Anti-Aging Myth #1: Good Genetics Mean Fewer Wrinkles
While there is some truth to the genetic angle, lifestyle factors play a more significant role in determining how quickly skin begins to show signs of aging. For example, a mother could just be developing fine lines in her 60s, but she has always worn sunscreen and followed a healthy diet for her whole life. Her daughter, on the other hand, enjoys more fast food, spends long days on the beach, and often forgets her sunscreen in the car. Regardless of her mother’s genetics, the daughter’s neglect for her skin health means she’s more likely to experience pigmentation, enlarged pores, and even adult acne with potential scarring—all factors that can make her appear older, much earlier.
Anti-Aging Myth #2: Prevent Wrinkles and Look Younger
We get the logic in this myth: wrinkles are associated with old age, so the more wrinkles one has—particularly deeper wrinkles—the older they appear. Again, there’s some truth here. But believing in this myth often means other signs of aging are overlooked. For example, did you know that Hollywood makeup artists paint brown spots on younger actors to instantly age them for the camera? A study published in the Journal of Evolution and Human Behavior found a strong link between perception of age and skin pigmentation. For this reason, your regular anti-aging skin care regimen shouldn’t target wrinkles alone; prevention of sun damage, pigmentation, and thinning skin should be factored in as well.
Anti-Aging Myth #3: Fine Lines Signal Unhealthy Skin
When all is said and done, all skin looks just as healthy under a microscope, whether from a wrinkled or smooth complexion. Fine lines and wrinkles are simply a sign that your skin is producing less collagen, a protein that keeps skin smooth and soft in our younger years. Boosting collagen levels can help to prevent changes to skin’s appearance and texture, but smoothing out wrinkles and fine lines won’t improve cases of adult acne or dry skin, for instance, as aging is not the root cause of these problems. Essentially, eliminating wrinkles may lead to younger-looking skin, but it won’t automatically make your skin healthier—which takes us to our next myth.
Anti-Aging Myth #4: Moisturizer is the Magic Key to Youth
Moisturizer helps to seal in the skin’s moisture and improve the strength of the skin’s lipid barrier, which is to say that it helps keep out bacteria, pollutants, and even UV light (provided that it contains broad spectrum sun protection). Having said that, department store anti-aging moisturizers, which the majority of consumers use, don’t often carry through with the anti-aging promises printed on their bottles. Dermatologists and medical aesthetic practitioners may be able to suggest a more potent anti-aging moisturizer that offers improved results. However, when it comes down to the nitty-gritty details, a moisturizer alone isn’t likely to cut it.
For more effective—and faster—results, consider non-surgical radio frequency treatments that use heat to kick-start skin’s natural collagen production cycle. A personalized treatment plan, coupled with a quality anti-aging moisturizer that contains scientifically proven ingredients, may be your best bet for smoother, younger-looking skin without going under the knife.
To explore a customized treatment plan for your skin based on your needs, locate a provider near you using the search below.
