What if aging well was less about luck?
And more about what you know,
And more importantly,
What you do.
I'm Dr.
Linda Friedland,
And this is the Longevity Blueprint.
Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought,
When did my skin change?
When did these wrinkles appear?
Where is that firmness and glow it once had?
For many,
Women and men,
These changes seem to happen almost overnight.
But in fact,
It's a slow process.
But that sudden realization is often harsh.
Our skin is actually our largest organ in our bodies.
And like every other organ,
It changes as we age.
And of course,
Our skin is the most visible.
As we age,
We produce less collagen,
Our skin becomes thinner,
Drier,
And less elastic.
And it simply doesn't repair itself as efficiently as it once did.
So naturally the question becomes what actually works to prevent,
To slow down all the deterioration and help repair.
The beauty industry would have us believe the answer is another cream,
Another serum or another miracle ingredient.
Unfortunately,
There is no miracle.
The single most effective anti-aging product we have is sunscreen.
Nothing comes close.
Protecting your skin from ultraviolet light is one of the most powerful ways to slow premature skin aging.
But healthy skin really does begin from the inside.
Your skin reflects what's happening throughout your body.
People who smoke.
Age much quicker in their skin,
As do people drinking a lot of alcohol.
Eating enough protein provides the building blocks for collagen.
Vitamin C and other vitamins help with collagen production.
Regular exercise improves your circulation.
Sleep is when much of our repair work happens.
Healthy skin isn't created by one expensive cream.
It's supported by healthy daily habits.
But the question is,
Are there any really good active ingredients?
By far the most scientifically validated is vitamin C serum.
Doesn't need to be expensive.
But it's a very useful thing to have.
Another strong product is a retinoid.
Whether it's prescription retinoic acid or an over-the-counter retinol,
These products stimulate collagen,
Improve skin texture,
And soften your fine lines.
They don't work overnight,
But with patience,
They can really make a difference.
What about collagen supplements which are all over the place?
Social media,
Supermarkets,
Pharmacies,
People are asking all the time.
The evidence is somewhat promising,
Although not miraculous.
Some studies suggest that hydrolyzed collagen peptides may modestly improve skin hydration and elasticity.
But they're not a substitute for good nutrition or skin protection.
Think of them as one possible tool,
Not the answer.
And perhaps that's the biggest lesson.
Healthy skin is built over years.
Protect it from sun damage in summer and winter,
Use sunscreen,
Nourish it,
And look after your body that supports the skin with the best nutrition.
Obviously,
There's a whole separate discussion not for today about injectables,
Fillers and cosmetic surgery and people choose as to what is best and appropriate for them.
My only advice here is that less is more.
I also think we need to change the way we view aging.
Our skin tells the story of a life well lived.
The goal is healthy skin,
Strong skin.
Skin that reflects a healthy body.
Of course,
As we age,
We still want to look as good as we can.
But aging,
And particularly skin aging,
Isn't something we can fight.
It's something we can support.
This is the Longevity Blueprint with Dr.
Linda Friedland.
Until next time,
Age boldly,
Live well.
