A few tell-tale signs may give away your years (and then some), but these easy tricks will help keep you looking ageless.
By Cheryl Kramer Kaye, Redbook
Yes, we've heard it endlessly for years — wrinkles make you look old, and a fresh, rosy glow makes you look young. But honestly, a few smile lines mean a life well-lived, right? If you're worried though, these common skin conditions often tack on more years than you might want.
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LARGE PORES
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Make you look: Three years older
Why: Accumulated sun damage can cause the support structure of the pores to sag, making them look wider. Pores are also more noticeable when they're clogged.
Quick fixes: "Imagine that each pore is in the shape of a V — wider at the surface," explains Amy Wechsler, M.D., whose board certifications in dermatology and psychiatry put her in a unique position to assess both the mechanical aspects of aging and the mental facets of perceived age.
"Anything that exfoliates will help keep pores clear and looking smaller," says Wechsler. Try topical retinoids (like prescription Renova or Atralin) and salicylic acid products. And, of course, always wear sunscreen to prevent sun damage and sagging.
Bigger solve: In-office treatments, like microdermabrasion and chemical peels, will remove the top layer of skin, eliminating the widest part of the pore and making the opening seem smaller.
THINNING HAIR
Makes you look: three years older
Why: Have you ever seen a woman from behind with long, thick hair, then been surprised to see an older face when she turns around? Subconsciously, we think of thick hair as a "young" trait.
Quick fixes: "Eating a diet rich in folate and iron can help nourish hair's roots," Wechsler says. Also, she notes, "avoid overstressing your hair repeatedly with tight ponytails or braids, which can cause permanent hair loss." There a slew of hair-volumizing products that can also help. One to try: Living Proof Full Thickening Mousse, which bulks up individual strands so hair also feels thicker.
Bigger solve: If your hair is thinning noticeably and quickly and there isn't an obvious reason for it (like you recently had a baby, or just stopped breast-feeding), see your doctor to have your thyroid checked.
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CHEST FRECKLES
Make you look: 10 years older
Why: "These are what our grandparents called liver spots and some people call age spots," Wechsler says. But even though they're associated with aging, "they're absolutely a result of sun damage. I've seen 20-year-olds with chests so mottled that they shocked me!"
Quick fixes: "Averting chest freckles is more than just a matter of applying some sunscreen when you go outside," Wechsler says. You'll also want to wear clothing that covers your chest, and reapply your sunscreen throughout the day.
Bigger solve: In-office chemical peels and a new Fraxel laser for pigmentation problems can make a big dent in the dark spots. Retin-A or hydroquinone, a melanin-inhibiting agent, can help lighten the brown areas.
PENCIL-THIN EYEBROWS
Make you look: five years older
Why: While testosterone causes men's eyebrows to grow wild as they get older, women's brows thin out after years of waxing and tweezing.
Quick fixes: "Don't overwax or overpluck," Wechsler advises. "You can damage the follicles to the point where the hairs won't grow back." To shape brows without follicle damage, try the Christi Harris Precision Brow Planer, which trims brow hairs at the surface rather than removing them at the root. French brand Talika has a cult brow product worth trying: Eyebrow Lipocils, which promotes growth, and Wechsler recommends taking a 5mg oral biotin supplement to make hair stronger.
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THINNING EYELASHES
Make you look: two years older
Why: Think of the ingenue who bats her long, fluttery lashes. In general, "we associate full hair, anywhere on the body, with youth," says Wechsler.
Quick fixes: "It's hard to mess up your eyelashes," Wechsler says, "but you should still treat them gently." Use a makeup remover designed to take off mascara — and no rubbing! Latisse, the FDA-approved lash grower, can also help. Or try over-the-counter lash conditioners, which make lashes look thicker.
THICK, YELLOW FINGERNAILS
Make you look: five years older
Why they're aging: A study published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery compared bare fingers to ones that were "dressed up" with nail polish and jewelry, and found that naked nails were perceived as older. That could be because the polish disguised thickness and yellowing, which are "associated with illness, and hence aging," Wechsler explains.
Quick fixes: "The effect of a bad diet shows up in your nails," Wechsler says. Vitamin and moisture deficiencies make nails look lousy, so eat a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein. Wechsler also suggests Carmol cream to hydrate nail beds, plus a biotin supplement for strength.
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A THIN FACE
Makes you look: four years older
Why they're aging: For once, having some meat on your bones pays off: Women 40 and older who have a slightly higher body mass index look younger than their skinnier counterparts, according to a study at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. Why? "When you lose weight, you lose fat in your face, making cheeks look hollow and aged," Wechsler explains.
Quick fixes: Avoid yo-yo dieting, which will max out your skin's elasticity and make it sag. Nigara suggests making cheeks appear fuller by bringing focus to the roundest part: "Apply a cream highlighter to the apples of the cheeks, then a bronzer under the cheekbones."
