When asked what they would most like to change about their looks, most women over the age of 35 said, "To look ten years younger". Most younger women also wanted to be able to stall time and retain the same youthful glow into their thirties, forties and beyond. Not surprisingly, therefore, any product that has anti aging in its advertising spiel and claims to be effective in the battle against time is big business.

Despite the over-zealous claims of some cosmetic companies, anti aging creams and skin care products alone will not remove wrinkles, but can improve the appearance of the skin. Only invasive and surgical procedures can have such a dramatic effect and of course these are not without risks.

The best anti aging strategy to adopt is one of prevention and maintenance, rather than cure.

What Causes The Skin to Age?

There are many factors that contribute towards the aging process, but the speed with which our skin ages depends largely on the following factors:

" Sun exposure or the regular use of sun beds
" Smoking
" Hereditary factors
" Stress
" Hormones
" Diet

Sun Exposure

Sun exposure is the greatest cause of prematurely aged skin. The sun causes 90% of the symptoms of skin aging and, frighteningly, most of the adverse effects occur by the age of 20, although they may not be evident until years later.

It has been known for decades that UV wavelengths from the sun damage the skin and puts us as risk of skin cancer, yet every summer it seems as though many of us are still in pursuit of the perfect tan. When we have a tan, people generally tell us that we look healthy, but a suntan is a sign that the skin has been damaged. UV radiation causes the short-term damage that we see when we are sunburnt, but there is the long-term damage that accumulates through continuous sun exposure over the years. Not only does this damage cause premature wrinkling of the skin, but it can also lead to potentially life-threatening skin cancers such as basal cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma.

There is no known "safe" amount of sun and the only safe tan is a fake tan. Even the majority of sunscreens do not protect the skin from damage and aging. Most sunscreens offer UVB protection and help to prevent sunburn, but offer little or no protection against UVA, which is responsible for long-term damage. You only need to compare the skin on the face of an elderly Mexican native to that of an elderly person in a cool climate who has had less exposure to the sun to see the damage it causes.

Smoking

Cigarette smoke and tar deprive the skin of the nutrients and oxygen it needs and generates harmful free radicals, which weaken the collagen and elastin fibers, causing premature wrinkles and dull, lifeless skin.

Hereditary Factors

If you want an idea as to how your skin will age, look at your parents. Whilst there is much that can be done to improve and maintain the condition of your skin, hereditary factors play a role in your skin type and the way in which it ages. Although there is no aging gene as such, if you inherited blonde or red hair and very fair skin from your parents, for example, your skin will be more susceptible to external influences, such as sun damage and pollution.

Stress

As with the sun, smoking and poor diet, stress causes a cellular chain reaction in which free radicals are generated. These free radicals, also known as "unpaired hydrogen ions", damage the skin cell membranes and cause collagen breakdown. The unfortunate result is saggy skin and wrinkles. Stress also causes weakness in the adrenal glands, which can lead to irritating and unsightly skin conditions such as eczema.

Hormones

Hormones play an important role in maintaining youthful skin and decreased hormone production is a skin-aging factor in women approaching the menopause and after. Decreasing estrogen levels contribute to a breakdown of collagen and reduced blood vessel supply to the skin. However, hormone replacement therapy can increase skin thickness and elasticity and helps to restore blood flow and moisture to the skin.

Diet

The health of our skin is often dictated by what we put into our bodies and not just what we put on our outer layer. The good news is that foods containing antioxidants such as selenium and Vitamins C and E can reduce or even prevent the cellular damage caused by free radicals, helping us to retain youthful-looking skin.

It is as important to know what foods to avoid as it is to know what you should eat to maintain healthy skin. Alcohol, caffeine and soda drinks, for example, dehydrate the skin.

Anti Aging Vitamins and Supplements

There are many people who believe that they are obtaining enough vitamins from their daily diet, but in fact the majority of us are lacking in some essential element. Even if we eat a diet based on raw, natural foods, the vitamin content may not be as high as we believe if, for example, the food has been displayed in the light on store shelves for more than a few hours. Light destroys the Vitamin C content of fresh fruit and vegetables, so by the time we get to consume it, there may be little nutritional value left. Furthermore, a lack of one vitamin can prevent the proper absorption of another. Adequate Vitamin C is needed in order for iron to be absorbed. Iron also helps to convert beta-carotene to Vitamin A.

Many of the processed foods that we eat contain additional ingredients such as preservatives, colorings, insecticides, herbicides, fungicides and chemical residues absorbed from cleaning and packaging and cleaning processes. These can all increase our need for vitamins in order to counteract the adverse effects, particularly since these processes can destroy most of the nutrients before they reach our dinner plates.

Vitamin and mineral supplements are therefore essential for the upkeep of healthy skin.

The following vitamins help to maintain healthy skin and prevent premature aging:

Vitamin A: Helps to retain the skin's elasticity and prevents dryness, wrinkling and premature aging.

B-Complex: Maintains healthy skin, eyes, hair and muscle tone.

Vitamin B-2: Helps transport oxygen around the body and protects the skin, eyes and mucous membranes. Symptoms of deficiency include lining and wrinkling of the lips, oily skin on the nose and chin, white heads and cracks at the corners of the mouth and eyelids.

