Feeling your best at any age, 30s

FEELING YOUR BEST...AT ANY AGE Thirties

by Dr. Diane Gibby • M.D., P.A., F.A.C.S

By the time a woman enters her thirties she usually has become committed to numerous responsibilities. Whether for family or career, 30-something women are often rushing from dawn to midnight meeting others people's needs. But just as a career and family need special attention, so does a woman's skin and body. In this article we will discuss various ways for a woman to look her best during this busy time in her life. SKIN/FACE: Years of sun exposure and facial movement become visibly apparent during the thirties. As a woman ages, the collagen network that supports her skin can weaken and cause facial lines to form. Collagen gives skin strength and suppleness as well as an inherent ability to retain moisture, so as skin matures it may also become dryer. Using moisturizing skin care products that contain exfoliating glycolic acids can help keep the skin looking fresh and decrease the appearance of fine lines. Retin-A is also useful in working to eliminate fine wrinkles, sun damage and age spots by continually sloughing off the outermost, dead layer of skin. Retin-A can be even more effective when used in combination with other treatments, such as glycolic acid or bleaching cream. The downside of these products is that an area of skin previously sheltered from the elements is exposed. That's why a common side effect of Retin-A use is dry, sun-sensitive skin.. Though both of these side effects typically diminish with time, sunscreen (SPF 15 or greater) is a must once you start using Retin-A. Some women find that Renova, which is Retin-A mixed with an emollient cream, is less irritating. Botox is another treatment that works well for expression lines and wrinkles around the eyes and forehead. Botox, the trade name for Botulinum Toxin Type A, has been used by physicians for years to treat lazy eye and uncontrolled blinking. Botox works by weakening the muscles that control the facial expressions. Once the resting tone of these muscles are weakened, the pull of the muscles relax and the skin flattens out diminishing wrinkles. However, the results are not permanent and over the next three to five months the Botox gradually looses its potency, eventually restoring the muscle to its original condition. When this occurs another dose of Botox is administered to maintain the desired result. BREASTS: Breast size is a very personal issue for women of any age. While women shouldn't let their breast size define them, studies have shown it can make a difference in how they perceive themselves and can directly affect their self-esteem. Many women in their thirties are experiencing the joys of pregnancy and breast feeding for the first time. After childbirth and/or breastfeeding a woman is often left with a loose "skin envelope," and often smaller breasts. Some women choose a breast augmentation to enhance the size and shape of their breast after pregnancy. This procedure is also an option for women who want to balance a difference in breast size or to have their breasts more proportionate to the rest of their body. BODY CONTOURS: Though time is often a precious commodity for a woman in her thirties, maintaining a healthy diet and consistent exercise routine are important for her general health and physical appearance. But sometimes even diligent dieting and exercise cannot get rid of localized deposits of fat, especially in the hips, thighs and abdomen. Liposuction is a surgical procedure that is designed to remove these fat pads from various sites on the body. A new form of liposuction, Ultrasonic Assisted Liposuction, uses ultrasonic energy to "melt" fat into easy-to-extract liquid. It allows the surgeon to suction larger volumes of fat with less bruising and recovery time than traditional liposuction. Back to Latest Articles by Dr. Gibby

Diane Gibby, M.D., P.A., F.A.C.S  Licensed in Texas, Dr. Diane Gibby is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and the founder of The Women's Center for Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery.  She is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), American Medical Association (AMA), Texas Society of Plastic Surgeons (TSPS), Dallas County Medical Society (DCMS) and the Board Certified Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeons of Dallas. She is also a Fellow in the American College of Surgeons (F.A.C.S.). Dr. Gibby's office is located at Medical City Dallas, Building C, Suite 820, (972) 566-6323. Individuals interested in brochures or names of qualified plastic surgeons in their area may call the American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons at 1-800-635-0635.