6 Myths about Aging

Shocking but true:  From 2000 to 2010, the number of people getting Botox in the U.S. increased by 584 percent

Myth #1:  If your makeup has SPF,  you're covered.

Reality:  Unless you are slathering yourself in foundation, your coverage is inadequate.  Dr. Brandt recommends wearing at least a teaspoonful of sunscreen on your face everyday. "Protecting your skin from the sun lets the repair enzymes shift from defending skin to healing it."

Myth #2:  The more you exfoliate, the better.

Reality:  Though it's important to remove dead cells regularly so your skin will reflect more light and will be better absorbed treatment products, doing it too often can be so irritating that you won't be able to use other anti-aging products, like retinoid.  The ideal: Exfoliate just once a week with an at-home microderm system or peel.


Myth #3:  Looking old is all about wrinkles

Reality:  While he's frozen many a frown line with his well-publicized use of Botox, Dr. Brandt says women spend too much time focusing on tiny fine lines that don't have a big impact on their appearance. "It's the changes in the shape of your face - sunken cheeks, under-eye hollowing - that really show your age." After 40, most women get more "bang for their buck" with hyaluronic acid-based fillers like Restylane that plump up the entire face.

Myth #4:  Your face if peeling, so you can't tolerate retinoids

Reality:  The redness and itching many people feel when they first add these vitamin A-based creams to their regimen are "all part of the acclimation process," says Dr. Brandt. To see results, he says, you have to persist. If it's too uncomfortable, he suggests using retinoid every third night. After 2 weeks, go to every second night, then every night. Or try leaving these products on for just 5 minutes a night before rinsing them off.

Myth #5:  The older you get, the more foundation you need.

Reality:  Actually, the reverse is true. "As you age," Dr. Brandt says, "base tends to settle into wrinkles and lines, which makes skin look duller." This is especially problematic for women over 40, who have already lost some luminosity as the turnover rate of their skin cells has slowed. Your best bet? Apply a light-weight tinted moisturizer instead of a heavy foundation. If it gets worse, see a dermatologist to fix the uneven skin tone that you're tempted to cover up.

Myth#6:  SPF matters only on your face

Reality:  One word: turtleneck :). If you don't protect your neck now with SPF, prepare to be covering up in your 50's. Already seeing lines? Don't worry - be proactive. The same age-fighting ingredients you put on your face can be applied below the chin too. Just be careful with the big guns, like retinol and acids. "The skin on the neck is more sensitive," says Dr. Brandt, who advises you use retinol on this fragile are no more than 2 or 3 times a week.


(Source InStyle March 2012)