According to a new study published by the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), it seems that nurture trumps nature in the fight against wrinkles. The study was conducted with identical twins as the subjects, and it asked a panel to judge how old each twin looked in photographs. This is significant because identical twins are genetically programmed to age at exactly the same rate in exactly the same way.
Many people believe that how well we age has everything to do with genetics. While genes do play a role, the study found that lifestyle and environmental factors were key. Of course, there were the obvious factors like sun exposure, smoking, drinking, diet, and exercise. Weight gain and loss also played a significant role. But the most interesting component of premature aging of the skin: stress! In fact, the study showed that subjects who had been through a divorce looked, on average, 2 years older. Anti-depressant use also appeared to accelerate the aging process, although it begs the question: Was it the anti-depressants themselves or the stresses that led to the use of the medication in the first place?
SO...If you want to avoid the need for a face lift, try those old favorites: Eat a healthy diet, get regular exercise, avoid environmental aging factors (smoking, drinking, tanning beds), and practice healthy stress-management techniques like meditation or yoga. Oh, and stay married.
See plastic surgery before and after photos.
Many people believe that how well we age has everything to do with genetics. While genes do play a role, the study found that lifestyle and environmental factors were key. Of course, there were the obvious factors like sun exposure, smoking, drinking, diet, and exercise. Weight gain and loss also played a significant role. But the most interesting component of premature aging of the skin: stress! In fact, the study showed that subjects who had been through a divorce looked, on average, 2 years older. Anti-depressant use also appeared to accelerate the aging process, although it begs the question: Was it the anti-depressants themselves or the stresses that led to the use of the medication in the first place?
SO...If you want to avoid the need for a face lift, try those old favorites: Eat a healthy diet, get regular exercise, avoid environmental aging factors (smoking, drinking, tanning beds), and practice healthy stress-management techniques like meditation or yoga. Oh, and stay married.
See plastic surgery before and after photos.
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