Edmonton Dermatology | Anti Aging On The Surface

Hi, and welcome back to the Edmonton Dermatology YouTube channel. Today, I’m here with Andrea, a licensed nurse at the clinic, and we’re going to talk about anti-aging on the surface. This will be a more superficial level of information—nothing too deep—but it will give you an idea of how Edmonton Dermatology can help you look a little younger and show you where to get started.

I have a quote from Dr. Howard Murad:
“Aging is a fact of life. Looking your age is not.”

I think that’s true.
I think it’s true too!

The Truth About Sun Exposure

One important fact: you can actually treat sun exposure. A lot of people see the effects of aging later in life, often caused by early sun exposure. But the good news is—it’s treatable.

What Is Anti-Aging?

Anti-aging is a big topic.
Essentially, it refers to reducing the visible signs of aging in your skin. That includes minimizing damage like:

  • Sun damage
  • Heat damage
  • Scrapes, cuts, scars
  • Acne

It’s a broad term that covers maintaining the overall health and appearance of your skin—even natural signs of aging like fine lines and wrinkles from smiling.

How Can I Stop My Face from Aging?

Everyone’s always looking for that magical cream—but the real answer is sunscreen.

Here at Edmonton Dermatology’s Skin Surgery Center, we do a lot of skin cancer surgeries. We’ve seen many patients well into their 70s, 80s, and even 90s who were never taught to wear sunscreen. Now, we clearly see the long-term effects of that lack of protection.

Sun is the biggest enemy to our skin.
Yes, it feels great—but it secretly causes damage. Sunscreen is the most important product you can use.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

  • UVA = Aging: It destroys collagen and dehydrates your skin.
  • UVB = Burning: It damages the surface and can lead to skin cancer.

When both are combined, you get the fastest aging effect. Other contributors to skin damage include:

  • Air pollution
  • Blue light from phones
  • Prolonged screen exposure (TV, tablets, etc.)

We’ll talk more about how to protect against these factors during a consultation.

What About Smoking and Skin Aging?

Smoking—and vaping—are both very damaging to your skin. Recent studies are still discovering the long-term effects of vaping, but we already know smoking slows healing and accelerates aging.

When Should I Start Using Anti-Aging Products?

You can actually start using anti-aging products in your twenties.
During your growth years (childhood to adolescence), your body is constantly producing and regenerating. But by your twenties, that process slows down. By age 30, you can lose up to 50% of your collagen.

So start feeding your skin early! Even if you’re older, it’s not too late. There are treatments and products that can help you regain what’s been lost.

Can I Reverse Aging?

Not completely.
We still want to look natural—not frozen or overly enhanced like some celebrities. The goal is to age gracefully.

At Edmonton Dermatology, we focus on slowing down aging, and in some cases, partially reversing it using treatments like Fillers and Botox or Dysport.

But total erasure? That’s unnatural and not our style. We want you to look like the best version of yourself.

How Can I Look Younger at 40?

There’s no one solution. But if you want fast results:

  • Injections like Botox or fillers offer noticeable effects.
  • Filler helps plump the skin by replacing lost facial fat.
  • Botox/Dysport softens dynamic lines (caused by facial movement).
  • Skincare helps prolong those results.
  • Lasers offer long-term benefits by promoting deeper regeneration.

We usually recommend combining injections with skincare for the best outcome.

Recommended Anti-Aging Products

We carry medical-grade skincare here, and one favorite is from SkinCeuticals—a L’Oréal company.

  • HA Intensifier: Contains hyaluronic acid (from purple rice). It feeds your collagen directly and helps fillers last longer.

Another must-have:

  • Retinol: Helps regulate skin cell turnover. Think of it as a little bootcamp coach—it tells your cells what to do and keeps everything regenerating in sync.

Both SkinCeuticals and Vivier (a Canadian brand from Montreal) offer excellent options. We choose based on your skin type and current needs.

What Skincare Routine Should I Follow?

A basic anti-aging routine should include:

  1. Cleanser – Non-stripping, gentle but effective
  2. (Optional) Toner – Use only if needed
  3. Vitamin C – For sun protection and collagen support
  4. HA Intensifier – Adds hydration and boosts collagen
  5. Moisturizer – Hydrating layer
  6. Sunscreen – Always finish your morning routine with SPF

At night, your skin regenerates the most—this is the time for higher potency ingredients like retinol.

It’s important to like the texture of your products. If it doesn’t feel good, you won’t use it—and that means no results. That’s why an in-person consultation is so helpful.

Additional Skincare Products at Edmonton Dermatology

We offer:

  • Vivier (Canadian, based in Montreal)
  • SkinCeuticals (world-renowned, L’Oréal)

Both are pharmaceutical-grade and a step above over-the-counter brands.
We also have scar-specific products—but your exact needs will be determined during your consultation.

Final Thoughts

Thank you so much for all the helpful information!
You’re welcome!

Thanks for joining us on the Edmonton Dermatology YouTube channel. Don’t forget to like and subscribe—I’m sure you learned something new today, just like I did.
See you next time!
Bye-bye!