How to: Fight signs of early aging

If asking a woman her age is a faux pas, assuming she’s older than she is can lead to a major meltdown. And even though we cumulatively spend crores on anti-aging products every year, we make some basic skincare mistakes like skipping the SPF or forgetting to moisturize that add unflattering years to our skin. We asked skin expert Dr. Malvika Kohli and Dr. Kalpana Sarangi, ‘Consulting Cosmetic Dermatologist & Olay ACRC India Representative, what the most common skin problems were that made you look older than you are and what you should be doing about them.

The 6 most common problems that add years to your face:

1. Dull, dry and rough skin
2. Pigmentation and uneven skin tone
3. Dark circles and puffy eyes
4. Fine lines
5. Sagging skin

Causes: “Many of the external causes of ageing skin are determined by the health and lifestyle decisions you make every day. Making unhealthy choices can cause pre-mature skin ageing which makes one look older faster,” says Dr. Kalpana Sarangi. Dr. Kohli adds “causative factors like genetics and sun exposure, hormonal changes and habits like smoking” to the list.

Prevention: Being more assiduous about your daily skincare routine will go a long way in getting your skin back to its original state. Dr. Sarangi advises “proper daily skin care with a gentle cleanser, toner, exfoliants, moisturisers (with anti-oxidants or/and skin-friendly vitamins), skin lightening agents, under-eye creams, anti-ageing products” as part of your beauty arsenal.

Protection: Protecting skin from sun is very important. “Everyone needs to use sunscreen,” emphasizes Dr. Kohli, “Asians especially are prone to pigmentation and photodamage more than skin cancer. Hence it’s important to use sunscreen regularly.” She recommends using it every day and not just when you’re stepping out in the sun.

Enhance: To combat existing damage and ageing signs, Dr. Kohli says, “This can be easily achieved through rejuvenating treatments and relooking your skin’s current needs.” Procedures like chemical peels, dermabrasion, laser therapy and others can make a distinct difference to your skin, but any treatment needs to be specifically tailored to each person.