10 Things You Can Do to Slow Down Aging, According to a Yale Dermatologist
Christopher Bunick, MD, offers tips on how to slow down the hands of time
Unfortunately, there is no way to stop the hands of time from ticking. However, according to experts, you can slow them down – and many of them don't involve having to get injections or going under the knife. Newsful asked Christopher Bunick, MD, Yale Medicine dermatologist and associate professor of Dermatology at Yale School of Medicine, for tips on how to slow down aging, and many of them are as easy as changing daily habits.
From a skin perspective there are a few things you can do, says Dr. Bunick. The first? Practice sun smarts. "Use daily moisturizer with spf 30-50, limit mid-day sun exposure, wear sun protective clothing, and use sunscreen properly (re-apply) when outdoors or swimming," he says.
There are a few skin care topicals Dr. Bunick suggests investing in. One is a nightly retinol or prescription retinoid to even skin tone and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. He also suggests antioxidant creams. Our picks? SkinMedica Age Defense Retinol Complex ($96) or RoC Retinol Correxion Anti-Aging + Firming Night Face Moisturizer ($30) for retinoids and DRMTLGY Peptide Night Cream ($46) for antioxidants.
Dr. Bunick also recommends investing in your hair. "Consider anti-hair loss therapies to keep the scalp looking young like topical or oral minoxidil, spironolactone, or finasteride," he says. Nutrafol is a popular, expert-recommended supplement for hair growth.
From an athletic perspective, Dr. Bunick recommends exercising regularly and maintaining a healthy weight. Physical activity is anything that gets your body moving. Each week, adults need 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity and two days of muscle-strengthening activity, according to the current Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans.
Also, stretch it out. "A consistent stretching routine helps protect muscles and joints and reduces the risk of injury with age," Dr. Bunick says.
Preventive care is also essential, says Dr. Bunick. "See your primary doctor regularly, at minimum once per year," he recommends. "The earlier you can identify a problem, the easier it usually is to treat."
Dr. Bunick also suggests investing money in cancer screening using commercial/concierge testing.
Brain health is also vital, says Dr. Bunick. "Stay mentally active and prioritize learning for the long haul," he recommends.
You can't undo the damage of a bad diet. "Eat healthy," says Dr. Bunick, reminding, "you are what you eat."
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Don't forget to get your beauty sleep, Dr. Bunick adds. "Get 7 to 8 hours nightly," he suggests. What are the health benefits of sleep? According to the Sleep Foundation, getting enough z's is a mood booster, promotes heart health, regulates blood sugar, improves mental function, restores your immune system, helps relieve stress, and aids in weight loss.
