Injectables, Creams and Cost-Free Anti-Aging Tricks

April 5, 2012

Think twice about drinking out of bottles and chewing gum.
Think twice about drinking out of bottles and chewing gum.

The quest for a younger face makes the world turn. The April 2012 issue of Allure delivers, “the best skin tips you’ve never heard.”

First, stop toting bottles of water and other bottled drinks. As with straws, constant pursing creates lines and intensifies mouth lines that you already have. Instead, carry a reusable bottle with a spout and squirt the water in. Smoking: forget it. But also, do not chew gum. Chewing accentuates the motion lines around the mouth. Have a breath mint!

Did you realize that your workout might be reflected in your face? A dermatologist interviewed by Allure shared, “I can pinpoint women who tense the jaw and throat when exercising, because it makes the cords of the neck more prominent and pulls down the face.”

UVA light, which travels through windows, is carcinogenic and induces the grayish, yellow-y cast you see on older people’s skin. A dermatologist advises, “Unless you live in a cinder-block bunker, wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen 365 days a year, rain or shine.” Also, beware of the space heater next to your desk as well as your living room fireplace. Sit at least ten feet away because direct exposure from two to three feet causes redness and collagen breakdown.

And please, sleep on your back. Do not allow your skin to be pressed against wrinkles in your pillow case. If you can’t sleep on your back, sleep on silk, satin or pillowcases with a very high thread count.

Any low-tech lotion, containing glycerin, shea butter or another hydrator, aids in skin repair, increasing mobility after sun damage, making repetitive smiles and squints less punishing. But, only use this in a pinch. Instead, use a morning moisturizer with sunscreen and antioxidants (vitamin C or ferulic acid), followed by a retinoid or retinol at night.

And keep in mind, how much is too much. Fillers such as Radiesse, Juvederm and Sculptra yield a fuller face that looks younger than a face that is taut and hollowed. But, if filler is used to excess, your eyes, mouth and jawline may be dwarfed by overly-rounded cheeks. Allure interviewed a dermatologist with a different approach. He fills fat pads at the temples, the front of the ears and the chin. He says, “Filling in the periphery of the face restores softness and balance without making you look done.”

In addition to banishing crow’s feet, headaches, a gummy smile and excessive sweating, a few units of Botox can shrink prominent glands just under the jawline that can make you look jowly. However, a well-known dermatologist reports “it won’t reduce jowliness across the board in all women.”

For any beauty treatment that involves an injectable, make sure your doctor is board-certified in an appropriate specialty.


The mission of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) includes medical education, public education and patient advocacy. Plastic Surgery News Briefs are summaries of current stories found through various news and magazine outlets that relate to or mention plastic surgery and cosmetic procedures. The views expressed in these news articles do not necessarily reflect the opinions of ASAPS, but are merely published as an educational service to our members and the general public. For additional information on these subjects and other plastic surgery related topics, please go to www.surgery.org

Search by location (Zip, City, or Country)

Related Articles

Why your arms don't look the way you want them to

May 16, 2013 - When you imagine the perfect gym body, you probably picture bulging biceps, round shoulders and taut forearms.

Five little changes that can make a big difference in how you look

May 15, 2013 - The change of the seasons may inspire you to undergo a transformation, but going through a makeover is time-consuming and oftentimes overwhelming.

Study: Gold in your skincare products accelerates aging

May 7, 2013 - They say that not all that glitters is gold, and not all gold is good for you.

Battle of the sexes: How the faces of men and women age differently

May 6, 2013 - One of the joys of being in a committed relationship is growing old together, but men and women don't always have the same experiences while aging.

The foods that make you age faster

May 3, 2013 - If you've been reading any healthy living magazines or news articles over the past few years, you've probably seen your fair share of lists touting foods that contain antioxidants and other age-defying nutrients.

Latest Articles

The wrong reasons to get plastic surgery

May 23, 2013 - An aesthetic surgery procedure can help you boost your confidence and get the body you've always dreamed of, but the decision to go under the knife should not be one entered into lightly.

Woman sought for administering plastic surgery without a license

May 22, 2013 - A disturbing case out of New York should serve as a reminder to those considering plastic surgery that it's always important to seek out the services of a board-certified cosmetic surgeon. Even minimally invasive procedures like Botox injections must be carried out by licensed, trained individuals, or else patients could experience disastrous results.

Summer safety tips for everyone

May 21, 2013 - This time of year, the media is chock full of skincare tips.

Laser treatment for tattoo trouble

May 17, 2013 - It’s easy to understand the impulsive rush of enthusiasm that can send one running to the tattoo parlor. It’s also easy to understand how ‘life’ can intervene in the form of new relationships, new careers and new directions, so that the once glorious tattoo becomes an embarrassment.

Why your arms don't look the way you want them to

May 16, 2013 - When you imagine the perfect gym body, you probably picture bulging biceps, round shoulders and taut forearms.

About ASAPS
The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), is recognized as the world’s leading organization devoted entirely to aesthetic plastic surgery and cosmetic medicine of the face and body.  ASAPS is comprised of over 2,600 Plastic Surgeons; active members are certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (USA) or by the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and have extensive training in the complete spectrum of surgical and non-surgical aesthetic procedures. International active members are certified by equivalent boards of their respective countries. All members worldwide adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and must meet stringent membership requirements.

Website: www.surgery.org
Follow ASAPS on Twitter: www.twitter.com/ASAPS
Become a fan of ASAPS on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AestheticSociety
Become a member of Project Beauty: www.projectbeauty.com
Locate a plastic surgeon in your area:  http://www.surgery.org/consumers/find-a-plastic-surgeon

Copyright © 2009-2012 ASAPS. All Rights Reserved.