Legend has it there is a magical spring, known as the Fountain of Youth, somewhere in the world (right now it's thought to be in Florida) that will turn back the hands of time when one drinks from it, restoring them to a vibrant, young age. Unfortunately, until the holy grail of youthfulness is found, we are forced to turn to man-made potions to help slow the signs of aging.
In order to try and reverse the effects, we must first understand what causes aging. "As you age, the cumulative exposure to free radicals causes the visible signs of aging and the decline in your skin health,” explained Dr. Linda Miles, L. Ac. D.O.M., vice president of derma e® Natural Bodycare. “We encounter free radicals every day. For example, overexposure to the sun, toxins in food, water and air, even exercise and stress can create free radicals."
However, it's not just outside environmental factors that cause aging, said Emily Fritchey founder and president of Sunshine Botanicals; everyone will be affected, no matter how much they try and prevent it. "Intrinsic aging is the natural process of aging and out individual genetic make up, characterized by a loss of the underlying fat layer that often results in that thin, gaunt look with hollowed cheeks and eye sockets," she said.
According to Dieter Kuster, Ph.D., director of R&D and senior chemist for Doctor D. Schwab, there are personal external and internal factors that affect the skin: "[External impacts include] abuse of any type of drugs, smoking, alcohol, and prescription or over the counter drugs. [Internal impacts include] oxidative stress, anxiety disorders, negative attitudes, unhappiness, etc. Personal responsibility is of the utmost importance, therefore live a long and happy life."
Following the doctor's advice would do one well, as indulging in certain harmful factors can severely expedite the signs of aging. "Signs of aging include sagging that manifests as jowls around the mouth, more prominent nasolabial folds [the two folds of skin which run from the side of the nose to the corner of the mouth], wrinkles and an increased prominence of pores,” said Rick Simpson, president of Ultra Laboratories. “The lips also become thinner and brown spots appear."
Fritchey concurred, adding that blotchy and discolored pigmentation, sallow color, loss of firmness, dark circles under the eyes, puffiness, inflammation and redness, extremely dry skin and loss of elasticity are also all signs of aging.
So, then, what is to be done to minimize the ravages of time? Almost all experts agree it is never too early to begin an anti-aging skin care regimen. Keri Glassman, MS, RD, CDN and president of Keri Glassman, A Nutritious Life, said birth is the best time to start: "An anti-aging regimen begins when kids use sun block and eat healthy."
Kirsten Corcoran, founder of Larenim Mineral Makeup, puts the timing around the teenage years. "That's when one is faced with the responsibility of preventing excessive sun exposure, making good decisions and being proactive about their health."
Miles echoed Corcoran's statements, and recommended an antioxidant-rich supplement regimen in conjunction with fresh fruits and vegetables, and also recommended exercise, yoga in particular, as yoga "has specific poses for smoothing facial wrinkles."