Are You Bothered by These First Signs of Aging?

Our skin continues to change as we get older. The sad part is these changes can also appear sooner than later, which can be caused or exacerbated by your habits or skincare routines. Continue reading as we list the first signs of aging and what you can do to address or improve their appearance.

Crow’s feet

Fine lines around the corner of the eyes are usually one of the first signs of skin aging. This is because the skin in the area is more fragile than the rest of the face and is put through various daily movements, including squinting and blinking. And as the skin loses its ability to bounce back, fine lines around this delicate area also show up.  

Skincare tip: The first signs of crow’s feet can appear as early as your 20s. This only makes it important to wear sunscreen around the eye area and wear sunglasses (with UV protection) to prevent squinting. Adding an eye cream like Elastifirm Eye Repair or Eye Restore to your nighttime routine can also help reduce their appearance.

If you have visible crow’s feet that are making you self-conscious, we have injectables that can soften or smooth their appearance. We have Botox, which uses a neurotoxin to smooth crow’s feet and other facial wrinkles. You can also turn to dermal fillers to reduce the appearance of lines, folds, and wrinkles. Laser resurfacing and chemical peels can also help soften them.

Sun spots or dark spots

These show up as darkened patches that vary in size and color. As its name suggests, sun spots usually appear on areas that are constantly exposed to the sun. These include the face, neck, shoulders, and back of hands. You are likely to see the first signs of sun spots early on if you love spending time in the sun. 

Prolonged and unprotected sun exposure in your 20s can catch up to you, typically in the form of sun damage. Age spots can be subtle, or in some cases prominent, depending on how often you love basking in the sun. They usually appear at around 40, but they can also show up much earlier. 

Skincare tip: Slather SPF whenever going out. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and apply the product 30 minutes before going out. This can help prevent future spots from forming or making existing ones darker. Products with skin lightening agents such as vitamin C, kojic acid, hydroquinone, and tretinoin can help.

At Cutis, we also have a range of non-invasive treatments that can help fade sun spots and other types of pigmentation.

• VI Peel Precision Plus
• Limelight Photo Facial
• Pearl and Pearl Fractional
• PicoCare Laser
• Dermamelan Depigmentation Method

Dark circles or puffy eyes

As previously mentioned, the skin around the eyes is among the first areas to show signs of aging. Apart from crow’s feet, dark circles and puffiness can also appear early on. Lack of sleep can also contribute to and worsen their appearance. And as the skin thins more as you age, dark circles and puffy eyes can become more apparent.

Skincare tip: Eye creams or serums can help improve the appearance of under-eye bags and puffiness. Dr. Sylvia’s Elastifirm Eye Restore with Peptides and Arnica can improve blood flow and microcirculation, which can reduce the build-up of pigmented and dilated blood vessels that can lead to darkened under eye area.

For aesthetic treatments, dermal fillers are worth considering. They can help fill out hollows that cast a shadow under the eyes and are ideal if volume loss is what’s causing your dark circles. 

We also have a procedure called Plasmage®, which is a non-surgical procedure that can treat both the upper and lower eyelid skin. It removes skin through sublimation, as well as promotes collagen production and tightening of the skin fibers. It can lift and rejuvenate the skin around the eyes. 

Smile or laugh lines

While facial lines like smile lines are a normal part of aging, they can appear early on. They are mostly due to repetitive facial expressions and loss of elasticity in the skin. Many start to notice these lines in their 30s or 40s, but some people get it in their early 20s. They can become more prominent with age or if you repetitively use your facial muscles to laugh or smile.

Skincare tip: Adopting healthy habits like wearing sunscreen daily, getting enough sleep, and eating a balanced diet can help promote healthy and youthful skin. Products with vitamin C and retinol can help reduce their appearance, as well as consistently moisturizing and nourishing your skin.  

If you have noticeable or prominent laugh lines, dermal fillers can fill them out. They can reduce the appearance of lines by smoothing them out and creating a more even texture. Fillers can replenish volume loss over time, as well as add volume to the cheeks and fill both the lips and nasolabial folds. 

If you’re bothered by these signs of aging, it may be the time to elevate your routine with the right skin care products. Also, don’t hesitate to consider non-surgical aesthetic treatments if these skin changes make you self-conscious. Contact Cutis Medical Laser Clinics in Singapore today and schedule a consultation with one of our aesthetic doctors to determine which treatments are right for you.