ANTI-AGING

Top 7 Things to Prevent and Repair Aging

Everyone ages and everyone will get wrinkles. This is not something you can stop from happening. However, you can prevent it to a certain extent.

As you age, your skin no longer sheds and renews itself as quickly. Therefore, it starts to lose moisture, thin, and grow loose. Sun damage (all those years of tanning or running around as a kid without sunscreen), facial expressions (frowning, smiling), lifestyle habits (smoking, drinking, diet), and even gravity can all contribute to aging.

Although you can't stop Father Time, there are things you can do to slow down the aging process and repair some of the damage already done. So, let the countdown begin!

No. 7
A GOOD, BASIC SKINCARE ROUTINE

Okay, okay, don't press the back button just yet! I know you're all thinking, well DUH! Everyone knows that a good skincare routine can help prevent aging! Even if you're as dumb as a box of rocks, you watch TV right? What are all those commercials for moisturizers and wrinkle creams for? And why are skincare products even made if they don't do anything?

But, I just wanted to reiterate that even if you don't use any actual anti-aging products, a no frills routine with a simple cleanser and basic moisturizer will be better than not doing anything at all.

You geniuses deserve a pat on the back! Am I'm pretty sure you all know what number one is. =)

Note: Your hands, neck, and eyes (maybe the lips for some people) are usually the first areas that start to show signs of aging. Whatever you do to care for your face, do the same for the rest of your body.

No. 6
CHEMICAL (or manual) EXFOLIANTS

The saying goes that men tend to age slower (or look younger, however you want to think of it) because they shave (and thus exfoliate) more frequently. So pretty much every magazine will recommend exfoliating at least once a week.

You can exfoliate manually, by using a scrub or washcloth, or chemically, by using topical acids. Exfoliating helps keep your skin looking young by shedding dead skin cells and pushing newer ones to form. Chemical exfoliants, like AHAs, can also minimize the appearance of wrinkles over time. There is also some scientific evidence that long-term AHA use encourages collagen regeneration.

Even if exfoliating didn't help your skin stay firm or reduce any wrinkles, the process of exfoliation helps you maintain an even and bright complexion, which definitely looks much younger and healthier than uneven and blotchy skin.

No. 5
FACIAL PROCEDURES

I was debating whether or not to rank this as number one, because obviously something like a face lift will "repair" a lot of your aging concerns...But, I decided to put it at number 5 because while facial procedures have their advantages, sometimes they are not practical for everyone. I mean, not everyone can afford to (or even be willing to) get a face lift.

Also, things like plastic surgery and Botox injections don't really "treat" anti-aging, but more like "mask" any aging that has already occurred. So they don't exactly "prevent" or "repair". They're also not things you can do for everyday maintenance.

And they aren't the modern-day fountains of youth like so many people erroneously assume. If they were, tons of the rich and famous would not look so haggard. Proper skincare and healthy lifestyle, facial procedures do not replace. See? Even Yoda thinks so.

So, despite their ability to produce incredible short-term changes, facial procedures will sit at number 5.

However, things like microdermabrasion and chemical peels do prevent and repair the appearance of aging by rapidly exfoliating surface layers of the skin, minimizing fine wrinkles. One treatment session would not do a whole lot, as far as anti-aging goes, but monthly treatments every single year will definitely pack a powerful punch.

Find out what's number one! »