We often think of ageing as a gradual process of decline, but actually, science has proven otherwise. A study conducted by Stanford University has turned this belief on its head by proving that rapid declines occur at two specific ages: 44 and 60.

This article explains the study’s findings, implications for your skin, and the steps you can take to mitigate these effects.

Opulent Aesthetics believes that prevention is better than cure, and that taking care of your skin and wider health early on will ensure that you stay ahead in your anti-ageing battle. Our revolutionary treatments, available in Caterham and Purley, equip your skin with everything it needs to look and feel its best.

The study

The study lasted for 1.7 years, tracking 108 adults aged between 25-75. Researchers collected blood, stool (poo), oral and nasal swabs, and skin samples every few months, analysing over 135,000 molecular and microbial markers, providing approximately 250 billion data points for analysis. This was quite possibly the most comprehensive study of its kind.

What the researchers discovered was astounding. They found that in 81% of cases the shifts in ageing were nonlinear, mostly clustering in two bursts of sudden change; one in the mid-40’s (most around 44), and the other in the early 60’s. 

Changes at age 44

The changes were universal between men and women, and consisted of the following:

• Lipid metabolism – There were notable increases in Low Density Lipids (LDL, bad cholesterol), Very Low Density Cholesterol (VLDL), and triglycerides. At the same time, High Density Lipids (HDL, good cholesterol) decreased, tipping the imbalance further.  It showed that the body’s ability to transport and process fats becomes disregulated, all of which lead to weight gain and poorer cardiovascular health.
  
  
• Alcohol and caffeine processing – Researchers noticed that the body’s ability to metabolise these substances decreased, making the effects more pronounced. Both alcohol and caffeine impact your body’s ability to sleep and regenerate, so too much of either will lead to poor health outcomes. Sleep quality naturally declines with age, so it is important to safeguard it as best you can.
  
  
• Cardiovascular health – The study witnessed a sharp burst in molecules associated with poor cardiovascular health, indicating an increased risk of cardiac related disease. There was also a decline in the integrity of blood vessels and their lining, cholesterol and lipid pathways, and increased inflammation. This, compounded with decades of studies highlighting the decline in Heart Rate Variance (HRV) around age 40, underscores the importance of taking care of your cardiovascular health.
  
  
• Skin and muscle integrity – Researchers tested skin microbiome and proteomic profilingthrough regular swabbing of patients’ skin and they identified abrupt shifts in the proteins that form the extracellular matrix (ECM). These changes affect the skin’s collagen and elastin maintenance. These molecular changes indicate a weakness in the skin’s structural scaffolding, leading to fine lines and wrinkles forming around the face, and general muscle decline.

The power of prevention

While sudden declines based on molecular shifts are inevitable, you have a choice on the condition of your health and skin at the point of decline. Having high-quality health leading up to age 44 will ensure that any decline is less pronounced. That is to say, if your skin quality declines by 20% (example, not literal), then having a quality score of 10 on any marker, will place you at a quality score of 8 after the decline. But, a quality score of 7 will see your score fall to 5.6. Of course, having a quality score of 8 is preferable to 5.6, highlighting the importance of self-care.

This example is, of course, explained for illustrative purposes, but the principle is sound.

The good news is that early-intervention supports prevention, and there are steps you can take to ensure that you have the highest quality health markers, including your skin, before you reach those critical ages.

Here is Opulent Aesthetic’s simple guide for your health and skin:

• Eat a balanced diet complete with high-quality proteins, and fibrous fruits, and vegetables.
  
  
• Maintain optimum hydration at all times.
  
  
• Invest in high-quality sleep, and never compromise on that.
  
  
• Engage in moderate to intense exercise at least 3 times a week.
  
  
• Manage stress levels with meditation, yoga, and other mindful practices
  
  
• Employ a solid daily skincare routine and engage in professional skincare treatments

• Wear sunscreen daily (minimum 30+ SPV)
  
  
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Must read: Prevention Before Cure With Polynucleotides

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Skincare interventions

Loss of collagen and elastin integrity is the primary reason your skin quality declines.

Collagen and elastin production naturally slows with age, but we now understand that a critical shift happens around age 44. This underscores the importance of engaging with professional treatments that enhance collagen and elastin production.

