By Amiya Prasad, M.D.
When you walk down the beauty aisle in any store, many products tout their anti-aging abilities. While some of these products may help, there is so much more to ageing well than can be found in a single beauty product regimen. The good news is that it is never too late to take steps to look younger. The body is remarkably resilient and can be very forgiving. So, no matter what kind of damaging exposure or unhealthy diet you’ve had thus far, it’s never too late to turn back the clock on your appearance.
Here are five tips to help you take years off your appearance and maintain a healthy, younger glow no matter what age you are.
1. Avoid ultraviolet (UV) rays and light. UV light is the biggest factor in ageing skin. While sun exposure in small doses is inevitable and offers some important benefits to our skin, too much UV light exposure causes wrinkles. While the sun is the primary source of UV exposure, other UV light sources include tanning beds and fluorescent lighting, which should be avoided. UV rays are accumulative on the skin, so make sure you use a sunscreen SPF of 30 or higher every day. Even better, use a moisturizer with SPF. Depending on your amount of exposure, reapply sunscreen as often as necessary.
2. If it’s healthy for your heart, it’s healthy for your skin. Being overweight is not only unhealthy for your body and heart, it’s incredibly ageing. Too much body fat is a source of free radicals and carcinogens in your body. Free radicals and carcinogens are responsible for aging, tissue damage and diseases, such as cancer. An antioxidant rich diet prevents free radicals from harming healthy tissue. A diet full of fruits, vegetables, healthy grains and nuts help eliminate carcinogens in the body.
3. Add resistance to your exercise routine. After the age of 35, you will lose 5 percent of muscle mass every ten years. By including resistance training in your workouts, you will help stimulate your natural growth hormones, which help maintain and repair tissues and organs, and thus give you that healthy, younger looking glow. Dieting may produce short-term results, but it will not benefit your long-term health or appearance. It’s important to eat a healthy diet and exercise in moderation with resistance.
4. Think younger. Be younger. The way you dress, style your hair and carry yourself nonverbally communicates your energy level and age. If you want to look younger, dress appropriately younger. Wear figure flattering clothes in colors that enhance your face. Style your hair in such a way that it frames your face. If you are experiencing any kind of hair loss, avoid longer hair that pulls on the scalp. If you have gray hair, work with a hair stylist to find the appropriate color for you. And, don’t forget posture. Bad posture is frumpy. Good posture communicates confidence.
5. Give your skin a regular treat. Regular facials, microdermabrasion and chemical peels will improve the appearance of your skin and help you look younger by evening skin tone, diminishing fine lines, wrinkles and scars, removing dead skin cells and smoothing the texture of your skin. While many consider facials, microdermabrasion and chemical peels a luxury spa service, these treatments are actually maintenance your skin needs to be its healthiest and look its best, which means a younger looking appearance for you. In addition, as you age, your lips will start to thin out. Fillers such as Botox can take years off your face.
The cumulative results of being steadfast to these five tips will take years off of your appearance. These tips not only benefit your appearance and health, but won’t break the bank and are easy to implement into your daily living.