Anti-ageing treatments: at what age should I take the plunge?

Should I apply anti-ageing treatments before I get any wrinkles? Or wait 'til the first one appears? Here's our advice on choosing the right time.

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A question of age

We all age at different speeds, especially when it comes to the appearance of wrinkles. It's advisable to start applying anti-ageing treatments during your early to mid-thirties. From the age of 25, cell production slows down, skin begins to relax and you may notice a slight loss of tone. So why not bite the bullet at 25? Because at that age we may have other issues that need taking care of: acne, oily skin or enlarged pores. We don't need to overload our skin with an army of products.

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The difference between anti-ageing and anti-wrinkle treatments

Put simply, the first is preventative and the second is corrective. An anti-ageing treatment will combat general signs of ageing - pigment spots, fine lines, wrinkles, loss of density, dullness and dryness. Anti-wrinkle treatments, on the other hand, focus on wrinkles, which are just one sign of ageing skin. They are more powerful and designed for mature skin.

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Slowly but surely

Apply anti-ageing and anti-wrinkle treatments progressively. Begin with treatments that hydrate your skin and combat sagginess or loss of tone: opt for moisturising anti-ageing products that are packed with antioxidants. Later on you can swap your usual cream for an anti-ageing formula. Over time begin to apply a global anti-ageing night cream alongside an eye contour treatment. A few years later, you can start to attack any lines with an anti-wrinkle treatment.