People grow old. It is a universally known truth. There is no cure for this natural occurrence nor is there a method to live forever. However, that has not stopped millions of people attempting to freeze themselves in their prime with botox, hair implants, plastic surgery and other enhancements that would hopefully hit the pause button on their age from showing.
Collagen is a protein in our body that is responsible for skin elasticity, the regeneration of skin cells and what keeps it strong. There are ten types of collagen that may be found in the human psyche. Type I collagen being most abundant, which accounts for about 90 percent.
However, the production of collagen deteriorates as we grow older, and therefore allowing it to sag and wrinkles form. It also makes cellulite become more pronounced as elasticity is lost. The protein can be replenished through the consumption of various products such as nuts, gelatin and vitamin C.
The most common are beauty products that harvest collagen from a wide array of plants and animals, even snails. However, collagen may be naturally boosted through cow hide and bones called bovine collagen. This particular strain has higher absorption and is rich in Type I and Type III, both of which gives skin its elasticity and firmness. Fish and eggs are also wonderful sources of collagen.
Other than consuming or injecting animal collagen, there are non invasive treatments that can minimize wrinkles and age spots with IPL laser machines. Also used to remove tattoos and stop unwanted hair growth, the light therapy stimulates new collagen to form.
One important thing to prevent skin damage and the loss of collagen is to apply sunscreen daily. This would stop UV rays from penetrating the skin and causing harm to the DNA of skin cell. It would also minimize the risk of developing actinic keratosis – precursors to skin cancer.
A natural way to maintain one’s youthful appearance is through exercise. Endorphins which are released through exercise combat cortisol, a stress hormone. It has been researched that high stress levels are directly linked to accelerated aging. Furthermore, endorphins produce an euphoric feeling which gives one a psychological boost in mood and makes one feel good, bearing in mind that one would have to push oneself to eighty percent of their capacity for it to have any noticeable effect.
Mandel, a fitness guru who published, ‘ Turn On Your Inner Light: Fitness for Body, Mind and Soul’ reminds that the heart gets used to routine fairly quickly and therefore one has to change up their workout constantly to continue challenging the heart. She also says that one should tailor their workouts to their stress level to ensure a psychological reward, giving the example of those that face more stress should have a longer workout with higher intensity as opposed to someone who has low levels of stress, in which case a half hour would do the trick.
The benefits of exercise not only gives one a healthy glow and a trimmed physique, it also strengthens the heart and lungs. A sedentary lifestyle leads to lower metabolism and weight gain, but exercise can stave them off. Furthermore, studies show that an active lifestyle can actually halt the aging process by turning it off within one’s chromosomes.
Celebrities have been known for their talent and attempts at staying young forever. It does not come as a shock to anyone to learn that their favorite actor or actress has had work done, expecting no less from those who struggle to survive in an industry concerned with appearance. Take Jane Fonda, for instance. A well known American actress who has just celebrated her eightieth birthday in late 2017. However, she does not look a day over forty. Having admitted to plastic surgery, she has been quoted on the procedures she has undertaken.
“I’ve had work done on my chin and neck and had the bags taken away from under my eyes,” She said back in 2010. However, plastic surgeons have analyzed her pictures and suggest that she has had more plastic surgery done than she let on, claiming botox, fillers, rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty and a face lift or two. She has recently made headlines with a journalist, Megyn Keller, who addressed her extensive plastic surgery procedures on air and was later rebuffed by the actress.
While plastic surgery might be a quick (and expensive) fix to looking fresher, there are countless instances of which plastic surgery left patients looking worse for wear. One notable celebrity for his addiction to plastic surgery was Michael Jackson, but one quick look around Hollywood nowadays will show anyone that he is not the worst case.
Regardless of what we try to do in order to overcome looking like our grandparents, there is really nothing to be done about it. However, we can try our best to be the healthiest versions of ourselves and stay away from things that would speed up the process such as recreational drugs, cigarettes, alcohol and late nights.
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