JULY 26- Age is now a thing of the past. At least that is what it seems like, looking at the rising number of over-40 celebrities who can easily give their much younger counterparts a run for their money.
From Sharon Stone(55) and Nicole Kidman(46) to Neetu Singh(55) and Sridevi(49), we have some wonderful role models to look up to, who have made turning back time seem easier than ever.
Older, wiser and better, these women have proved that age is just a number.
Unlike their predecessors, they neither suffer under the pressure of ‘staying young’ nor do the ‘vanishing act’.
Rather than fighting ageing or making desperate attempts to look younger, they are confronting their age and facing the flashbulbs upfront, with an unmistakable confidence and invincible attitude.
Ditching the notion of “forever young’, they are fuelling the trend of ‘ageing gracefully’.
“Sure, these stunners get the best of antiageing advice from world class skin docs, experts and nutritionists.
However, they are also extremely dedicated to their skin care and fitness regimens, instead of being concerned about it only around an important event, party or wedding.
You don’t need fancy things to keep your skin healthy, just be more regular with your skin care routine,” claims leading dermatologist, Dr Chiranjiv Chhabra.
Redefining the rules of ageing, these disciplined women think skin smart. They choose the brush over Botox and prefer indulging in a rejuvenating massage rather than in calories.
Taking a cue from these A-listers, we get to you the best anti-ageing tips and tricks that will help you flaunt great skin at every age.
Start early
“As you sow, so shall you reap”- the saying holds true for both karma as well as your skin. The way you treat your skin in your 20s’ and 30s’ directly impacts how your skin is going to be post-40.
“Establish healthy patterns of eating and physical activity that will last a lifetime. You need to look after your skin inside out and practice a skin care routine religiously,” advises Avni Amlani,Education Director, Dermalogica India.
Skin savvy
There has never been a better time to age. From wrinkle reversing creams to age-spot-zapping serums, women today have so many options to fool time.
“Some of these formulas are powerful enough to produce results that were formerly only possible with cosmetic procedures, being aptly named ‘efficacy in a jar’.
They contain very effective ingredients like retinol, Vitamin C and alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), to name a few, that can produce excellent results,” explains Dr Varun Katyal, anti-ageing specialist, The Skin Centre, Delhi.
Moisturise more
Skin loses moisture as we age and the drier it gets, the more wrinkled it appears. “At night, use plenty of moisturiser on the face, neck and around the eyes to allow maximum nourishment of the dermis and epidermis layers of skin as they are more receptive and absorbent when you are sleeping.
This will also prevent the build-up of wrinkles,” suggests J Tara Herron, Director, The Imperial Spa and Salon, New Delhi. Skin regenerates and rejuvenates at night, so it’s ideal to have the best skin care regimen at night to help boost the process.
Sun guard
Sun exposure speeds up the rate of collagen breakdown, leading to pigmentation, age spots and fine wrinkles appearing early in life!
“Choose a sunscreen that provides broad-spectrum protection, preferably products that block both ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays).
If your skin is extra sensitive to the sun, use a sunscreen with a higher SPF.
Always apply the sunscreen at least 30 minutes before exposure to the sun,” suggests Dr Katyal.
Add warmth
“Take a cue from actors like Neetu Singh and Sridevi, who swear by ‘less is more’ as far as make-up goes.
Invest in a good primer for the face and eyes, and apply the base to your neck and face for a flawless finish,” says Bollywood make-up expert Puja Taluja.
Adds international make-up artist Ishika Taneja, “Light-reflecting makeup products are the easiest route to a flattering, youthful glow.
Pick warm colours and highlight your cheekbones with a soft blush.” Plus, an eyelash curler, lash-lengthening mascara, gel eyeliner and brow powder can instantly make one look younger.
Mane matters
While making an anti-ageing plan, keep in mind your hair too!
Healthy and shiny hair is a good cover-up for ageing skin. Cover your grays as rich, lustrous hair looks really youthful.
“Pre-condition your hair with almond or coconut oil before every wash.
You can also apply milk to your scalp with a cotton swab for deep conditioning. Ditch the drier and sun-dry your hair for at least 15 minutes,” states Dr Chhabra. Include more protein in your diet for healthy hair.
Get moving
If you feel younger, you will look younger.
Regular exercise helps with this, preventing the arterial ageing that contributes to memory loss and improves muscle mass as well.
“Weight training is excellent to fight sagging skin as it tones the muscles.
Pranayams (breathing exercises) increase internal strength and thus, you look rejuvenated. To boost the blood circulation in the body, Surya Namaskar is the ideal option,” says fitness expert Sonia Bajaj.
Eat sensibly
What you eat makes a huge difference in the health of your skin.
To keep skin radiant and happy, include more vitamin E (helps in skin regeneration), vitamin C (boosts collagen reformation) and antioxidants (fight free radicals).
“Aloe vera has anti-inflammatory properties, broccoli detoxifies, salmon is high in Omega 3 and carrot is a rich source of Beta carotene, which helps in skin renewal,” says Dr Somya Shrivastava, Head of Dietitics Department, Max Hospital, Saket.
Drink a lot of water to flush out the toxins.
Sleep well
An hour before midnight is worth two after!
Not only does the skin require downtime to repair itself, the sagging skin and puffiness around the eyes due to lack of sleep can make wrinkles look much worse.
Avoid caffeine before sleep, instead gently massage your eyes with a soothing eye gel, rub some lavender oil on your feet and press snooze.
De-stress
Stress causes cells to age faster, which absolutely shows on the skin.
“As a woman, you need to work on your inner contentment and serenity through finding peace in meditation and activities that produce essential happy-feeling neuro-chemicals and hormones that regenerate the body,” states Herron.
INDIA TODAY
