December 06th, 2019

We all know that as we age our bodies begin to show their wear. Our metabolism slows, our skin loses its elasticity and wrinkles begin to crop up where they never were before.  While we all have our own ways of coming to terms with our mortality and the aging process, no one wants to look older than they are.   

That’s why we’ve come up with a list of the top 6 body parts that show their age first and what you can do to optimize these spots, delaying their decay and giving you a little more staying power.

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Whatever problem area you wish to target, anti-aging always starts with anti-inflammation – which means a good diet, good sleep, plenty of movement in your day and regular hygiene. 
Dr. Lani Doser, DNP

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​Hair

Hair has always been a major tell when it comes to age and not just because those nasty grays are taking root. Those are easily washed away with a color boost from specially formulated hair dyes. But even if your color is youthful, your hair thickness and moisture can be a dead giveaway. Not only does hair lose its pigment as we age, it also becomes thinner and more dry and brittle. Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy is an excellent treatment for increasing the number of follicles and restoring your hair's thickness.

Years of sun exposure, color, straightening, curling and styling have wrecked havoc on your follicles.  Eating a healthy diet rich in protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and dark green vegetables for vitamins A and C, as well as zinc packed nuts will help love your hair (and the rest of your body) from the inside out. Remember that over washing and sun exposure can age hair prematurely. Getting deep conditioning treatments can help keep hair healthy and strong. Use a mineral sunscreen on your part.​

​Hands

Hands are one of the first signs you’re aging. This is because the skin on your hands is thinner, more exposed and over worked than any other body part. Sun damage makes its mark here, which is why applying sunscreen to the backs of your hands, on top of a good quality hand cream, at least once a day, is crucial. At night, keep your mitts moist with thicker overnight creams and a pair of moisturizing gloves to keep them soft, supple and younger looking. For sun spots, turn to IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) laser treatments, simple, safe and cost effective, IPL will help you erase years of sun damage and renew your hands’ youthful appearance.

​Face ​

Sun spots​ and freckles don’t just appear on your hands as you age, dark spots can also show up on your face as you grow older. In addition, you’ll be battling volume loss in the cheek and temple areas and wrinkles, especially forehead and frown lines.  No matter which of these issues you’re battling, there’s something you can do. 

Obviously, a good diet rich in whole foods and packed with protein and vegetables is great place to start, as is a great skin care regimen – proper cleansing, toning and hydration of your delicate facial skin. Plenty of rest will ease inflammation in the body and slow the aging process.  But if age spots and wrinkles have already set up a home base on your face, here are a few things you can do to turn back the clock without looking plastic:

• Battle forehead lines and frown lines with Botox
• Cheek and temple volume loss can be plumped up again with dermal filler 
• An IPL photofacial is perfect for renewing sun damaged skin 
• Our exclusive Genesis V by Cutera™, a non-invasive laser technology, is a powerful anti-aging tool that naturally and effectively treats fine lines, wrinkles, and diffuse redness and scars.  By gently heating the dermis well below the skin’s surface, Genesis V Rejuvenation Therapy improves the appearance of wrinkles through collagen stimulation. Laser light also reduces redness and stimulates collagen regrowth, assisting in skin tightening. ​

​Eyes

The windows to your soul, your eyes, can give away your age in less than a blink. That’s because tear troughs, crow’s feet, dark circles and blepharoptosis (drooping eyelids) are all serious markers of age.  A good skin care regimen, including specially formulated eye creams (look for those with vitamins C and E), work well here to keep things moist, but a Botox browlift, dermal fillers and laser treatments can be your best friend when thinking about rejuvenating the skin around your eyes.  The treatment you choose will depend on your skin type and your unique aging profile. Our medical professionals here at SkinWise Rx can help you customize a treatment plan.

​Mouth

Smiling can be your best beauty accessory. Smiles are contagious – they make a great first impression and let people know you’re friendly and approachable.  But now, a recent study published in Psychology and Aging, shows that a great smile can make you appear younger than you actually are, by at least a few years.  But what if your pout has begun to pucker? 

Lip lines, loss of lip volume, marionette lines and yellowing teeth can all age your grin, making you look older. Keep your smile sparkling with regular dental hygiene, maintenance and teeth whitening. Botox and injectable dermal fillers can help plump a pout, decrease a grimace and smooth whistle lines.

​Neck

The dreaded turkey neck waddle, deep creasing on your neck and fine lines, skin tags and spots peppering your décolletage  (the area of a woman's body that is exposed when a garment with a low neckline is worn) can all tip people off to your age.  The skin on your neck is thin, thinner than your face, which is why you need to be sure to take good care of this delicate area.  Preventative measures include a good skin care routine, proper moisturizing and UV protection can go a long way to keeping your neck and the often forgotten décolletage looking supple and young.

Nonsurgical treatment possibilities to tighten the skin in this area include High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HiFU) and Radiofrequency Microneedling (RF Microneedling), Intense Pulse Light Treatment (IPL), LaseMD, Kybella injections. Finally a necklift procedure for those with gobblers –if you’re willing to go under the knife.

Whatever problem area you wish to target, anti-aging always starts with anti-inflammation – which means a good diet, good sleep, plenty of movement in your day and regular hygiene. 

​Keeping your skin properly cared for will go a long way in keeping it in tip top condition. If you still want a little non-surgical help, SkinWise Rx is here to help. Call our office today (503.964.5334) to schedule your FREE consultation and let us help personalize your anti-aging skin care plan today.