 |
Anti-aging
Strategies
by
R. W. Davis
Facial
aging is primarily caused by two factors: genetics and the
environment. While some of the effects of aging can be reduced
by life-style changes, others unfortunately cannot. After 30,
the gradual signs of aging begin to take their toll, but what
exactly is happening to the physical structure of the face that
causes men to look older and lose their healthy and youthful
appearance? And most important, what can men do to counteract
the negative effects of facial aging?
<<
Watch carefully as this image
demonstrates how a typical man ages 40 years. Pay particular
attention to the first signs of aging around the eyes. Image
cycles every 20 seconds.
Significant
Factors
Facial
aging mainly comes in the form of a drooping effect as bone mass
decreases and the skin thins and looses elasticity. That's
what's happening underneath the surface but on the outside, the
effect can be summed up in one word … wrinkles. Heredity
plays the major role i.e. we typically age the way our mothers
and fathers did and there isn't a lot that can be done about it
other than plastic surgery. Our environment plays a significant
role in aging as well. Between the ages of 30 and 50, our skin
pigment changes significantly due to the effect of ultraviolet
light exposure. This results in the formation of age spots,
uneven tone, and a sallow color. Even though we may feel
healthy, this pigment change often creates an unhealthy look.
Aging
near the eyes usually appears first and is often the most
severe. This is partially due to the fact that the skin around
the eyes is thinner, it has fewer oil glands, and as time
passes, gravity pulls the eyebrows and eyelids down. The
constant movement of the skin from blinking and squinting
further enhances this early aging effect. Stress causes facial
muscles to become tense and pull the skin unevenly. Over a
period of many years this can cause crows feet around the eyes,
frown lines between the brows, and wrinkles on the forehead.
Skin
dehydration is a factor, which is commonly overlooked.
Two
of the most common culprits are
alcohol and caffeine, which diminish the body's ability to
retain water resulting in dryer wrinkled skin. For years we've
been hearing reports in the media about the importance of
wearing sunblock because of the risk of various forms of skin
cancer. What most men aren't aware of is how quickly the sun can
age their skin. Other than heredity, it's the most powerful
contributor to facial aging. While the effects can be delayed in
the early years, the unseen damage from the sun is still being
done. For example, a decade or two of unprotected sun exposure
during the spring and summer months can age a man's skin almost
exponentially. A 25 year old man with a history of excessive sun
exposure may look only slightly older than his actual age, but
when he approaches 40, he may appear as old as 50. By age 50,
his accumulative skin damage would suggest perhaps that he is 65
or older.
Strategies
Men
didn't worry very much about aging 30 years ago, but in recent
years, this has become less true. In the last 15 years the
amount of men having face-lifts has more than doubled. The
techniques used by plastic surgeons reverses the effect of
gravity and time by surgically raising the forehead, eyebrows,
chin, cheeks, and upper eyelids. There isn't a technique,
chemical or cosmetic that is as effective as plastic surgery.
It's very expensive, however, and impractical for men who only
have lightly or moderately aged skin.
So
what can men do on a daily basis to maintain the youthful and
healthy look of their face? Number one is sunblock. Use SPF 15
or greater whenever you can. Did you know that even indirect
ultraviolet rays age skin? In other words, when you're sitting
in the comfort and shade of your car, the indirect light that
comes through the windshield is still aging your face? Eat a
healthy diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, avoid excess
sugar and fat and drink plenty of water. Just six glasses a day
will improve your skin's appearance in only a week by
temporarily filling in age lines and plumping up small wrinkles.
Try not to use hot water when cleansing your face. It may feel
good but heat helps break down Elastin, making the skin sag over
time. Cleanse with lukewarm or cool water instead. Reduce your
stress level and exercise regularly *. Exercise increases blood
circulation, which delivers oxygen to cells and creates better
skin color. Exercise will also help improve your sleep and lower
your stress levels. Many doctors are beginning to recommend
stress-reducing techniques for their patients such as yoga and
meditation. These techniques can slow and sometimes reverse
facial aging by relaxing facial muscles.
Use
a daily moisturizer to help diminish the look of fine lines and
wrinkles and always use a facial scrub once a week to remove
dead skin cells. If you opt for one of the latest skin renewal
products containing Alpha Hydroxy or Glycolic acid, be careful
not to use one that is too strong as it can cause irritation and
increase your skins sensitivity to ultraviolet light. Recent
studies in Europe have shown that some of these "miracle"
age reducers, which have become the skin care rage, may be far
more harmful than previously thought. Some of the studies
suggest that while their short term use can improve skin texture
by eliminating fine lines and wrinkles, their long term effect
may accelerate facial aging or worse... increase your risk of
developing skin cancer from ultraviolet radiation.
Last
but not least, give your face a little boost of color and
vitality with cosmetics that are designed for the male
complexion such as a Tone Enhancer or a Bronzing Powder. Unlike
makeup for women which is often evident on the skin, men's
cosmetics are designed for a thinner application while providing
a subtle amount of corrective coverage without detection. The
colors are more natural and compliment healthy skin tone. I
always recommend a little Concealer under the eyes to hide dark
circles and at the corners of the lips to help reduce the visual
droop of the mouth, which comes with age and worry. If you're
feeling real bold, try using a Men's Foundation to even out your
skin tone, reduce large pores, and minimize the appearance of
aged skin. To help lift tired or sagging eyes, apply some
Eyebrow Gel in an upward and outward direction. While sensible
skin care, exercise and a clean diet are crucial for maintaining
a healthier and younger look over the long term, a light
application of men's cosmetics will give you instant and
beneficial results today. And after all, isn't that what it's
all about?
Image
provided by Studio5ive.
The
opinions and recommendations expressed in this article are the
sole responsibility of the author and do not necessarily reflect
the views of Studio5ive Skin System and its employees. *Consult
your doctor before starting an exercise program.
|
|