Vitamin B-3: Boosts the circulation ensuring an adequate supply of oxygen and nutrients to the skin. Deficiency can result in dermatitis, redness, dryness and scaling of the skin.

Vitamin B-5: Protects against dermatitis and helps to reduce stress.

Vitamin B-6: Helps maintain a sodium / potassium balance, regulating the body fluids and promoting the normal functioning of the skin and nerves. Deficiency can result in dry, scaly or oily skin and skin rashes.

Vitamin B-9: Anemia can result from a Vitamin B-9 definition, the consequence of which is reduced nutrition to the skin, blemishes and unsightly patches of pigmentation.

Vitamin B-12: Required for healthy skin and cells.

Vitamin C: Helps in the formation of collagen and elastin, which are essential for firm, well-toned skin. Aids in the healing of wounds and protects against bruising and scurvy. Deficiency results in collagen deterioration, with resulting wrinkles, flabbiness, skin discoloration and other signs of aging. Vitamin C deficiency can result from an over consumption of meat and salt and from under consumption of fresh fruit and vegetables.

Vitamin E: Slows the aging of cells and helps to keep the skin healthy and youthful.

Vitamin F: Helps to maintain resilience and lubrication to the skin. A deficiency can result in can result in acne, eczema and varicose veins.

Iron: Aids in the transportation of oxygen in the blood, which is needed for healthy skin.

Magnesium: As with iron, magnesium helps in the absorption and metabolism of other vitamins and minerals and is required for healthy skin

Potassium: Helps to regular fluid balance and is needed to keep the skin healthy

Selenium: A powerful antioxidant that helps to maintain skin elasticity.

Zinc: Essential for healing of the skin.

Kelp: Protects against environmental toxins and promotes beautiful skin.

Exercise

A sensible exercise program boosts the circulation, which has a rejuvenating effect on the skin. Sweating triggers the production of sebum, which naturally moisturizes the skin.

Non-Surgical Anti Aging Procedures

" "Fillers" such as Restylane or Collagen: These products are completely safe since they are identical to natural substances in the body. Restylane or collagen is used to fill out lines on your face, such as the forehead, around the eyes and mouth and indentations in the chin. The result will be smoother, more youthful looking skin

" Botox®: Botox® is a purified protein produced by the Clostridium botulinum bacterium. The injection of this protein into specific areas on the face paralyzes the muscles that cause wrinkles to form through continual frowning, raising of eyebrows, laughing and other facial expressions. Results last up to six months, after which repeat injections will be required to maintain the effect

" Chemical Peel: A chemical solution is used to literally peel away the skin's top layers. It helps to restore wrinkled, blemished, unevenly pigmented or sun-damaged skin and is most suited to those with fair, thin skin and superficial wrinkles. Ideal for fine wrinkles around the mouth and on the face, although it takes about a week for the skin to recover because the effect is similar to sunburn and causes the skin to peel

" Microdermabrasion: Microdermabrasion uses a sanding device to blast off the top layers of the skin. This procedure softens acne scars and fine wrinkles, particularly around the mouth. The results last until new wrinkles appear. It can take a couple of weeks post-treatment before the redness disappears.

" Laser resurfacing: Laser resurfacing smoothes the face by using a carbon dioxide laser to remove areas of damaged or wrinkled skin, layer by layer. In addition to softening lines around the eyes and mouth, it is also effective in treating facial scars and unevenly pigmented areas. The results last until new wrinkles form

" Dental Prosthetic: Over time the gums recede, which can lead to wrinkles around the mouth and cheeks. The Angel Lift(TM) device is a non-invasive, custom fit, removable dental prosthetic that displaces the facial skin, thereby tightening the skin and removing wrinkles without surgery. Without surgery, shots, bruising or lengthy healing time, the dental patient will achieve instant and permanent face lifting effects. http://www.angellift.com

Recommended Anti Aging Skin Care Products

Advanced Night Repair Protective Recovery Complex and Advanced Night Repair Eye Recovery Complex: Described by Estée Lauder as being "insurance" for younger, healthier-looking skin, today and tomorrow.

Nina Ricci Time Defense Night Cream: Helps to replenish skin tissue with elastin and collagen and eliminate the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

Clarins Extra-Firming Night Cream for Very Dry Skin: Highly effective natural ingredients ensure a complete night time treatment for dry, devitalized skin after the age of 40.

Neal's Yard Remedies Frankincense Nourishing Cream: Age-defying cream containing pure essential oils of frankincense and myrrh renowned for their rejuvenating and revitalizing properties.

Retinoic Acid or Tretinoin: This Vitamin A derivative was originally used to treat acne, but it has since been proven as an effective anti aging treatment. It has been shown to increase new skin cell and blood vessel production in the dermis. After about six months of use, the skin becomes smoother and brighter and fine lines become shallower.

RoC Retinol Anti Wrinkle Treatment: Visibly improves the appearance of fine lines in 4 weeks, wrinkles in 12 weeks and also improves mottled pigmentation, skin texture, skin tone and hydration levels.