There's No Need to Fear Age

I understand…

Aging comes with a plethora of anxieties. It can cause fear that depression may be imminent because of lost time. Menial tasks may become more challenging to complete. "Empty nest syndrome," when children leave home, is common for parents who age. But, namely, an aged physical appearance can cause doubt within oneself. 

There isn't a youthful glow anymore, and wrinkles come to define once-smooth skin. Years of emotional experiences - from frustration, anger and sadness - can become staples of an individual's appearance. 

These are scary experiences, and I want you to know that you're not alone. Everyone fears aging to some degree. But I'm here to tell you - there's beauty to this process, and you needn't fear. 

Your Feelings Matter

Okay, if you've stumbled upon this article, you may potentially feel you're wallowing in your fears about aging. It's okay because your feelings matter. While worrying about aging seems like such a trivial matter, everyone ages. There's no need to invalidate yourself. Although the temptation to keep your emotions to yourself might be high, the thought persists deep down: the clock ticks. 

Aside from vanity, aging can also be confused with believing that you may lose the capacity for love and respect for yourself. In today's youth-driven world, beauty is seen as the metric that sets the tone for and determines our capacity for self-love.

This is all said to reiterate - your feelings matter. Age isn't a scary thing. But the beliefs we instill into it when we are in our prime cause a harmful perception.

Age Is Beautiful

Aging is, in fact, a beautiful thing. There's no need to succumb to the superficial stresses of aging, and it's time to realize that age is not a definitive factor for beauty. If you're struggling with thinking that age isn't beautiful, look in the mirror. 

Notice any wrinkles or lines? If they spur feelings of doubt in your physical beauty, reframe the meaning behind these qualities. Certain lines, from forehead lines to lines surrounding the mouth, can indicate happiness and a fulfilled life. Additionally, with age comes wisdom, and with wisdom comes confidence. 

That's right - age can lead to increased confidence levels because the need to be viewed favorably by a younger generation decreases dramatically by age 65. At this age group, you're more likely to consistently feel good about your appearance without paying heed to the millennials or Gen Z-ers of the world. However, middle-aged individuals are more likely not to appreciate their own appearance. But that's on them. Because as mentioned, it is the belief of aging that causes this harmful perception - not being high in age itself. 

Healthy Habits to Keep Young Looking Young

With all of that said, and if the thought of age still causes your deep-seated fears to persist in your mind, there are healthy habits that can keep you looking young (well into 65 and beyond). So if you want to stop worrying about the physical alterations that come with age, take some initiative with these habits:

Watch the sun - Err, don't literally watch the sun. Limit your sun exposure. The sun's UV rays can contribute to approximately 90 percent of all signs of age because it breaks down elastin, causing wrinkles and sagging skin to form.

Drink some water - A lot of water. Water is good and refreshing, but it's especially hydrating, which leads to a more radiant complexion. It's recommended to drink eight glasses of water each day. 

Sleep always matters - It's so easy. All you need to do is lay on your bed or sit on your chair and let your mind drift off to slumberland. When you sleep, your body naturally releases chemicals that promote cell turnover. 

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize - Moisturize! Moisturizers consist of humectants and emollients. Humectants help pull water from the air into your skin, while emollients help retain moisture. It's proven stuff and so simple to do. You can even put some moisturizer on while you sleep to double the effects. 

Get exercise in - Of course, exercise will help you look your best and retain a more youthful image in the long term. Regular vigorous exercise, including high-intensity interval training (HIIT), can keep you looking ten years younger than you are.

Alcohol and caffeine need to be limited - I get it. A latte to start your day and a glass of wine to unwind feels essential, but too much of a good thing is never good. Both caffeine and alcohol have been proven to dehydrate your body, so keep it to a minimum. 

Do You Need a Treatment?

While it isn't entirely necessary, it's possible to undergo an aesthetic boosting treatment to improve your image and reverse the hands of time. Perhaps you didn't have the most outstanding health habits as the years have passed (I don't blame you, keeping a rigid regiment is tough), and that desire to undo the damage done is strong. Thankfully, it's entirely possible. And you have a plethora of options, including:

IPL Photofacials: This treatment is excellent for correcting signs of age-related sun damage. An IPL photofacial penetrates all levels of the skin and sloughs off superficial layers to reveal younger skin cells. 

Microneedling: This treatment involves penetrating the skin with fine needles to stimulate collagen and elastin production. Microneedling triggers the body's natural healing response to prompt the regeneration of healthier skin cells. 

PRP Therapy: This unique treatment involves drawing a patient's blood and processing it, so it only consists of beneficial cells with healing properties. The PRP is then injected into the skin to bring about the skin's natural regenerative properties. 

Don't Fear Age - Embrace It

As cliche as it sounds, age is but a number. The natural aging process is inevitable, and you can either embrace it or make due preparations. These preparations involve making healthy changes to your lifestyle, or you can undergo a treatment that significantly reduces signs of age. 

If you want to tackle signs of age, please call my practice at 480-418-3243 or schedule a consultation by clicking this link.