When Your Skin Looks Healthier, It Is Healthier.
Skin is one of our most visible and expressive organs—and its condition becomes harder to conceal as we age. At Live Young Medical, we created this guide to help cut through the noise of trending products and confusing messages. Our goal is to provide you with a trusted resource that helps you better understand your skin and how to care for it. Below is an explanation of:
The factors at play in skin aging and unhealthy skin
What you can do at home to both protect your skin and to prevent and treat age and harmful influences.
We carry a wide range of sunscreens and skincare products in-clinic. The added advantage of purchasing through us? Personalized guidance matched to your individual skin needs and personal goals.
What Happens to Skin After Age 30?
This section may feel a little “sciencey”—but understanding why your skin changes can make it easier to commit to meaningful care.
With aging, sun exposure, pollutants, and internal factors like hormones, your skin undergoes:
- Decreased collagen synthesis
- Abnormal elastin build up → crepiness and laxity
- Flattened epidermal contours → dull appearance
- Accumulation of senescent (“zombie”) cells—especially fibroblasts, which produce collagen and elastin
- DNA damage → increased risk of skin cancer
- Chronic inflammation
- Uneven or excessive melanin (pigment)
Zombie cells aren’t just idle—they actively promote collagen breakdown, block new collagen production, and secrete inflammatory compounds. This accelerates DNA damage, stem cell loss, and other cellular aging processes. These changes become self-perpetuating: wrinkles cause more wrinkles, damage begets damage. The longer zombie cells remain, the more they degrade surrounding skin structure, increase inflammation, and inhibit healing.
Estrogen’s Role in Skin Aging
Estrogen plays a major role in women’s skin health. Estrogen receptors are found throughout the skin, and with its decline—particularly post-menopause—these changes occur:
• Reduced sweat and oil gland function → dry skin
• Decline in collagen → thinner, more wrinkled skin
• Loss of facial fat pads → hollowing and sagging
• Bone loss → changes to facial shape and feminine contours
• Hair follicle →Thinning, greying hair, fine white hair face
• Slower wound healing
• Increased skin inflammation—estrogen is a potent anti-inflammatory
In the first 5 years after menopause, women lose about 30% of skin collagen, followed by an additional 2% per year.
Starting around age 35, women also lose about 1 teaspoon (5 mL) of facial fat annually.
At-Home Skin Support: Protection and Treatment
Sun Protection: Sunscreen
Sunscreen is foundational—and it’s often misunderstood. Here are some common questions we hear:
“Why do I burn even when I apply sunscreen?”
Most people apply only 20–50% of the recommended amount. That means:
• SPF 100 at 50% = SPF 10
• SPF 15 at 25% = SPF <2
Best practices:
- Apply 2 tbsp (15 mL) for the body, 1 tsp (5 mL) for face and neck
- Choose SPF 30+ with “broad-spectrum” and water resistance
- Broad-spectrum protects against UVA, skin aging and UVB, burns. Both UVA and UVB contribute to risk for skin cancer.
- Reapply every 2 hours in the sun—or more often if sweating or swimming
Types:
- Chemical (absorbs UV): e.g., avobenzone, octocrylene, Mexoryl
- Physical/mineral (blocks UV): e.g., zinc oxide, titanium dioxide
Dr. Sweeney’s note:
Look for “reef-safe” formulas free from oxybenzone, octocrylene, octinoxate, PABA, microplastics and other ingredients which are harmful to reefs and other marine life. Small and micro particle size zinc and titanium are fine; nano is not. If possible, use water- resistant screens- less will wash off in the ocean.
“I don’t burn and like to tan—why wear sunscreen?”
UVA (which causes aging) and blue light still reach your skin—even through glass. This accelerates:
• Zombie cell accumulation
• Collagen loss
• Elastin damage
• Excess pigment formation
