That's Fit

When you're in your 20s--especially your early 20s--you feel invincible. You can eat what you want, live on tequila and go without sleep for days at a time and you'll still look fresh-faced. Well, in the short term, at least. The long term is a different story. As far as your health and looks go, what you do at any age in your life will affect you later in life.

Take sun tanning, for instance. It will age your skin, fast, because tanning equals wrinkles. No two ways about it. Wearing heavy earrings? How does lobe surgery sound? Wearing high heels too often can irreversibly damage the tendons in your legs, and toting a heavy purse around on one shoulder can lead to shoulder damage that may force you to carry around a backpack. Sexy, huh?

What you do in your 20s matters. Read this article for more proof.

Following a balanced diet improves your overall health. Proper nutrition not only helps you feel good, though -- it also helps you look good!

According to the Mayo Clinic, a diet rich in antioxidants has a protective effect on skin. And, the good news is that these foods that are good for your skin are also good for you in general! Conversely, certain foods actually seem to be related to skin damage. The Mayo Clinic says that a diet high in meat and full-fat milk can increase your risk of skin wrinkling.

To find out what you should be eating to keep your face flawless, check out our gallery.

You probably know the causes of wrinkles, right? There are internal factors (age and genetics) as well as external factors (sun exposure). But did you know you can actually tell the difference by how the wrinkles appear on your face?

Wrinkles caused by internal factors will present in the form of thinner skin with less elasticity. You'll experience increased dryness and notice more fine wrinkles as well as slower scar formation.

Photoaging, or wrinkles caused by exposure to the sun and elements, will show up as deeper wrinkles and saggy looking skin. You might also notice irregular pigmentation, or brown spots, and your skin will appear rougher and more leathery.



So what does this mean for you? Well, if you're fighting your wrinkles, knowing what caused them is a good start -- if you notice that most of your problems seem to be related to external factors, you should probably invest in a big hat in sunscreen. Now. But, if you're really serious about diminishing your wrinkles, you have several choices.

What you put inside your body eventually shows on the outside, reports Reader's Digest. Just ask the 100 dermatologists who analyzed the skin of 4,000 women ages 40 to 74. What they found is that eating habits, weight, history of sun exposure, and menopausal status all affect the skin. Specific to diet, though, the good doctors discovered the following.

• Women with higher vitamin C intake had significantly fewer wrinkles. Makes sense since vitamin C is key in the formation of collagen, which protects the skin from damage and keeps it strong and elastic. For best results, be sure to get vitamin C not through a supplement but in its natural form -- think orange juice, citrus fruits, and tomatoes.
  

• Those who ate plenty of the nutrient linoleic acid had skin that was less dry and fragile. Known to keep skin moist, this stuff can be found in green leafy veggies, nuts, and plant-based oils.

• Women who ate more carbs and fat had more wrinkles.

It makes sense than that we put in our bodies what is truly good for us, on the inside and out. Check out the following gallery for 11 healthy -- and antioxidant-rich -- goodies.

"No longer easy on the eyes, 'cause these wrinkles masterfully disguise the youthful boy below," croons Death Cab for Cutie frontman Ben Gibbard in a song off their 2005 album Plans. If you were to ask a scientist from the Corporate Research and Statistics Group to evaluate these lyrics, they'd tell you Mr. Gibbard probably needs more vitamin C in his diet.

That's because research into the effects of vitamin C on skin revealed that of 4,000 people examined for a 2007 study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, those who consumed the highest amounts of this vitamin in their diets had significantly fewer wrinkles than people with the lowest levels. Researchers posit that the antioxidants found in vitamin C help increase collagen production and regeneration, thereby keeping skin looking younger.

However, not everyone subscribes to this 'An orange a day keeps the wrinkle away' construct. Many experts believe that it's too difficult, if impossible, to ascertain which specific foods actually contributes to wrinkles, or the lack thereof.

What worries people most about growing old? It's not wrinkles and gray hair. It's something far less superficial.

About one-third of 28,000 respondents in an MSNBC online aging poll said they are most worried about their ability to take care of themselves. One-fifth said they're afraid of losing their mental abilities, and 16 percent are afraid they'll grow very ill and experience a lot of pain. Only seven percent fear looking old and wrinkly.

The biggest priority for nearly 60 percent of respondents: Staying strong and healthy.

It amazes me sometimes how technology is always searching to create new chemicals and compounds to help us look younger and take better care of our skin when sometimes the best products are based on the most natural things.

Have you ever considered lily extract for soothing and balancing out problem skin? I admit I haven't, or at least hadn't until I read this article over at Natural Health. Most commonly used for its fragrance, lily extract also has antioxidant and antiseptic properties that make it a natural for skin care. It moisturizes, softens, clarifies, and even minimizes pores.

Look for for "lily extract" or "tincture of lily flower" on the label.

In most parts of the U.S., the sun is starting to shine a little more brightly, encouraging us to come out and play. Not only does the warm weather get us all frisky and ready to tackle all kinds of fun outdoor activities -- a change of season is also a reminder to take a look at our current skincare routine to make sure we're still meeting our skin's needs.

It should go without saying, but I'm still going to say it -- first and foremost, make sure you're applying sunscreen every time you go outside. Hats and sunglasses will help protect your face from sun damage, too, but it's a good idea to get into the habit of applying a moisturizing sunscreen every morning.

Trying to save face? No, not in the normal, reputation preservation sense. Rather, are you literally trying to save your face? With the exception of cosmetic surgery and Botox injections, there really aren't any ways to truly stop wrinkles from forming on an aging person's face. That being said, however, there are ways to help reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Creams and moisturizing lotions help to keep skin from drying, which helps to some extent. This method, of course, is far from a secret. But, a lesser known reason for wrinkles (and, correspondingly, a lesser known method of reducing their appearance) has to do with what you're sleeping on.

