Happy Friday!! Beautiful People! Tervetuloa! (Welcome) We made it through another week, give yourself a pat on the back or better yet a hug! so well deserved!
"As soon as you feel too old to do a thing, do it.."-Unknown
Let's go...
Ok, we covered physical health, mood, and dental care; With today's closeout, I wanted to delve into skincare, nutrition and the important screenings women in their 40's should obtain. If new wrinkles and age spots seem to appear overnight, chalk it up to cumulative sun exposure and the waning estrogen levels which impact skin firmness, elasticity, and moisture. For black women, In this decade, we are usually just beginning to see fine lines, wrinkles, and other age-related issues like loss of volume, says Brooke Jackson, MD, associate professor of dermatology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In fair-skinned women, sun damage continues to show up as blotchiness and hyperpigmentation. And many 40-somethings contend with hormone-related problems such as acne and premenopausal dryness.
Cleanser
Use a milky or creamy cleanser morning and night. As long as it's gentle, any cleanser is fine, although if you're plagued by occasional pimples, try a face wash with salicylic acid.
Serum and Moisturizer
To repair and protect, look for a serum rich in antioxidants, like vitamin C or E, or epidermal growth factors to help stimulate collagen production, says Jackson. (If you've become particularly concerned about your eye area, give your eye cream an extra boost with a specialized serum containing the same ingredients.) Over that, layer a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB SPF 30 moisturizer.
Nighttime Treatment
It's worth it to spend a bit more on your bedtime regimen, says Jackson. Regular use of a prescription retinoid is like making a deposit in your 401(k): Retinoids boost reserves of collagen and elastin, preventing future sagging. Not only are they antiaging, but they also reduce acne, a bonus for women still suffering through breakouts.
You are what you eat, seriously
They say 40 is the new 30, thanks to healthier habits. Yet, women (like men) continue to struggle with weight and other medical concerns as they enter their 40s.
Both your nutritional needs (the food and water) and your metabolism (how fast your body converts food to energy) change at this age. Your metabolism gets slower. Women lose about half a pound of muscle per year starting around the age of 40. That makes losing weight even more difficult. Some of the changes women experience are due to decreased hormones, reduced activity level, and medical conditions. What you eat is even more important as you enter your 40s. Women need protein (meat, fish, dairy, beans, and nuts) healthy carbs such as whole grains, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, and of course water. Having these in your nutritional arsenal will aid in the prevention of certain diseases such as osteoporosis, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers.
After 40, your hormone levels (estrogen) drop. This causes your insulin (hormone that helps your body use sugar) rise. Your thyroid levels go down. This combination makes you hungrier. You end up eating more and burning fewer calories. Much of the weight gain occurs around your belly. Eat more foods with fiber (berries, whole grains, nuts) to fill you up and help you eat less. In our 40s, most women gain belly fat. Belly fat has been linked to diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, dementia, and certain cancers. If you have any of these conditions in your 40s, follow your doctor’s advice for nutrition.
By the time 40 hits, women lose muscle mass twice as fast as men. Most of the loss occurs in your core muscles, which supports your abdomen (another reason for belly fat). Crash diets (eating a very low amount of calories to lose weight fast in a short amount of time) and not using your muscles also causes muscle loss.
Monitoring & Maintenance: Health screenings
Becoming your healthiest you requires knowing what preventative health screenings you need.
Yearly Tests: See a dermatologist at least once a year; as we age, issues such as hyperpigmentation, acne, and"skin tags" can become a problem. Your dermatology should include cancer screenings; do not believe the myth, black skin is susceptible to skin cancer. Every 2 to 5 years depending on your risk factors which include family history, dense breasts, or no history of pregnancy a mammogram screening is key to ensure breast health or detecting cancer. Your eyes' ability to focus deteriorates and the potential for eye diseases increases as you age, thus the need for vision screening. I HATE gynecological visits with a passion, however, I do understand the importance of the GYN screening; tests such as the pap or HPV (human papillomavirus) detect pre-cancer or cancerous cells, HPV is the leading cause of cervical cancer. Other screenings include hearing, thyroid, cholesterol, and colonoscopy.
Optimal health, both physically and mentally are key to keeping us FABULOUS in our 40s...
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