Top 10 Ways to Avoid Aging
May 7th, 2009
Anti-aging treatments, like neuro-muscular blockers (Botox ®), fillers, laser treatments and facial rejuvenation surgery, are all the rage. What about methods of prevention? Many factors contribute to facial aging. In a recent study, facial aging was found to be accentuated by antidepressants, divorce and weight changes or fluctuations. Although genetics clearly play a role, several factors within our control contribute significantly to an aged appearance.
MY TOP TEN ways to reduce facial aging.
Avoid sun exposure. Ultraviolet light damages your skin. This show up as wrinkles, superficial growths and skin cancer. Wear a hat in the sun and use sunblock everyday.
Keep your skin clean and moisturized. The common denominators of all skin care programs are a cleansor and a moisturizer. Combined with sunblock, it is all you really need.
Don’t smoke. The pursing of the lips accentuates lip wrinkles while the chemicals in tobacco products damages your entire body, including your skin. The risks of all sorts of cancers also increases.
Avoid weight fluctuation. Dramatic weight changes are even worse. Skin can only be stretched so many times or so much before it starts to sag.
Wear sun glasses. Also, if you wear corrective lenses, wear your prescription correction as well. Both of these will reduce squinting which makes crows feet and lower eyelid bags more prominent. This will also reduce your risk for cataracts.
Drink plenty of water. Hydrated skin is health skin. The natural water content of skin will always make it look less wrinkles when constantly being replenished.
Eat healthy. This of course goes hand in hand with appropriate weight maintenance. A balanced diet will provide proper nutrition with a reduced risk of unhealthy weight gain or loss.
Choose your future spouse carefully. As noted above, the stress of divorce adds years to facial aging.
Cultivate a sunny disposition. Do your best to avoid depression. Certainly this is much easier said than done! Patients frequently come to my office saying they feel like they have aged several years after loosing a loved one. If depressed, only use antidepressants under the supervision of a physician. It is hard to say whether it is the depression or the antidepressant medications, but their use seems to contribute to aging.
Keep your teeth and a healthy smile. Tooth loss leads to bone loss in the upper and lower jaws. The central face becomes sunken and aged in appearance. Flossing, regular teeth cleaning and dental care will reduce periodontal gum disease, which is the leading cause of tooth loss.
Vibrancy in the Workplace
May 6th, 2009
Workplace vitality is important in all business. This is appreciated not only through energy and productivity but also in physical appearance. Appropriate make up, hair style and clothing for the business setting may go a long way toward meeting the physical appearance criteria. A healthy body appearance is also an asset. However, an aged face may negate many of the positive factors.
Women and men often turn to facial rejuvenation surgery to maintain their perceived look of youthful vitality for continued success in the business arena. A recent survey by the American Society for Aesthetic Surgery confirms this.
Patients usually present in my office when they hear comments like, “You look tired. Did you rest well last night?” They also might hear, “You look angry or Are you mad at me?” Most of the time these comments are in response to the aging appearance of eyelids and forehead. Frown lines, sagging eyebrows and lower eyelid bags all contribute to this unflattering perception.
Injections may be a quick fix and often buy time until more permanent solutions are considered. Botox(Trademark) reduces muscle activity which creates prominent frown lines and crow’s feet. Filler materials mask the bags of the lower eyelids. Both of these are inexpensive and have require very little recovery. Unfortunately, they are all temporary.
Surgery gives a longer term and sometimes permanent solution. Forehead lift raises drooping eyebrows and reduces drown lines. Lower eyelid surgery reduces lower eyelid bags, while upper eyelid surgery elimiates extra upper eyelid skin and fat. These procedures may be combined to yield dramatic improvements in that “tired or angry” look.
Sometimes business executives choose a facelift, as well. This procedure is very effective in rejuvenating the neck, jowls and cheeks, yielding a rested and more youthful appearance. These treatments might be just what the doctor ordered to maintain that edge you have always had in business!
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