The discussion around anti-ageing, whether products or procedures, have always been centred around women. Female consumers are more likely to express concerns about their appearance as they grow older and, therefore, more likely to buy into the promise of looking and feeling younger.
However, men, too, experience the changes that come with age. Although, with George Clooney and other Hollywood actors making the “silver fox” look sexy, being youthful, even when you have reached your 40s and beyond, is still the dream.
Youthful from the Inside Out
Men release a hormone called testosterone which controls not just their sex drive and production of sperm, but also increases their energy. However, with age, the level of testosterone within the body declines. This results in lower libido, erectile dysfunction, and infertility.
Other symptoms of low levels of testosterone include reduced muscle bulk and strength, reduced bone density, larger chests, higher body fat, hair loss, difficulty sleeping, fatigue, and depression.
You can find out if the levels of testosterone in your body have decreased by getting a blood test. For treatment, undergoing testosterone replacement therapy may improve your symptoms. More studies are necessary to make sure, but there is strong evidence that the treatment works. Men who had the treatment reported feeling better immediately and had an overall improved quality of life.
Never Too Late to Start a Beauty Routine
There is a very false notion that skincare is only for ladies. At an early age, women have been acquainted with using facial cleansers, toners, moisturizers, serums, masks, and sunscreen. Many men, however, insisted on using their bar of soap for their face and body.
It is never too late to adopt an everyday skincare routine that targets your specific skin conditions. Start by ditching your ordinary bar of soap. That probably is drying your skin out which will lead to sagging and wrinkles.
Pick up a gentle face wash for daily use. Cetaphil’s Gentle Skin Cleanser is affordable, effective, and has a simple design. It can be used by women and men (like all skincare products). Kiehl’s Facial Fuel Energizing Scrub is also a good one.
Next, look for a moisturizer. There are tons of anti-ageing creams and serums out there. Dr. Dennis Gross’ Ferulic + Retinol moisturizer is an example. It has ferulic acid and retinol which, together, work as a very powerful anti-aging product.
Finally, wear sunscreen every day. Sunscreen is not just important when you go to the beach. Every time you go out, you get exposed to harmful rays of the sun that will damage your skin and make you look older. Sun exposure also increases your risk of skin cancer.
Get Moving
Exercise is, perhaps, one of the best anti-ageing secrets. Just look at Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson who, at 48, still looks fine.
When you engage in physical activities, especially high-intensity workouts, you turn back time on a cellular level. One study found that doing HIIT regularly keeps the cells younger for longer.
To measure the impact of HIIT, the researchers measured the structures at the end of chromosomes called telomeres. Telomeres shrink with age which leads to a decline in vascular strength and may affect the appearance of the skin.
Those who did HIIT workouts for 26 weeks saw their telomere double in length by the end of the study.
Exercising regularly can help you retain flexibility and strength. It grants you more freedom in movements and minimizes the risk of injuries. The secret to youth is not some mystical fountain, but regular exercise.
Growing old should not be something to be ashamed of. It is a triumph. However, there is nothing wrong with wanting to look and feel young, either. There are so many things that you can do to turn back the hands of the clock. If it makes you happier and more confident, you should do what you can to achieve it.
