Plastic surgeon reveals ‘single best method’ to reduce signs of aging

Acting your age doesn’t mean you have to look your age. You just have to follow a few simple steps that a plastic surgeon has put you through.

Who says you have to act like a mere mortal when you can reverse the signs of aging with one change to your routine?

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Thou shalt stay away from UV

Plastic surgeon Dr. Brian Forley has shared his best commandment against wrinkled skin.

“Protecting the collagen and elastin fibers in the skin from damage by ultraviolet (UV) rays is the best method of maintaining skin tone,” he told The US Sun.

He said this will “reduce the formation of wrinkles, lines and pigment changes that occur as we age.”

You’re never too young to take one more step to protect your skin: wear sunscreen.

“The effects of photoaging occur gradually, but often defy our best efforts to maintain a youthful appearance,” he said.

You can also soften your skin with some of the anti-aging products it has in its arsenal, like SkinMedica’s HA5 Rejuvenating Hydrator.

Adding this before a moisturizer improves skin hydration by promoting water absorption, he explained.

“A moisturizer helps retain hydration in the skin cells, which ultimately reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles,” he says.

FORGET THIS MODEL

Dr. Forley wants to forbid you from following a fad that he doesn’t believe has any positive effects on your skin: collagen.

He described collagen as a structural protein composed of amino acids and found in abundance in skin and connective tissue throughout the body.

It may seem like a fad, but you’re better off saving your money because the device doesn’t turn back the clock.

“It has recently gained popularity as a dietary supplement or topical cream to reverse the body’s natural decline in testosterone production that occurs with aging,” he said.

“Unfortunately, most claims about the benefits of collagen supplements or creams are unsubstantiated and amount to marketing talk,” he continued.

“The molecular size of collagen prevents it from penetrating the outer layer of the skin when applied topically.

“Collagen is damaged by stomach acid when ingested, making its benefits for the skin uncertain.”

RADICAL APPROACH

To be better equipped in the fight against aging, he advocates a two-pronged strategy to “improve the qualitative aspects of the skin and prevent further damage.”

It all comes down to a radical approach to combating free radicals. Free radicals are the molecules that can damage the structural support of the skin by negatively affecting the integrity of collagen.

“They can be caused by sun exposure or by skin inflammation that often accompanies dry, poorly hydrated skin,” he said.

For your best defense against aging, he recommends using products that contain antioxidants.

His favorite discoveries include Skin Better’s Science Alto Defense Serum and SkinCeuticals’ Phloretin CF.

“Smoothing out existing lines and wrinkles and improving skin tone and texture can be achieved through the use of Defenage,” he said.

He said the brand offers products that promote skin regeneration by stimulating stem cells with the topical application of defensins, small peptides that are part of the immune system.

“It also makes the skin look more radiant and helps reduce hyperpigmentation,” he said.

If you are looking for a ‘scientifically proven’ way to reduce lines and wrinkles by speeding up skin cell turnover, then retinoid products are your best bet.

He even has a solution for people with sensitive skin: Skin Better Science sells an AlphaRet Overnight Cream.

“[This] is designed to enhance the benefits of retinoids, but reduce the irritation that can occur in some patients who regularly use retinoids,” he said.

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