NeoStrata cream also contains NeoCitriate, Pro-Amino Acid, Apple Stem Cell Extract, and Vitamin E. You can call Dr. Dy’s office for more information on this product.
Skin Treatments
If you don’t want to apply special creams and other cosmetics every day, or you already have crepey skin you’d like to correct, Dy Dermatology offers several skin treatment options to help you get the look you want.
Ultherapy
This non-invasive ultrasound technology can help lift and transform the skin. Ultherapy is currently the only non-invasive, FDA-cleared procedure that helps lift mild-to-moderate loose skin on the neck, chin, eyebrow, and chest. Ultherapy stimulates the production of collagen to improve the skin’s integrity.
Microneedling
Microneedling with devices like the SkinPen creates tiny channels in the skin to encourage the release of natural growth and healing factors. This increases blood flow to the area and promotes the formation of new collagen and elastin. Using the Vivace device, radiofrequency and heat is generated to produce even more collagen. This can help reduce visible scarring and smooth skin texture.
Skintyte™
Laser Skintyte™ Laser Skin Tightening treatment from Sciton is a fast, effective, no-downtime option that is suitable for all skin types. This option uses infrared light technology to heat dermal collagen beneath the surface of the skin. This triggers the body’s natural healing process and leads to the appearance of firmer skin.
Thread Lift
If you have a little sagging skin, Dr. Dy recommends that you try a PDO Thread Lift to help lift and tighten the problem areas. This non-surgical, minimally invasive facelift can help correct loose, drooping skin around the face and neck. This technique uses absorbable threads called Novathreads, which create an inflammatory response that triggers new collagen production and fibrosis, which tightens the tissue.
Chemical Peels
Chemical peels improve the appearance of aging, crepey skin by using a chemical solution to remove the outer layer of old skin. The new skin that replaces it is usually smoother and has a much better appearance. Chemical peels can be used to treat:
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Mild scarring
- Age spots and sun damage
- Discoloration
Glycolic acid peels are simply chemical peels that have glycolic acid as the main component. They are all-natural, as glycolic acid comes is a fruit acid and is derived from sugar cane. It clears the old, rough and dry skin stuck its surface. When that layer of skin is removed, a new, fresh layer is revealed.
Trichloracetic acid (TCA) is a non-toxic chemical that has been used to perform skin peels for more than 20 years. When TCA peels are applied to the skin, the top outermost layers dry up and peel off over the course of several days to a week.
Dy Dermatology offers numerous ways to help correct sagging, wrinkled, crepey skin. With the right treatment and skin-care approach, you’ll not only have more youthful, healthy skin, but the confidence to flaunt it rather than hide it!
Dr. Lady Dy is one of the most sought after dermatologists in the United States. She has studied all over the world and has worked with the world’s leading experts in skin and hair. Her patients fly from all over North America, Dubai, Norway and Korea to be treated by her in Chicago. To learn more about Vivace, contact Dy Dermatology Center. Click here to request an appointment or call the dermatology center at (847) 832-1185.