Our appearance changes as we age, a normal part of aging. About 60% of men develop male-pattern baldness as they age. Hair starts growing from their nose and ears. Women, on the other hand, do not go bald, but their hair starts thinning. They may notice thicker and darker hairs on their chins and upper lips. So why does this happen when we age?
Due to aging, the balance of hormones changes. Because of this, hair follicles produce thick, dark, and coarse hair instead of soft and barely noticeable hair like before.
Most people develop gray hair in their 40s and 50s. Some can have them earlier and others later, depending on genetics. Some individuals even have gray hairs in their teens. The pigments in the hair provide color, but as we age, those pigments stop working, and hence, the strands are left gray.
Skin: As we age, so does our skin, the largest organ of our body. In our younger years, our skin is vibrant, glowy, and firm. In our 20s, we slowly start to lose collagen, a fibrous protein responsible for the firmness and strength of the skin. It becomes less elastic as we age, resulting in lines and furrows. This reduction in elasticity becomes more apparent in our 50s and 60s.
The sun does a number on our skin. It is to be blamed for the development of freckles and brown spots as we grow older. We attribute it to a normal part of aging. That is why our skin must be protected from the sun. Using sunscreen and SPF products is really important in reducing sun damage to our skin.
During the aging process, the skin becomes dull and translucent. Fine lines start appearing in the 30s around eye areas because the skin is relatively thin. Various things appear, such as freckles, wrinkles, warts, age spots, and spider veins.
So, how can we look better and feel younger as we age?
While we cannot turn the clock back, there are a few things we can do to feel healthier and age gracefully.
- Wear Sunscreen
- Get enough sleep
- Stay hydrated
- Exercise regularly
- Eat healthy
- Consume more healthy fat
- Take less stress