Unlike cotton pillowcases, those made of satin will better allow your face to slide more smoothly and do not sap away much moisture from your skin. As a result, your sleep lines will tend to be less dramatic and your face will appear less wrinkled.

If your initial reaction wasn't, "Ewww! Gross!" it was probably, "Yeah, right." At least, those are the two thoughts that went through my head upon seeing the article.

Filipino doctor, Dr. Florencio Q. Lucero, has presented this idea in the form of ActiStem Dermal, a product which aims to increase collagen and elastin production, thereby decreasing the look of fine lines and wrinkles on the face. Dr. Lucero is a cosmetic surgeon who has been at the forefront of stem-cell therapy in his country.

However, he is quick to point out that ActiStem is not a stem-cell -- "it's a protein extract from the sheep's placenta." Therefore, he doesn't foresee the ethical and moral issues stem-cell usage has raised.

The product is backed by several former beauty queens (including two Miss Universes) who are now in their 40s and 50s, as well as the doctor's wife, all who claim it's safe and effective, and it's not baaaa-d news.

What do you think? Is this a healthy option with no repercussions? Is it better than what's currently on the market? Or should we all suck it up and live with our wrinkles?

I can't even count the ways I love George Clooney. A lot of celebrities could take a lesson from him on how to handle the media attention (at least most of the time).

He was recently interviewed for the April 2008 issue of Esquire, and when asked if it was true that he had cosmetic surgery on his eyes, he said he didn't, but went on to joke, "I did get my balls done, though. I got them unwrinkled. It's the new thing in Hollywood -- ball ironing."

This was the same interview in which he went online to see what rumors were circulating about him, and in response to one that said he was "GAY, GAY, GAY," he left a comment saying, "No, I'm gay, gay. The third gay -- that was pushing it."

The man clearly has a good sense of humor about himself, his fame, and the public's response to all that is George Clooney. If only more celebrities could be that secure -- we'd have more jokes than drugs, and more bouts of uncontrollable laughter than bouts of depression.

Is there anything yoga can't do? It tones, it strengthens, it stretches -- according to this past post by Rigel it may also help you find love (well for those who manage to avoid 'inappropriate yoga guy'). I was musing earlier today during my walk to work about all of the benefits I noticed when I was practicing yoga on a regular basis (I admit that for various reasons most of us who fall off the bandwagon would understand, it has been a while since I've been to a class). I remember feeling more limber, more energetic yet relaxed, and just generally had an enhanced feeling of well-being.

I began to wonder if yoga can also make you look good. I mean beyond the obvious tightening benefits, are there any yoga moves that will improve the shape of your body or perhaps improve the overall look of your face. Every time I used to leave yoga class I noticed that all of the participants, myself included, had a lovely glow about them. Was that just due to the excessive heat, sweating and exertion or could there be more to it?

For the past 15 years, I have maintained a healthy diet and kept up with a regular exercise regimen ... all to stay in great shape and to be able to live as long as I could. Recently though, my focus has changed. Now, not only do I want to live longer, but I also want to stay younger (or at least look it) for as long as I can.

Since I've been starting to show signs of aging, like fine lines and wrinkles, it's probably a good time to start doing what I can. Here are 10 Ways to Beat Aging that I found from Quick & Simple:

• Nourish Yourself: Eat a well-balanced low-fat, high-fiber diet that's rich in fruits and veggies.
• Limit Alcohol: Alcohol can leave skin dry and lead to broken capillaries and a ruddy complexion.
• Maintain a Healthy Weight: Being overweight or underweight can take years of your life.
• Get Moving: It's unanimous among experts: Exercise keeps us around longer.
• Stop Smoking: People who smoke are biologically older than non-smokers.
• Guard Against the Sun: Sun damage can lead to leathery, wrinkly skin, blotchy pigmentation and some skin cancer.
• Dump Stress: Stress affects the immune, nervous and digestive systems and can definitely show on your face in the form of contracting muscles.
• Keep Your Brain Busy: Studies indicate that flexing your mind and keeping yourself mentally stimulated can help ward off Alzheimer's disease.
• Stay Social: Loners don't age well. A strong network of friends significantly increases ones life span.
  
• Don't Skimp on Sleep: During sleep, the body releases the most growth hormones, which aid in cell repair.

The next time you're wandering by the beauty counter of your favorite department store, you might be asked if you want to have your skin analyzed. Basically, you put your face in the box, have your picture taken, and the machine reveals all of your skin care sins -- wrinkles, large pores, you name it. After this unseen damage has been revealed, the sales person at the beauty counter will be happy to assist you in "fixing" it.

So what's the deal here -- are these boxes for real, or just a big scam? It depends on who you ask, and the NYT has a good article that covers both sides of the story. Many dermatologists think they're invaluable in telling patients about unseen damage, while others take a "if it's not broke, don't fix it" approach. If my large pores and hidden sunspots don't bother me, then do I need to spend hundreds of dollars fixing them? (The machines are not designed to detect skin cancer.)

Read the article and decide for yourself. Have you tried one of these skin analyzers? What did you think?

Forget expensive anti-wrinkle creams -- the key to preventing wrinkles is wearing sunscreen, getting lots of sleep ... and eating lots of oranges? That's right, a new study shows that people who ate lots of vitamin C had fewer wrinkles than those who didn't.

That's not all -- those with diets rich in Omega-6 fatty acid showedhless signs of aging, while those who ate diets high in overall fat showed more. Omega-6s can be found in sunflower and safflower oils, as well as some fish. For more information on what to eat to keep your skin looking it's best, check out this article from WebMD.

What do you think -- does what you eat really play a role in how well you age?