Is 60 the new 40? In many ways, yes. Your sixth decade can definitely be a time of vitality. I have numerous patients in my Boston area practice who lead healthy, active lives, engaged with their careers, family and friends well into their 60’s and beyond. However, it is the decade when you are going to notice more changes in your skin and tissues. The most common shifts are increased skin laxity and increased dryness, possibly to the point of skin irritation.
You may also find that when you look in the mirror, your skin has lost that robust “glow”. Sadly, our skin thins as we age. Unable to hold on to as much water as they once did, your tissues lose their youthful plumpness. There are things that can be done to counteract these issues, but it is important to have realistic expectations. This is a decade that’s all about subtle tweaks, such as erasing some of the sins of your youth like sun damage, in order to restore a natural, age-appropriate look.
Skin Care in Your 60’s
Skincare is one of your most powerful rejuvenation tools. Not only is it a form of self-care, but it is one of the easiest ways to combat dryness. If you haven’t already done so, make an appointment with a board-certified plastic surgeon or dermatologist to have your skin assessed. As with anything aesthetic, there is no one size fits all. But there are a few basics.
Find a hydrating moisturizer with a consistency that works for you. Some of my patients like something lightweight while others like the feel of a heavier cream. Face oil may even be a nice addition to “touch up” your hydration levels during the day. And don’t forget to drink enough water. Keeping your tissues properly nourished is an inside/outside job. In terms of specific products that I commonly recommend to my 60-something patients, the following may be helpful:
- SkinMedica® TNS Recovery
- Skin Better Science® Alto Defense Serum
The former contains growth factors and a peptide complex while the latter is an excellent Vitamin C product. Both can be extremely beneficial for giving your skin more resiliency and improving skin texture.
Improving Skin Texture is More Important than You Think
Skin texture is something that most of us take for granted until it heads south. The good news is that there are a myriad of effective treatment options for restoring a younger appearance to your skin. Again, in your 60’s, you are not going to get the skin of your 20’s. But diminishing the appearance of:
- Sunspots
- Hyperpigmentation
- Redness
- “Crepey”, uneven skin texture
This will help to restore a smooth look to your skin which the human eye perceives as being more youthful. I will generally recommend a laser procedure with:
- Intense Pulse Light (IPL)
- Non-ablative lasers such at the 1540nm laser
- Ablative lasers such as Erbium and CO2
The right choice for you is always going to depend on your individual anatomy, desired outcome and tolerance for downtime. I may also recommend a chemical peel. Like an ablative laser treatment, it can produce a more “wow” result, but it will also take some time for your skin to heal. Everything is a trade-off. I am always upfront during your initial consultation about what to expect in terms of recovery so that you can make the informed decision that is right for you.
Best Aesthetic Procedures in Your 60’s in Boston
Surgical procedures are definitely still an option into your 60’s and beyond. However, you want to see a surgeon with a lot of experience as thinner skin can affect your surgical outcome. The most common aesthetic surgical procedures that are performed on my 60-something female patients include:
- Facelift
- Blepharoplasty
- Neck Lift
- Breast implant exchange
- Breast lift
- Tummy Tuck
- Liposuction
For my 60-something male patients, the most popular surgical procedures include:
- Gynecomastia
- Facelift
- Neck lift
- Blepharoplasty
- Liposuction
- Tummy tuck
At the end of the day, it is important for how you look on the outside and how you feel on the inside to be in sync. My job is to help you attain this balance in a natural-looking way.
To find out more about skincare, lasers, breast surgery, liposuction, gynecomastia, tummy tuck, or any other surgical or non-surgical procedure with Dr. Sean Doherty at his Boston or Brookline office, contact us today or call (617) 450-0070 to schedule a consultation.