From big-picture changes to everyday improvements, we could all benefit from a little expert advice on how to look our absolute best. For in-depth interviews on topics like plastic surgery and skin care you can visit Younger.com's Ask an Expert section, but for a quick peek at some of our most helpful and important inside tips, just check out a few of our experts' answers to these questions below:
How to Hit the Ground Running
Younger.com: Improving on bad habits and ineffective beauty routines is always difficult – what would you say is the best way to kick off a fresh regime and stay on the right track to improvement?
Dr. Karen Allen: Definitely see a dermatologist. I think a lot of patients are unwilling to take that first step because they see it as unnecessary, but individual skin chemistry varies widely, and they end up wasting a great deal of time and money on products that are ineffective. Another mistake I see people make is to never go in for a repeat visit once they hit middle age. Your skin changes over time, and what's right for your skin at 20 may be completely wrong for it at 40.
Dr. David Marquis: I have all of my patients undergo a basic round of tests that examine everything from hormone levels to food sensitivities, brain chemistry, and sources of inflammation. Effective treatments have to start with an accurate profile of where you are now, whether your goals are aesthetic or clinical.
Where the "Average" Person Goes Wrong
Younger.com: When it comes to aesthetics, there are plenty of myths and misconceptions out there about what are "must-have" habits and what steps are just "optional" to help support a good beauty regimen. What do you think the average person is missing?
Dr. Allen: Definitely sun protection. Sun damage is an obvious health risk, but as a result of all the damage it creates it also ages the face very quickly. The damage it causes to tissues is quite staggering, and if more women realized it they would be protecting themselves much better. I always paraphrase Oprah on this one – the 3 beauty products that every woman should use are sunscreen, sunscreen, and sunscreen! Along with that I would say proper water intake is essential for healthy tissues.
Dr. Marquis: Hydration is always a must – most of the patients who come to me are not drinking anywhere near half their body weight in water per day, which is what I recommend to help clear out inflammation and flush out toxins. Beyond that, I'm a strong advocate of whole foods dieting and a few detox programs. Our bodies play host to a great deal of waste, and clearing that out is the first step toward healing.
Big Changes for Better Results
Younger.com: When you've talked with us before, you've both emphasized the importance of larger lifestyle changes to help facilitate healthier bodies and a fresher look. If you had to pick one factor to help our readers change, what would it be?
Dr. Marquis: Minimize worry, stress, and anger, and take time to enjoy life. I've talked before about the detrimental ways these emotions can have on the body, but many patients just are not aware how much of their own health and appearance is really under their control. Making changes that facilitate a positive perspective has visible, obvious effects.
Dr. Allen: Along with nutrition and hydration, which we have both mentioned already, I'm going to have to agree that stress is immense. One study recently looked at the faces of twins, comparing their stress levels and the aging characteristics evident in factors like skin quality, ptosis (sagging), and wrinkles, and the stressed twins looked much, much older. I think we know instinctively that stress ages us, but it's another thing to translate that concept into changing our habits and being easier on ourselves.
Karen Allen, MD is a board-certified Central Coast, California dermatologist who earned her medical doctorate from the University of California, Irvine, and focuses on both clinical and aesthetic for dermatology treatments from her offices in Templeton, California.
David Marquis, DC, DACBN (http://www.drdavidmarquis.com) is a doctor of chiropractic board-certified by the American Clinical Board of Nutrition and offering integrative medical approaches from his offices in Arroyo Grande, California.
How to Hit the Ground Running
Younger.com: Improving on bad habits and ineffective beauty routines is always difficult – what would you say is the best way to kick off a fresh regime and stay on the right track to improvement?
Dr. Karen Allen: Definitely see a dermatologist. I think a lot of patients are unwilling to take that first step because they see it as unnecessary, but individual skin chemistry varies widely, and they end up wasting a great deal of time and money on products that are ineffective. Another mistake I see people make is to never go in for a repeat visit once they hit middle age. Your skin changes over time, and what's right for your skin at 20 may be completely wrong for it at 40.
Dr. David Marquis: I have all of my patients undergo a basic round of tests that examine everything from hormone levels to food sensitivities, brain chemistry, and sources of inflammation. Effective treatments have to start with an accurate profile of where you are now, whether your goals are aesthetic or clinical.
Where the "Average" Person Goes Wrong
Younger.com: When it comes to aesthetics, there are plenty of myths and misconceptions out there about what are "must-have" habits and what steps are just "optional" to help support a good beauty regimen. What do you think the average person is missing?
Dr. Allen: Definitely sun protection. Sun damage is an obvious health risk, but as a result of all the damage it creates it also ages the face very quickly. The damage it causes to tissues is quite staggering, and if more women realized it they would be protecting themselves much better. I always paraphrase Oprah on this one – the 3 beauty products that every woman should use are sunscreen, sunscreen, and sunscreen! Along with that I would say proper water intake is essential for healthy tissues.
Dr. Marquis: Hydration is always a must – most of the patients who come to me are not drinking anywhere near half their body weight in water per day, which is what I recommend to help clear out inflammation and flush out toxins. Beyond that, I'm a strong advocate of whole foods dieting and a few detox programs. Our bodies play host to a great deal of waste, and clearing that out is the first step toward healing.
Big Changes for Better Results
Younger.com: When you've talked with us before, you've both emphasized the importance of larger lifestyle changes to help facilitate healthier bodies and a fresher look. If you had to pick one factor to help our readers change, what would it be?
Dr. Marquis: Minimize worry, stress, and anger, and take time to enjoy life. I've talked before about the detrimental ways these emotions can have on the body, but many patients just are not aware how much of their own health and appearance is really under their control. Making changes that facilitate a positive perspective has visible, obvious effects.
Dr. Allen: Along with nutrition and hydration, which we have both mentioned already, I'm going to have to agree that stress is immense. One study recently looked at the faces of twins, comparing their stress levels and the aging characteristics evident in factors like skin quality, ptosis (sagging), and wrinkles, and the stressed twins looked much, much older. I think we know instinctively that stress ages us, but it's another thing to translate that concept into changing our habits and being easier on ourselves.
Karen Allen, MD is a board-certified Central Coast, California dermatologist who earned her medical doctorate from the University of California, Irvine, and focuses on both clinical and aesthetic for dermatology treatments from her offices in Templeton, California.
David Marquis, DC, DACBN (http://www.drdavidmarquis.com) is a doctor of chiropractic board-certified by the American Clinical Board of Nutrition and offering integrative medical approaches from his offices in Arroyo Grande, California.
