Prejuvenation 101: Can You Stop the Signs of Skin Aging Before They Start?

Have you heard of prejuvenation? Allow us to explain this growing trend aimed at slowing down the signs of skin aging before they start. 

Turns out those selfies are making many of us increasingly aware of fine lines and wrinkles—specifically, that we have them while our favorite celebs seem to be crinkle-free. Coined prejuvenation, the idea is to use in-office treatments as a way to ward off the signs of skin aging, before they start. But how effective is this plan of action, really? We tapped Skincare.com consultant and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali to find out if he thinks prejuvenation is more fact or fiction—and share ways you can use this anti-aging concept to inspire change in your skin care routine, below.

First things first, the expert’s take: “While I originally had my doubts early in my medical career, the best analogy I was ever told is this: If you give someone a piece of paper after folding it, there is nothing that can be done to completely remove that line. Even if you stack 100 textbooks on top or have an elephant stand on it for a while, you’ll always note the faint outline of where the paper was folded,” says Bhanusali, confirming that there is an element of validity to this concept. But, surely, this isn’t the only way to ward off the signs of premature skin aging.

At Skincare.com, we like to think of prejuvenation as a way to inspire change in our skin care routines, incorporating certain anti-aging products earlier on in hopes that they will help to keep wrinkles, fines lines, and dark spots away just a little bit longer. Interested? Here are our favorite ways to help you “prejuvenate” your skin!

Sure, we harp on the importance of SPF a lot at Skincare.com…but because it’s that amazing. Broad-spectrum SPF (of 30 or more) worn every day and reapplied as directed is the only way to prevent the signs of premature skin aging. UV rays can do a number on your skin, from wrinkles and fine lines to discoloration and dark spots to serious effects like skin cancer. Best of all, you can start to prejuvenate with sunscreen as a child…how’s that for starting early? 

If you give someone a piece of paper after folding it, there is nothing that can be done to completely remove that line. Even if you stack 100 textbooks on top or have an elephant stand on it for a while, you’ll always note the faint outline of where the paper was folded.

“Environmental factors—like smoking and the sun—cause free oxygen radicals,” says Skincare.com consultant and board-certified dermatologist Dr. Lisa Ginn, who explains that these free radicals can attach and bind to the skin’s surface, causing it to lose firmness and bounce. Your best line of defense against the skin aging effects of pollution? Layering a product formulated with antioxidants under your SPF each day. “Antioxidants provide a substitution mate when you put them on the skin,” she says. Starting this SPF + antioxidant combination early is a great way to help you ward off the wrinkles and fine lines that may prematurely pop up.

Premature signs of aging can be even more intense if you aren’t properly caring for your skin each day with a strict skin care routine. Cleanse your skin thoroughly every day and always follow up with moisturizer. When skin is dehydrated it can appear to show more prominent fine lines. Using a moisturizer formulated for your skin type can help to keep your skin looking and feeling plump and supple—we recommend reaching for formulas with hyaluronic acid.