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.