We’ve all seen it. You know, that person who has “duck lips” from too much Juvederm. The super-tight facelift. A 75 year-old woman wearing her tops revealing her firm, overly round breasts. There are certainly people who want those types of looks, but those aren’t the people we usually see in the office. There’s an art to aging gracefully. Sometimes we can help with that.
A Healthy Diet
This is probably number one on the list of things a person can do to look and feel good at any age. Fad diets come and go. People make fortunes writing books about how we should eat. Really, though, eating a balanced diet in limited portions is probably all a person really needs to do. Maybe scale back on those Dr. Peppers at QT and instead try some black and green peach tea. When dining out, consider splitting an entrée with your dining partner. Fruits and vegetables provide antioxidants that can be very helpful. Balancing your diet to include protein, fat, and carbohydrates, in my opinion, is the best way to go. People change from one fad diet to another because they can’t stick with one. They can’t stick with one because it doesn’t provide all the things their bodies need, and their bodies tell them that.
A Little Exercise
It doesn’t even take that much! Walking a little every day can do wonders. Running, cycling, spin classes…those are great too. But if you can’t or won’t do those, even walking as little as 15-20 minutes every day is helpful. Get some fresh air, clear the mind a little. Maybe a little yoga. Try a little ‘mind exercise’ like meditation. These simple things can make a hard day so much better.
Take Care of Your Skin
A great tan sure can look good. But, it’s also a sign of significant exposure to ultraviolet radiation. A little of that goes a long way. Our bodies actually need some  exposure to the sun. That helps our skin create vitamin D. But, too much sun exposure results in skin damage. That can take place in the form of a sunburn or a suntan. Over time, exposure to sun and wind cause changes in the skin that lead to spots and wrinkles. Too much sun exposure can even lead to skin cancers. So, protect yourself. If you love being out in the sun, wear a wide-brimmed hat and use sunscreen .
A Little Help?
Let’s face it: we’re not all born looking like Nicole Kidman or George Clooney. Sometimes a little touch up here or tuck there can help create or maintain a great look. Simple refinements with Botox and Restylane injections can subtly enhance a person’s image. Krista, our medical aesthetics nurse, has clients that travel from all corners of Texas and beyond to see her. She is what I consider an artful designer of facial contour and appearance. Adding a little volume to the folds between the nose and mouth, weakening the muscles between the eyebrows…small changes can lead to amazing increases in self-confidence.
One area where Krista and I see a lot of overlap is around the eyes. A woman who has just a little fullness in her lower eyelids may be able to have that addressed by adding small amounts of Juvederm in the area. When there’s more puffiness there than can be nicely addressed that way, eyelid surgery can help create a great look. Removing and redistributing some of that fatty fullness can create a refreshed, relaxed look in a noticeable but subtle way.
There’s real beauty in aging gracefully. A good diet, a little exercise, and avoiding too much exposure to the sun and wind are probably the most important things you can do. When you want a little help, though, maybe it’s time to give us a call !
