While no one can stop the passage of time, there is an art to aging gracefully – and we are here to help you master it. Gone are the days of lamenting over age spots and sagging skin; and splashing out only to go under the knife. Thankfully, we now get to live in a world where innovative, cost-effective, and non-invasive anti-aging remedies are available within arm’s reach. This year is all about taking charge of your own health, and as with every skin concern associated with aging, it all begins with prevention.
Did you know that approximately 90% of skin aging is believed to be caused by the effects of sun damage? Photo aging is the result of the sun’s ultraviolet radiation on our skin over time, causing unsightly wrinkles, dark spots, and sagging – the unholy triumvirate of visible skin aging. Our best advice to you is to find a broad-spectrum sunscreen suited to your skin type with a minimum SPF of 30, and apply a quarter teaspoon on your face and liberally on sun-exposed parts of the body. Re-apply every 2-4 hours as part of your daily routine, depending on how active you are.
If you’re using a chemical sunscreen, make sure to use massaging motions for application, and allow 20-30 minutes for the product to become absorbed in your skin before leaving the house. On the other hand, physical (or mineral) sunscreen will start protecting you skin immediately after application.
Another way to boost anti-aging efforts in daily life is by loading up your diet with healthy fats, nutrients, antioxidants, and lots of water. Make sure to drink at least 8 glasses of water a day, which helps to restore healthy, youthful skin from the cellular level. According to experts, the key to aging beautifully is to stay hydrated. As we age, the water content of our body decreases, going down from being born with 78% body water content down to an average of 55%-60% as adults. Men tend to hold more body water content due to higher muscle mass, whereas women naturally hold less due to more fatty tissue. As the primary constituent of cells, water keeps skin fresh, soft, and glowing, so make sure you always have a bottle with you wherever you go!
Related: How to Look Younger: the Art of Aging Gracefully
Remember, preventing the signs of aging isn’t just about taking care of your physical appearance. It’s just as much about pampering your mental and emotional well-beings, in addition to being mindful about what the food and drink we consume. Aging is a natural process, but we can take better control of how we go about it by staying healthy, happy, and educated.