Amazingy Guides: Ageing Gracefully For Men

by Alana Bonnemann
May 11, 2015
in News, Skin Care
0

Ageing is a natural and inevitable process, which will catch up to all of us, at some point or another. Whilst women are more likely to try and ward off the effects of ageing, it is not uncommon for men to wonder if there is anything they can do to prevent ageing, and, if so, what exactly they can do.

Guys, the short answer to your question is: yes, it is possible to resist early signs of ageing. However, in order to do so, you must adopt certain, perhaps unfamiliar, daily habits and a few grooming products into your new routine to ease your transition.

What Causes Ageing

Intrinsic and extrinsic factors are the two obvious origins of ageing. Intrinsic refers to one’s genetic predisposition, and extrinsic is how one is affected by the environment. There is not much we can do to change the intrinsic causes. Extrinsic factors, on the other hand, are determined by our lifestyle, thus we have full control over them. This includes, but is not limited to: sun exposure, diet, alcohol consumption, smoking, sleep, stress load, and many other pollutants and toxic exposures. These external factors can all be monitored to ensure that the skin ages in a graceful and flattering manner.

Differences in ageing for Men

Biological differences between the genders manifest themselves in both physical and psychological aspects. Men produce more of the hormone testosterone, which makes their skin thicker and the texture of their skin tougher. Sebum (oil) production is also greater in men and their skin’s collagen density is higher, making male skin look younger. According to an article in the Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, men’s health and attractiveness can be determined by one of two things: 1) how toned their skin is, or, 2) how even their complexion is. Undoubtedly, the subtle wrinkling of the skin over the years is a main indicator of ageing, and understandably, it is one of the first things people think of as a sign of old age.

How to prevent wrinkles and smooth out creases

Avoid becoming a sun raisin

‘Sun Raisins’ is the nickname we gave to the folks in my coastal hometown in Australia, who spent too much time in the sun. Sadly, these ‘raisins’ were doing their sun bathing without proper protection and, so, as the name suggests, they were all wrinkled up as a result of prolonged and constant exposure to the sun’s damaging UV rays. From my observation, not only did this lead to premature wrinkles, but to add insult to injury, there was the bonus of leathery skin, and what’s more—age spots!
While there’s no doubt that vitamin D provided by the sun plays an important role in preventing ageing and other geriatric conditions, too much will add years to your appearance. If you’re going to be out in the midday summer sun for more than 20 minutes, a neutral fragrance free sunscreen is an easy way to keep skin moisturised and protected.

Here’s another tip: on days when the sun is so bright you have to squint in order to see, wear sunglasses. Sunglasses were not just invented to make you look cool. Squinting causes wrinkles next to your eyes (commonly known as crow’s feet). So, wear sunglasses for what they were originally designed to do—to help you see in the gleaming sunlight without having to squint!

Stay hydrated

Have you ever noticed those small creases around your eyes that appear one day, only to have vanished the next? That, my friend, is a sure sign of dehydration. Water plays a key role not only in our body’s health, but also in its external appearance. It contributes to molecular interaction, carries and distributes nutrients, and cleanses the body of toxins. When the body is in a state of dehydration, it releases the stress hormone cortisol, and we all know too well that stress and ageing go hand in hand. How much water one should drink per day depends on the age, fitness, surrounding climate, occupation, and overall health of an individual. But no matter what, keeping your body hydrated will ensure that your skin cells stay soft and youthful.
Keep in mind—mornings are when we are usually the most dehydrated, and since coffee is a mild diuretic (meaning it dehydrates you because it makes you urinate), two glasses of water first thing in the morning is substantially better for your health than a cup of coffee.

Moisturise

Drying of the skin is a symptom of ageing, which no amount of conscious hydration can completely remedy. In other words, no matter how many glasses of water you drink per day, as you get older, your skin will get dryer. Dry skin exaggerates the signs of ageing in both the face and the body. Therefore, it is essential that you invest in a moisturiser that you use when you wake up in the morning and before you go to sleep at night. This practice of twice-a-day moisturising is the best solution for the inescapable drying out of your skin. A moisturiser that is rich in antioxidants will repair the upper layer of your skin and also work to shuttle nutrients into the skin’s cells. Keeping up your routine of moisturising will help your skin to retain its youthful elasticity.

Shea butter is a natural ingredient that is used as the base for many skin care products. One hundred percent Shea butter naturally contains polyphenol antioxidants, which have similar benefits to that of green tea. In addition, Shea butter is filled with vitamins A and E, which both prevent cell-damage. As a result, Shea butter also reduces the appearance of wrinkles, restores natural suppleness, boosts collagen synthesis, and nourishes the skin. What more reason do you need to believe that it is an amazing moisturiser? It’s no surprise that it’s found in so many anti-ageing creams.

Use eye cream

Eye creams are specially designed for the delicate skin around your eyes. Their purpose is to reduce the small fine lines (crow’s feet), which form where your eye creases, as well as to feed the skin nutrients to ensure a healthy cell turnover. This prevents wrinkle formation in the future.

DIY eye cream

Creating your own eye cream containing avocado oil and Shea butter can be quite simple:

Put a few drops of avocado oil onto your fingertips and massage gently under the eyes until it is absorbed. You can also try a gentle patting motion to stimulate blood circulation to the area.
After having melted Shea butter on your fingertips, apply a thin layer in a gentle patting motion.

Us your ring fingers when applying eye cream, this will make sure it’s gently done. Pat under the eyes from the inside corners to the outer and then draw back in, softly. Repeat this a few times.

Another thing to consider: to beard or not to beard?

Beards are all the rage and often look devilishly handsome. But, consider this: if your face is sprouting greys and you’re under 40, you’re putting years on to you appearance. This can have the advantage of giving off a distinguished look. However, if you find yourself feeling old beyond your years, having a fuzz-free face can literally shave those years away. What’s more, a clean-shaved face gives the impression of softer, fresher, skin, which lends to a more youthful look. On the flip side, a beard can also be used as an anti-ageing camouflage: If you notice a sag in the skin under your chin or around your neck, sporting a beard is the perfect (and most convenient) disguise. Find out what works for you, and work with it.

I hope that you find some take-home messages and insight from this article to help you succeed in the graceful art of ageing. Of course, there is no cure-all for old age, but to stave off the effects of early ageing, the best way to see results is from a combination of healthy lifestyle choices. You can help your body to adjust to the ageing process.