|
Yes, we know, wrinkles make you look old and a fresh, rosy glow makes you look young. But there are other, more surprising ways your appearance can age you (or shave a few years off!) Here's what might get you called miss and what might get you called ma'am.
What makes you look older?
Large pores and enlarged oil glands: +3 Years
Accumulated sun damage can cause the support structure of the pores to sag, making them look wider. Also, chronic sun exposure lead to large blackheads. Pores are also more noticeable when they are clogged. Enlarged oil glands are small yellowish bumps with a central dimple that occur more commonly in oily skin patients and with age.
Have them? How to get rid of them:
"Imagine that each pore is the shape of a V - wider at the surface" explains Dr. DeEtta Gray". Certain procedures performed in our office such as chemical peels and fractionated CO2 laser resurfacing will remove the top dead layer of our skin, eliminating the widest part of our pore and making the opening seem smaller. Enlarged oil glands or "sebaceous hyperplasia" may be treated with an electrocautery needle leeding to temporary crusting and shrinkage of the top of the gland.
Avoid them:
"Anything that exfoliates your skin will help keep pores clearer and looking smaller" says Dr. Gray. Toprical retinoids like Renova or Atralin, glycolic acids like Vivite, or Salacylic acid products will help. Of course, always wear sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher like Elta MD.
Chest Freckles: +10 Years
These are what our grandparents called liver spots and some people call "age spots". These are absolutely a result of sunburns and sun damage. Dr. Gray has seen 20 year olds with chests so mottled that they are shocking!
Have them? How to get rid of them:
Renova (tretinoin) or Epiquin Micro (4% hydroquinone), a melanin-inhibiting agent, can help lighten the brown areas over time. Even more effective are in office deeper chemical peels such as TCA, IPL (Photorejuvenation), or Fractionated CO2 laser resurfacing.
Avoid them: Averting chest freckles takes more than just applying sunscreen periodically when you go outside. Dr. Gray says "you will need to use a good UVA/UVB sunblock and reapply every 2-3 hours or where sun protective clothing.
Broken Blood Vessesl: +5 Years
These are tiny, red veins that appear on the face (especially around the nose) and on the chest. They can occur genetically, as part of Rosacea, or from sun damage.
Have Them? How to get rid of them: Vbeam laser or IPL (Photorejuvenation) treatments can help make these "telangiectasia" disappear over one-several treatments. These procedures have next to no down time.
Avoid them: Minimize sun exposure and use sunscreen regularily. Minimize alcohol and other triggers for flushing like saunas and long hot showers. | 
