As an integrative/anti-aging physician, I want to first clarify that “anti-aging” is not meant to instill fear in the aging process. I prefer to use the term “optimal aging,” because it allows us to embrace aging gracefully. One of my biggest passions in life, both personally and professionally, is living a healthy life to preserve mental and physical youthfulness.
How can I stop my face from aging?
The first thing to remember is that our skin is the largest organ and is the barrier between the external and internal world of our body. Treat your body like a temple, and that means to pay close attention to what you put on your skin because whatever it is, it will get absorbed right into the bloodstream, just as a sponge absorbs water. Always remember to use organic sunscreen, especially if you live in a place where the sun is strong throughout the year because that means spending more time outdoors. Sun damage is one of the number one causes of premature aging skin and wrinkles and pigmentary changes. Use medical-grade skincare, not cheap products from any store. Harmful preservatives and ingredients can be just as detrimental to the skin as sun damage. Smoking, drug use, and excess alcohol consumption also will accelerate the aging process of the skin.
What are some tips to age well?
I follow my four pillars of a healthy lifestyle and I preach this to all my patients: clean diet, exercise, restorative sleep, and stress reduction. If you follow these simple rules, you have unlocked the secrets to the fountain of youth. And though I say these are simple pillars to follow, they are also challenging in the fast-paced and hectic world we live in, so make sure to take time out to discipline yourself. Get in-depth labs to assess for micronutrient deficiencies and gut health issues.
Photo Credit: ShutterstockWhat treatments do you recommend for healthy aging?
It is definitely important to work from the inside out, but I will discuss that further in just a moment. Our physical appearance is a tell-tale sign of the type of life we live. I always say, vanity is sanity. Talk to your physician about skincare regimens and protocols in addition to medical-grade skincare. I recommend erbium or CO2 skin laser resurfacing and RF microneedling. My favorite devices are the Secret Pro by Cutera which combines RF microneedling and CO2 laser along with the Juliet by Cutera for erbium laser and the Vivace for RF microneedling. High-quality chemical peels, dermablading, and microdermabrasion are great to keep the skin soft and smooth. I love my HydraFacial device for exfoliation and infusion of amazing serums. All these above-mentioned modalities boost collagenesis while allowing new skin to grow by targeting regrowth from the dermal layer. LED light therapy is also wonderful for the skin along with jade facial rollers to help with lymphatic drainage and good circulation. In conjunction with the use of hyaluronic acid fillers and neuromodulators, the skin can be kept youthful and radiant. This is all preventative maintenance, and it is never too early to start.
Are there healthy sources you recommend?
As a plant-based physician, the most important factor for me is a clean diet because food can either be our medicine, or our poison. Choose wisely what you put into your body. Limiting the consumption of inflammatory foods such as dairy and meat and refined/processed sugars, for example, will help slow down the aging process internally and externally. Exercise is an amazing way to maintain youth for many reasons. It keeps our muscles limber, our brain active, and allows all the systems of the body to harmonize and work synergistically. Getting adequate sleep is underrated. I cannot stress how important proper sleep hygiene is. It is not okay to skimp on sleep as the body will be imbalanced and give way to chronic inflammation and hormonal disturbance. Always remember, and I live by this pearl…We are not our age, we are our energy. Age is just a number. Treat your body like a temple because it is the only place you have to live in.
