Retaining the blush of youth well into your 60's used to be a fantasy, but with the strategic application of skin science and a healthy dose of common sense, yesterday's fantasy can become your reality. If you understand the mechanism of aging you can devise a strategy to stave off the onset of sagging, crepey or wrinkled skin far beyond previous expectations with some simple beauty skin care tips.

Skin is comprised of 26 independent microscopically thin layers of tissue. This complex structure is resistant to lining and wrinkling and the substrata compensates for the repeated tissue folding impressed by repeated facial expression. However, when the line finally catches your eye in the morning mirror, it is several layers deep and must be considered permanent.

While the best strategy is to prevent the wrinkles from occurring in the first place, many products and treatments for wrinkle correction are available:

A good homecare routine: Morning and evening cleansing and moisturizing are the grassroots approach to achieving and maintaining wrinkle-free skin. Physician-grade and many natural or "green" products offer high-density effective ingredients with little or no fillers, which are commonly found in over-the-counter and department store products.
An effective cleanser is matched to your specific skin type and cleans the skin without stripping it of vital oils and moisture.

Serums and moisturizers "feed" the skin with nutrients to aid in moisture retention as well as collagen and elastin production, which decrease with aging.

A healthy diet and adequate water consumption are vital to maintaining clear, healthy skin. Antioxidants, which are found in fruits and vegetables, provide cellular protection to minimize the effects of aging. Water helps the body keep the skin plump and flushes toxins from the system.

Sleep allows the body to rest and recover from daily stress. This is the most efficient time for your body to distribute nutrients to the tissues, encouraging regeneration and making you look "well rested" in the morning.

Professional care: Putting yourself in the hands of a qualified esthetician helps to define your skincare regime, identify the best products for your skin type and allows for periodic maintenance beyond what you can achieve on your own.

Estheticians are certified in the use and application of moderately aggressive acid peels, microdermabrasion and dermabrasion to remove accumulated dead skin cells, eventually improving the overall texture of the skin.

Most can also offer ultrasound, galvanic or other deep hydration therapy to push nutrients deep into the tissue. This helps to minimize the appearance of existing lines and wrinkles by balancing the skin's structure and restoring a healthy balance of fluids and nutrients.

Home Galvanic units: Affordable quality units are available for less than $300, but the investment will provide years of treatments.

Galvanics operate on an electrical impulse that, when combined with appropriate treatment gels and serums, extracts accumulated bacteria and impurities and drives nutrients deep into tissue.

An added benefit of galvanic treatment is the stimulation of underlying muscle tissue. The rejuvenating effect minimizes the appearance of lines and wrinkles, firms sagging skin and imparts the healthy glow of well hydrated skin.

Laser treatments: Ranging from red or blue light therapy to Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), gentle laser treatments for the improvement of the appearance and condition of skin have become commonplace.

The medical esthetics industry employs lasers to correct pigmentation, minimize the appearance of capillaries, calm and heal acne and improve overall skin condition and collagen production.

Laser resurfacing removes the uppermost layers of skin, paving the way for a virtually wrinkle-free countenance. Resurfacing requires several weeks of healing.

Look to family for an idea of the conditions to which you are predisposed. Use this knowledge to establish a beauty care skin regime retains muscle tone and cultivates healthy skin. Just as you incorporate good personal habits and a workout regime to maintain a healthy body, a balanced diet, ample sleep and routine maintenance will preserve the blush of youth for years to come.