Susan Sarandon … George Clooney … Tina Turner … Denzel Washington … Each is over 50 and all look faaaabulous, proving that you can age with style but fight the accompanying wrinkles, sags and bags every step of the way.
Yes, gray hair, laugh lines, and reading glasses inevitably come with maturity, but if you follow these tips, you can look like a million bucks through your 50s, 60s and 70s.
- Throw away those cigarettes. Smoking is a leading cause of premature aging and sure way to wind up looking far older than your years. Medically, cigarettes actually accelerate the body’s aging process, releasing free radicals that damage cells, thereby causing wrinkles around the mouth and eyes, as well as brown spots; dry, crepe-like skin; a sallow complexion; and skin laxity around the cheeks, chin and eyes.
- Give up sunbathing and tanning salons. True, that outdoorsy look is attractive, but over the long haul, those ultraviolet rays will ravage your skin even more than cigarettes. You should also be aware that the damage done in youth accumulates over the years, making it all the more important to start an anti-aging regimen as early as possible.
- Slather on sunscreen. Use a product with an SPF of 30 that offers both UVB and UVA protection. What’s more, if you’re swimming or sweating, reapply often.
- Listen to your medspa anti-aging consultant. Explore all the non-invasive techniques available today that can smooth, firm, tone, brighten, and rejuvenate your skin without surgery. Options include Microdermabrasion and IPL Photo Rejuvenation to address sun damage, Botox and Dysport to eliminate crow’s feet and frown lines, Juvederm and Restylane to smooth out deep folds from nose to mouth, eMatrix to tighten lax skin, and Fractional Skin Resurfacing to even skin tone and erase the signs of blemishes and age spots.
- Give your skin a onceover every few months. If you see any suspicious lumps, red or brown scaly patches, unusual growths, or sores that bleed and fail to heal, see your doctor without delay. NOTE: Fair skinned individuals are at highest risk for skin cancer.
- Diligently use hydrating moisturizers, cleansers, and exfoliants that rid the epidermis of dead cells while promoting promote collagen production. You may also want to invest in a humidifier for added hydration.
- Pursue a healthy lifestyle that includes exercise, good nutrition, plenty of antioxidant-rich fruits and veggies, and lots of water.
