Adopt anti-aging strategies for far reaching effects

The common perception about anti-aging strategies as evident from the name is slowing down or defying aging process. But what most people (even those who zealously undertake anti-aging strategies and techniques) don’t know is that anti-aging strategies exert a far reaching effect than that. Now people who have crossed the 30 mark don’t have to dread their birthdays as experts from the University of Alabama at Birmingham have some really useful and potent advice.

"Photoaging -- or the changes induced by chronic UVA and UVB exposure -- is responsible for accelerating the skin's aging process," said Marian Northington, M.D., director of UAB Cosmetic Dermatology. "Daily incidental sun exposures -- running out to the car, going to the mailbox and exercising -- add up and result in wrinkles, sun spots and potentially cancerous lesions," Northington said. "The No. 1 way people can prevent photoaging is wearing a 30-plus SPF sunscreen -- one that contains zinc oxide -- every day."

But what about people who have already suffered damage to their skin due to sun light exposure? Or if someone is of advanced years? Even for those people there’s a bright glimmer of hope! “Using an over-the-counter cream with retinol, which is a vitamin A derivative, can decrease the risk of skin cancer and improve skin pigmentation and abnormalities, as well as increase collagen content to help with lines and wrinkles," Northington said.

According to Northington depending on the severity of the damage advance restorative methods might be required. This can be easily remedied by visiting a cosmetic dermatologist and opting for noninvasive and fast acting options that alleviate photoaging with minimal or no downtime. "Fraxel laser resurfacing is an excellent way to improve wrinkles, pigmentation and abnormalities," Northington said. "There are also skin-tightening devices that improve skin laxity, as well as injections that will replace lost volume that occurs with aging to lift the face nonsurgically and reduce lines and wrinkles."

According to Northington conclusive studies have proved that various dermatologic skin improvement methods have effects which transcend mere improvement in appearance. "People who have had fillers reported that they felt they make a better first impression with other people, but they also feel better with themselves and happier with their lives," Northington said.

Outward appearance can have a significant impact on a person's self-esteem, so 'looking better' both in one's own eyes and in the eyes of others can add to self-esteem. However, self-esteem is an internal experience that needs to be driven by far more than appearance." Added Josh Klapow, Ph.D., associate professor in the UAB School of Public Health and a psychologist. Klapow further added that most problems and unfulfilled expectations from cosmetic surgery stem from patients having unrealistic expectations. For example a person in their 70’s expecting to look like a 20 year old. "Feeling good about what you look like can help you feel better about who you are," Klapow said. "But feeling good about who you are, independent of what you look like, is a far more powerful way to have and keep high self-esteem."