Beauty TipsBirthdays happen, but looking older is optional. Here's how to take years off — without keeping your hands in your pockets.
Our
secret plan for defying Father Time: Think beyond the crow's-feet.
"Most women are so conscious of every littlewrinkle on their face, they
forget about the other body parts that may be showing some wear and
tear," . So by all means, let's deal with those wrinkles — but aging
affects everything from the whiteness of your teeth to the thickness of
your hair, so it's imperative that you address your problems from head
to toe. The key thing to remember: Every sign of aging boils down to
changes in texture and color. The rich sheen of your hair begins to
fade; skin that was smooth grows rough. Likewise, every remedy involves
preventing, reversing or at least compensating for those changes. So
choose your weapons and let the counterattack begin.
Your Teeth
You don't have to say a word about your age — pearly (or not-so-pearly) whites will say it for you.
Age giveaway:
Years of eating and drinking can leave your teeth yellow or gray, and
if you smoke, forget it. But size and shape also matter. Young-looking
teeth are vibrant, with clean, rounded edges, . Older ones are the
opposite (small, worn, chipped). In addition, your gums may recede over
time and leave you looking as if you have gaps between your teeth.
Reverse the clock:
Peroxide-based whiteners deep-clean and brighten. To try: Crest
Whitestrips Renewal. (A dentist's treatments will give you striking
results in just one day — but at a much higher price.) If teeth are
worn, ask your dentist about a bite guard to prevent grinding. To
correct tiny or damaged teeth, ask about crowns, veneers and
recontouring. Gum-recession gaps? Consider caps.
Your Neck and Chest
Four
words: Look below your chin. Like your face, that area has suffered
environmental damage — from the sun, wind, pollution — and it shows.
Age giveaway:
If you care for your face (using moisturizer, wrinkle concealer, etc.),
it may look a whole lot better than your neck and chest, which may be
leathery, spotted or deeply wrinkled. That contrast says you're older
than your face reveals.
Reverse the clock: "It sounds
simple, but you should treat the skin of your neck and chest just as
you would your face,". Every day, apply creams with antioxidants like
vitamins A and C. Your doctor can use a combination of chemical peels
(or microdermabrasion and a laser) to fade age spots and firm up
sagging skin. Botox injections in the vocal cord area can improve the
look of a turkey neck. To slow further damage, use a broad-spectrum
sunscreen daily.
Your Hair
Here
you're contending with not one but three aging factors: time, chemicals
(from dyes and highlights) and the environment (yep, it does
damage in this area too). "A 25-year-old can have 50-year-old
hair — and vice versa, depending on the level of exposure to
these elements," .
Age giveaway: For every cause
of aging hair, there's a different manifestation. Dryness — in the form
of messy frizz and loss of shine — is public enemy number one. Damage
or age is to blame if your hair used to look good but is now thinning
or dull or has a dishwater color.
Reverse the clock:
Hair isn't alive, it's dead — but so is a cashmere sweater, and it will
still look better if you care for it. Older hair is thirsty, so
first and foremost, you need to give it moisture — but not the kind you
find in the shower, which is drying. (It sounds counterintuitive, but
the less often you wet your hair, the healthier it will be.) Instead,
after every shampoo, use a protein- or antioxidant-rich conditioner or
treatment to strengthen and protect and to restore shine. To try:
Nexxus Y Serum.
If you color your hair, try touching up just
the new growth rather than recoloring (read: damaging) your whole mane.
It's also important to soften your color as you get older, "The
same tone that looked good when you were younger can seem too harsh as
you mature." Your cut can also make a difference: Ask for one with
movement, then keep ends trimmed and go easy on ultrahold products — a
stiff, supercoiffed look always adds years.
Your Hands
They
take a daily beating. The culprits: everything from harsh soaps and
shuffling papers at the office (both [naughty word removed] out skin's moisture) to the
UV dryer at the nail salon (which — who knew — contributes to those
dreaded age spots).
Age giveaway: As you get older,
hands look bonier and veins become more visible — both the result of
reduced collagen production. Sun spots from years of exposure become
more pronounced.
Reverse the clock: You don't have to
wear gloves, but you do need to protect your hands with sunscreen —
just as you'd apply hand cream. Exfoliate regularly to improve
circulation and texture, and moisturize 24-7. For paper-thin skin that
really shows the veins, ask a doctor about laser therapy to help the
overall appearance of your hands. Restylane injections will work faster
(plumping up the backs of your hands) but are more costly and can be
painful.
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