Dermatologists Reveal 3 Signs of Early Aging
And How to Maintain Your Youthful Glow
Your 20s might be when you start to notice fine lines, wrinkles, and other signs of aging.
And if you’re like most, you’ll start asking yourself: ‘Why is this happening?’ and “What can I do about it?”
To answer these questions, the skincare experts at Allure wrote an article revealing 3 early signs of aging, as told by Dermatologists. Are you experiencing any of these signs?
Read on to find out, and learn what you can do to prevent further aging:
1. First Signs of Sun Spots
In our 20s, ‘the mistakes of our past start to catch up to us, usually in the form of sun damage,’ says Dendy Engelman, a dermatologist in New York City. UV-damaged cells eventually reach the skin’s surface (think freckles or hyperpigmentation), and they’re sometimes so subtle that only your facialist and her magnifying mirror will notice.
Engelman recommends using a product with hydroquinone to help fade brown spots, or working a retinol product into your routine to help speed up cell turnover, which will allow skin to rebound more quickly. ‘Retinol helps diminish the appearance of sun spots, minimize the appearance of pores, and even reduce blemishes,’ says Engelman. So in case you didn’t already know, it’s pretty much magic.
But simply treating sun damage on the surface isn’t the end of it—dermatologists also urge young clients to step up their prevention game: ‘Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB ultraviolet rays to help reverse damage and prevent more from occurring,’ says David E. Bank, a dermatologist in Mount Kisco, New York. We’ve said it before: Sunscreen is the best anti-aging product you can buy.
2. Teeny, Tiny Fine Lines
It’s a major bummer to see your makeup settling into fine lines that you could have sworn weren’t there last week. If a coat of moisturizer isn’t doing the trick, here’s a two-pronged approach to try: First, change your makeup. ‘As we begin to age, our skin can get very dry, and the wrong formulas will emphasize the lines,’ says Engelman. ‘Avoid using powders, as they absorb oil and moisture.’
Switch to a cream foundation or tinted moisturizer and apply a line-filling primer beforehand to create a smooth surface. Then, to help soften the appearance of fine lines, Bank suggests using an at-home glycolic acid peel. Using one regularly every couple of days will slough away dull, patchy cells on skin’s surface, making fine lines less apparent.
3. Crow’s-Feet
‘The area where my twenty-something patients really notice signs of aging are the crow’s-feet,’ says Doris Day, a dermatologist in New York City. Her solution is three-pronged: ‘You need a good pair of sunglasses so you don’t squint, sunscreen to prevent damage in the first place, and a retinol product to rejuvenate the wrinkled skin.’
If you’re worried that an eye cream with retinol might cause irritation, you can focus on finding one with an antioxidant, says Engelman, who likes products that contain idebenone.
‘Sun and pollution expose skin to destructive molecules called free radicals, which can damage collagen, elastin, and ceramides your skin needs to stay smooth, causing premature aging,’ she explains. Regular use of an antioxidant eye cream can help to reverse the damage.”
