Here's some fascinating news: it turns out that people are judging you -- by your skin. That's according to a recent study conducted at the University of Goettingen in Germany where Drs. Bernhard Fink, Paul J. Matts, and Rolanda Johnson found that men and women are sensitive to the appearance of body skin as it relates to age and attractiveness. More importantly, they found that the skin on your body could be disguising your age (as in making you look younger) or -- giving it away.
So what can you do to assure that your skin is in tip-top shape? We turned to Dr. Lawrence Moy, a Los Angeles, Calif. dermatologist and Johnson (mentioned above, who is a senior scientist for Olay) for advice. They shared the facts on pre-mature aging and what can be done to stop it from overtaking the skin on your body. Here's what they had to say �
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Fact: UV exposure is one of the main causes of premature aging below the neck
Dermatologists agree -- skin that is exposed to harmful UV rays will age the fastest. The reason? "UV radiation destroys skin's natural antioxidants like Vitamins C and E, further reducing skin's defenses against premature aging," says Johnson. Not to mention, skin that's exposed to the sun tends to be high in melanin, which creates an uneven skin tone. Plus, sun exposure makes skin dry and breaks down collagen and elastin, resulting in loose, saggy skin. If that isn't enough to get you hooked on daily SPF application, the study conducted showed that "the appearance of the d�collet� and arms can increase a woman's overall attractiveness" -- so if you slather on the sunscreen and keep your skin looking great, you'll appear more beautiful in general.
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Tip: Use sunblock every single day
Besides avoiding the sun, the next best way to protect your skin from harmful UV rays is by wearing sunscreen. And Moy says, it must be worn everyday and all over your body. Period. That includes your face, your neck, your chest and any other body parts that are exposed. All skin is susceptible to damage. Luckily, you can get SPF in a body lotion like Hissyfit Body Double SPF 30+, $45, which makes wearing your daily protection much easier and more comfortable.
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Fact: Some areas of the body are more prone to premature aging than others
According to Johnson, "specific parts of the body, such as the neck, d�colletage, hands, arms and knees, are most prone to visible signs of aging" because these areas are constantly exposed. Another contributor to aging skin? Pregnancy and weight loss. Both can cause skin to loose elasticity and create stretch marks.
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Tip: Spot treat
While you should care for the skin on your entire body, we realize that you might have a body part (or two) that shows signs of aging much quicker. In that case, spot treat. Look for body products that contain ingredients like retinol or retinoids to stimulate collagen and elastin in the skin to firm it up. Or look for a potent stretch mark cream like Striae Stretchmark Plus Cream, $85 which helps fade stretch marks, minimize the appearance of scars and helps the "skin rebuild itself," says Moy.
Here's some fascinating news: it turns out that people are judging you -- by your skin. That's according to a recent study conducted at the University of Goettingen in Germany where Drs. Bernhard Fink, Paul J. Matts, and Rolanda Johnson found that men and women are sensitive to the appearance of body skin as it relates to age and attractiveness. More importantly, they found that the skin on your body could be disguising your age (as in making you look younger) or -- giving it away.
So what can you do to assure that your skin is in tip-top shape? We turned to Dr. Lawrence Moy, a Los Angeles, Calif. dermatologist and Johnson (mentioned above, who is a senior scientist for Olay) for advice. They shared the facts on pre-mature aging and what can be done to stop it from overtaking the skin on your body. Here's what they had to say �
