Think the early twenties is too soon to see signs of aging skin? Dermatologists see them commonly.
“The earliest signs of aging really start around the eyes. You can start to see some fine lines, and then on the face in general, some broken blood vessels and sun spots,” says Doris Day, MD, a dermatologist in private practice in New York City and clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York University Medical Center. Typically, the more sun exposure, the greater the damage, she says.
Fortunately, the twenties and thirties are also prime decades for women to learn how to counter sun damage and other factors that age the skin, says Heidi Waldorf, MD, an associate clinical professor of dermatology at the Mount Sinai School of Medicine. She is also director of laser and cosmetic dermatology at the Mount Sinai Medical Center.
“What you do for your skin or against your skin will have ramifications as you age,” she says.
First, younger women must understand the pitfalls. For instance, Waldorf sees many who still embrace tanning. Often, they wrongly believe that skin aging is something to worry about down the road, not in their youth, Waldorf says.
Another common habit that damages young skin: smoking. Among other ill effects, smoking can cause premature wrinkles and a sallow complexion, says Day, author of the book, “Forget the Facelift: Turning Back the Clock with a Revolutionary Program for Ageless Skin.”
“Unfortunately, younger women are still smoking,” Day says. “It’s one of the worst things -- after sun -- to do to your skin.”
Later, in the thirties, the face loses fat, lines deepen, the skin develops deeper folds, and jowls may begin to form. “As we enter our thirties, that’s when more of the most significant changes start to happen to our skin and the underlying structures,” Waldorf says.
Signs of aging may still subtle in the thirties, Day says, “but it’s a nice time to start to address it because a little bit goes a long way.”
10 Anti-Aging Tips
How to keep your skin looking youthful in your twenties, thirties and beyond? Here are tips from the dermatologists.
1. Use sunscreen liberally.
For daily wear, choose a sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15, Waldorf says, particularly if you don’t expect to be outdoors or it’s not a sunny time of year. If it’s a sunnier season, step up to at least a 30 SPF, she recommends.
Sunscreens help protect against UVB, which are the sun’s most dangerous burning rays, Day says. But don’t rely on sunscreen alone. If possible, try to limit your sun exposure from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., when UVB rays are strongest, she says.
