Let’s just be real here. Once us ladies are over the big 3-0, just hearing the word “aging” can make us cringe! Once I hit my 30’s, I wanted to do as much as I could to age as less as I could. I like to think of two things when it comes to anti-aging; prevention and maintenance.
PREVENTION
- The best advice my mom gave me when I was 9 years old was to wear sunglasses everyday to prevent wrinkles. I literally have done so ever since and I truly believe that has prevented me from getting wrinkles or crow’s feet around my eyes as I am never squinting.
- Your skin is your body’s largest organ, so your diet and water intake will affect your skin. Cut down on processed foods with ingredients you cannot pronounce and be sure to drink enough water daily. I aim for 64 ounces a day and keep track of my intake through my fitbit app, otherwise I would never drink enough.
- This may seem like a no brainer, but try to limit your time in the sun. Try to get a spray tan or use self tanning lotion instead of laying out under the harmful UV rays. If I do lay out, which is very rare, I cover my head with a towel or wear a really large hat (think Dynasty).
- Look into taking supplements. Certain ones like Borage Oil will put moisture back into your skin.
- Moisturize as much as you can! This is so extremely important. I have been moisturizing since I was a teenager and do it twice a day. I always moisturize my face before I put on my makeup and at night after I remove my makeup. I also always put lotion on my arms and legs to begin my day.
- Have a nightly routine for cleansing your face to prevent breakouts and to promote even skin tone. I use a face cleanser along with a scrub brush and I actually wash my face twice…always! I like to do this to ensure that all my makeup is off of my face to reduce breakouts. I cannot stress enough how important it is to remove all of your makeup before you go to bed.
MAINTENANCE
This all depends on your comfort level and what you are willing to do! Here are some of the latest trends for maintenance.
- Microneedling is a little device that contains small needles that rolls over your face. The purpose of this is to help stimulate the collagen in your skin. By doing this, it will help your skin to absorb the products that you do use on your face. It sounds ominous but a local anesthetic is used.
- Botox or Dysport are injections that will help to smooth out your skin and remove those fine lines and wrinkles, usually on the forehead or around the mouth area (think frown lines). If you go this route make sure you are seeing a nurse or a doctor for the injections.
- Facials – There are so many different kinds of facials to chose from that can help to hydrate your skin. They will usually open up your pores to remove blockage and re-hydrate your face, which will in turn even out and brighten your skin tone.
- Chemical Peels – I have had experience with these and although it does burn for only 1 to 2 minutes, it is worth it! (They usually give you a cooling fan to hold to ease the burning feeling). A solution is applied to your face that will help your first layer of skin peel off in a few days. This will help to get rid of age or sun spots and after your skin is exfoliated off, it actually feels like a mini face lift. Your skin feels tight and rejuvenated!
