External factors

Four lifestyle factors that change your skin

One. Sunbathing or lying on a sun bed adds 20 years. Many dermatologists believe sun beds cause even more damage than the sun, because they radiate pure UVA rays that penetrate the skin very deeply.

Two Stress adds three years. This is especially true for those with stressful lifestyle habits such as drinking too much caffeine and alcohol, not getting enough sleep and skipping meals. None of these does your skin any good.

Three City life adds five years. Exposure to pollution brings about free radicals that attack healthy skin cells. You needn’t move to the country, but do use a moisturiser that’s rich in antioxidants to control the damage.

Four Crash diets add 10 years. They deprive the skin of important nutrients, and when you lose weight fast, your skin stretches and sags.

When should one start using anti-ageing products?

Look in the mirror, not at the calendar, says Dr Gerald Imber, author of The Youth Corridor (read it online at www.drimber.com). What matters is what’s happened to your skin, not your age. The the first signs of ageing – fine lines and lifeless skin – begin to appear, usually between 25 and 30. It’s time to adopt an anti-ageing strategy. This includes using eye cream and moisturiser with antioxidants for extra protection.

How quickly will I see results?

Most beauty products give fast results to live up to the expectations of consumers. Thanks to intense moisturisation, some products can change the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles within days. More significant changes then become apparent after four weeks – the time it takes for the skin to renew.

Alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) are powerful and deliver fast results, whereas retinoids take longer.

Is there a natural anti-ageing product I can use?

If your skin is sensitive, avoid retinoids. Plant oils are more gentle. Kinetin, from a plant source, gives similar results to retinol, but without the potential to irritate the skin.