Why you think you look older than your friends
October 5, 2012
They say the grass is always greener on the other side, but are the wrinkles always smoother? When you look at your close friends and family who are in your age group, it may seem like they've all taken a few sips from the fountain of youth, while you've grown crow’s feet and frown lines to spare. It may be all in your head, but there could be other reasons why the signs of aging are more prominent in you.
Late bloomers for skincare
By now, you've probably realized that the benefits of taking care of your skin can't be overlooked. Washing your face and using lotions and creams to keep your skin healthy can go a long way toward keeping the signs of aging at bay. Unfortunately, even if you realize the necessity of slathering on sunscreen and daily moisturizer, starting late can put you at a significant disadvantage.
If you ask your friends who have the purest, smoothest, youngest-looking skin when they started a skincare regimen, you'll probably find out that they began early and stuck with it. It can be hard to play catch up, but taking extra special care of your skin now can definitely help.
Thank Mom and Dad
So you've been taking care of your skin for years, but you still feel like you're aging faster than others? You may have genetics to blame. Some people are simply more prone to loose and sagging skin, no matter what they do. Ask your mom, dad or grandparents about what they've experienced as they've gotten older, especially if your features are similar to a particular relative's. If you know your mom has struggled with sagging skin around the neck, for instance, then your own neck will probably benefit from some extra attention.
You can also turn to cosmetic surgery to help you tackle the less-than-appealing attributes Mom and Dad gave you. Facelifts, brow lifts and injectable medicines can all help reduce wrinkling on the face, while breast augmentations or body lifts can help with lower body issues.
Healthy choices mean healthy skin
There may be some lifestyle choices you've made that are putting you at a disadvantage when you compare yourself to your friends. Smoking is a big one - the habit is known to increase the signs of aging, particularly around the face. Your diet can also be a factor. Fortunately, making some changes to your habits can help you take care of these issues.
When making simple changes to your daily regimen don’t work, it might be time to get professional advice and help. Ask a dermatologist or speak with a board-certified plastic surgeon to see what options are available to you.
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
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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.
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