How to Fight Premature Aging during COVID-19 and Shelter-in-Place

According to screening data from their unique database, Mental Health America, the nation’s leading community-based mental health nonprofit, saw a 19% increase in screenings for clinical anxiety in the first weeks of February 2020 and a 12% increase in the first two weeks of March. The percentages come just as the COVID-19 pandemic rapidly spread across the Bay Area, making Silicon Valley’s Santa Clara County the initial epicenter for the virus. Along with the “novel” coronavirus outbreak came the “Shelter-in-Place” ordinance mandated by California Governor Gavin Newsom on March 17, 2020 keeping millions in their homes to seek ways of maintaining connection, normalcy and to adjust to major lifestyle changes.

In an era where stress, anxiety and fear have run rampant across many individuals — society is becoming more conscious of what clinical experts are calling “pandemic related aging.” The pandemic has affected everything from shifts in pop culture, media and economics to premature aging as people seek remedies to combat the physical changes in their face and bodies while their skincare and beauty professionals are under a ‘stay-at-home’ situation.

At home and away from his clinic in Los Altos, renowned Master Clinical Esthetician, Richard Haxton provides some light on what individuals can do to fight premature-aging while being indoors. “The year 2020 is changing life as we know it,” states Haxton, “There are new forms of aging as more people are becoming complacent while staying at home. Blue-Light Emissions from our increased use of technology to stay in touch, and stress levels are at a peak due to a multitude of reasons that affect each person separately.”
The Blue-Light Emissions that Haxton refers to are the blue light wavelengths that emit from the screens of electronic devices such as smartphones, televisions, laptops/PCs and tablets. COVID-19 has caused a cultural shift to a concentrated use of electronics as the norm for basic connection to the “outside world.” The dangers of blue light might seem trivial, but the reality is that they stimulate the production of free radicals in skin, which can accelerate the appearance of aging, contributing to photo-aging, wrinkles, a worsening skin laxity, and hyperpigmentation.

Haxton, who owns Richard Haxton’s Transformational Skin Solutions of Los Altos (http://www.SkinByHaxton.com), has been highly sought after for over 20 years for his ability to reverse the appearance of aging through non-surgical methods.
According to Haxton, when the body is under stress, it creates a domino effect across our physiological and psychological states which manifests itself in our appearance, overall health and demure.It starts with a rise in our cortisol levels (the body’s major stress hormone) and an increase in our heart-rate, producing more adrenaline (which triggers our primal ‘fight or flight’ response).

Additionally, these hormones cause our breath to become shallow which decreases both blood flow and oxygen to our bloodstream and causes organs to be unable to receive full circulation of what should be oxygen-rich blood.Haxton continues, “These events occurring within the body can create serious long term trauma and our skin reacts to it. The culprits are the stress hormones that stifle oxygen in our bloodstream and deplete our collagen and elasticity in the thinnest external membrane — our facial tissue.”
Stress also causes our vitamins, nutrients and body moisture to be leached away causing dehydration and depleting more of our body’s water absorption. Our bodies are 70% water and our skin receives the last of any water we drink to hydrate.

“All of these factors lead to sagging, haggard-looking skin and it completely dims the vibrancy of our skin’s appearance,” says Haxton. The Mayo Clinic reported that the COVID-19 pandemic potentially could (if it hasn’t already) lead to a spike in depression, anxiety and feelings of being overwhelmed. These troubling psychological mindsets play a huge role in premature aging resulting in worn, lackluster skin, increased wrinkles and darkened circles and bags under the eyes.

“When people get into a deep depression or are under constant stress, they can look like they’ve aged years in just a matter of months. I’ve seen this with clients who come to me after the loss of a loved one or a dramatic change in their professional life,” Haxton shares.

Haxton knows how to fight back against aging as both he and his clients are usually perceived a decade (or more) younger than their biological age through his proprietary holistic treatments. His rejuvenation process is one that consists of a home system that is highly active in antioxidants, vitamins and peptides to repair and renew skin tissue on a platform outside of his clinical treatments.

Consistently, the main areas that are inquired about and how to repair them are the face, neck and eyes.“A cosmeceutical is something more than a cosmetic, but less than a prescription. A cosmetic that is sold over the counter usually has less than 1% of active ingredients, which means that you could potentially be creating complicated routines and spending twice as much money. Typically cosmeceuticals are supplied by your skincare professional, medical-spa, dermatologist — with a few legitimate brands sold online. Haxton recommends cosmeceuticals because their active ingredients are 80% more effective when applied topically and are amplified when coupled with a diet that is rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. There are about 10 key active ingredients that one should take note of when searching for a topical cosmeceutical: an Ascorbic Acid (also known as Vitamin C Ester) that is at least 20% active, DMAE, CoEnzyme-Q10, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Grape Seed Extract, Alpha-Hydroxy acid, Peptides and Botanical Extractions, and Hyaluronate Acid. Together, these essential ingredients will start to diminish the appearance of fine lines and crow’s feet while firming and smoothing the skin.

Additionally, they reduce the appearance of pores so that the skin will be in a state of better health, looking more light reflective and leading to a luminous youthful complexion.
Some of the ingredients will showcase an immediate improvement (such as tightening, lifting and firming) from the first application while other results (such as cell rejuvenation and renewal) will come with consistent use.

“At a time when some things seem like they may be out of our control, aging is one thing that doesn’t have to be.” says Haxton, “As we get through this together we will come out the other side putting a bright face forward for a bright future”