“Age gracefully;” “Age is just a number;” “Ageing is a natural process” – you have heard all this and more. And yet when you spot a new line under your eyes or notice the deepening laugh lines around your mouth, you worry about your looks. Today is not the day and age of ‘ageing gracefully.’ Today is all about looking young, being present and staying relevant. True, you can’t stop the ageing process but with the right grooming routine and expert help, you can have radiant skin and a happier you. The key to fighting the signs of ageing is to start early.

Don’t wait till you are in your late 30s to start with your anti-ageing regime. You can start as early as the 20s because the modern lifestyle is taking a toll on your skin and hair. Start small – maybe with just an under-eye cream – and be consistent. Use age-appropriate products and consult a dermatologist, if you have any persistent concerns. Nowadays the anti-ageing squad is bigger than ever and you are in the danger of getting lost in a sea of miracle-working products and ingredients. So, let us start at the beginning and look at the five early signs of ageing and how to treat them correctly.

1. Lines and wrinkles - Crinkling of the skin at the corners of your eyes, a trench running from the end of your nose to the corners of your lips, two parallel lines appearing between your brows and the ones running across on your forehead. These are crow’s feet (lateral canthal lines), laugh lines (nasolabial folds) and frown lines and glabellar lines respectively. These lines are a result of exposure to the sun, use of facial muscles and loss of elasticity. Early lines and wrinkles are mostly dynamic and they appear only when you are laughing or frowning. Over time, these lines become static and become a permanent part of your face. These can be treated with topical application of anti-ageing creams, increasing intake of antioxidants and collagen boosters and making relevant changes in your lifestyle such as getting eight hours of sleep, drinking plenty of water, etc. You can also add in-clinic treatments such as peels, and botulinum toxin injections to delay these signs of ageing. 

2. Enlarged pores - Exposure to the sun and blue light, sagging skin and decreased desquamation process are some of the main reasons for enlarged pores. They lead to clogging and result in acne and blackheads. Applying ice, being regular with your toner and using face packs are ways in which you can curb enlarged pores. Clinical rejuvenation treatments such as the carbon laser skin treatment also help in reducing the size of the pores.

3. Hyperpigmentation - In hyperpigmentation, clusters of dark skin spots or patches start appearing on the skin. This is due to unchecked production of melanin, which is boosted because of exposure to the sun. Hyperpigmentation can be prevented with the use of sunscreen daily whereas it can be treated with laser treatments and oral medications.

4. Dull and dry skin - As the skin matures, it tends to lose the ability to retain moisture and becomes dry and dull. A good CTM routine, both during the day and at night, will help the skin to battle dryness. Regular exfoliation also aids in getting the skin to get rid of its dead layer. Products containing hyaluronic acid (HA) are good to add to your skincare arsenal. Your dermatologist is also likely to recommend to you HA-based in-clinic treatments.

5. Loss of definition - As your skin loses elasticity, you also lose volume. This results in loss of definition to your jawline. A sagging jawline is an instant giveaway of your ageing woes. Now is the time to practice face yoga and productively use your gua sha and derma rollers. A HIFU treatment at a dermat’s clinic will also help curb skin sagging.

Youthful, radiant skin is yours for the asking, only if you catch the signs of ageing early on and give your skin what it needs the most to combat these signs.