Fortunately, beauty science has developed treatments proven to boost collagen production, giving you an edge before you reach that critical age.

Opulent Aesthetics’ offers several  professional treatments that turbocharge your collagen production. They include:

• Microneedling with exosomes – Considered one of the most basic, but underestimated treatments, microneedling triggers your body’s wound healing response, leading to a boost in collagen production and enhanced skin structure.
  
  This effect is compounded when exosomes are applied with the treatment. Exosomes are cellular messengers, naturally occurring in your skin, instructing it to produce more collagen. They are applied topically immediately after microneedling, allowing them to penetrate deeper, making them more effective.
  
  Exosome production naturally declines with age, so this tag-team duo is a powerful treatment that not only prevents fine lines and wrinkles, but can also fade out existing ones.
  
  
• Skin booster injections – Collagen and elastin production requires resources like hyaluronic and amino acids. They are like the building blocks for your skin’s structure. Without them, you simply can’t regenerate new skin. Skin boosters ensure your skin has all the resources it needs in an abundance, promoting fresh collagen production.
  
  They help improve the quality of your skin naturally over time, tightening it and reducing fine lines and wrinkles. Skin boosters are a powerful ally in the fight against ageing.
  
  
• Polynucleotide injections – Polynucleotides are a beauty science marvel. They are bio-stimulators derived from DNA fragments that stimulate fibroblast cells responsible for generating elastin and collagen. They tighten and firm the skin, reducing fine lines and wrinkles, and also help with scarring from acne or stretch marks.

Combining these professional treatments on rotation, along with Opulent Aesthetics’ other facial treatments, will increase the quality of your skin, giving you a better starting point to meet the sudden shift in skin quality at age 44.

Changes at age 60

The study identified changes that were similar to those identified at age 44. They consisted of the following:

• Changes to immune regulation and inflammation – Molecules involved in immune regulation declined, making patients more susceptible to illness.
  
  
• Carbohydrate and caffeine regulation – Noticeable changes occurred in carbohydrate metabolism, insulin and glucose processing, and further changes in caffeine handling, signaling altered energy metabolism in the early 60s.
  
  
• Kidney function and cardiovascular function – blood urea and nitrogen levels shifted significantly as did signalling for cardiovascular health, indicating greater risk of illness in the decade ahead.
  
  
• Rapid decline in skin quality – Patients’ skin thinned considerably and showed a considerably weaker shift in ability to regenerate collagen, elastin, and new skin. Dermal support weakened, causing skin to sag, forming deeper lines and wrinkles.

Protecting your skin at age 60

At age 60 the effects of ageing, particularly those caused by sun damage, are accumulative. It is, therefore, very important, to take extra care during this phase of your life. Wearing a high-factor sunscreen (50+) everyday is a must, as is maintaining optimum hydration.

Continuing the aforementioned treatments will help, but with deeper lines and sagging skin, stronger treatments might be necessary. Opulent Aesthetics provides anti-wrinkle treatments that relax the facial muscles and smooth out visible wrinkles.

Anti-wrinkle treatments have several decades of successful safety and efficacy reports, so you can feel assured that they will be effective without the need for invasive cosmetic surgery.

Final thoughts

It can be quite scary to know that a sudden decline ensues at age 44. Equally, knowing that fact gives you the opportunity and the motivation to guard against those changes.

Ageing befalls us all, and there is no escaping that fact. But, it won’t affect us all in the same way, in part because of genetics, but mainly because some people take better care of their skin than others. Having good genetics won’t stop the clock, but taking care of your skin will certainly slow it down. 

As it stands, no one can choose their genetics (nature), but everyone can take steps to enhance their skin quality (nurture). By taking the lead today, you will ensure that your skin will remain as youthful as it can for as long as possible.

Opulent Aesthetics prides itself on delivering high-quality professional treatments with the belief that intervention leads to prevention, keeping you feeling and looking beautiful.

Book a consultation with Sadie today, and find out more about tailoring a treatment cycle based on the individual needs of your skin. We have studios in Caterham and Purley, making it easy to access our professional treatments.