How to Look Your Best: Top Anti-Aging Strategies

best anti-aging secrets from the design twins 

I will be the very first to admit that I am vain! Is vanity a bad thing? Well, if it motivates us to take good care of ourselves, eat well, stay fit, take care of our skin, wear sunscreen, etc. then heck, I’d say it’s a very good thing. But as in all pursuits, moderation is key. I am happy to say that at the age of 52 I have things in healthy perspective. My vanity does not come before other things. But I do make time looking and feeling my best a priority. And I want to share all that I have learned about anti-aging. These strategies are what I feel are most effective. Here is my anti-aging story along with my honest opinions regarding procedures I have had and practices and procedures I am committed to.

Today I’m excited to talk about this topic of anti-aging that we don’t often talk about candidly. But I feel like it’s time! In fact, it’s overdue. Jodie and I love being honest and open about our lives, the obstacles we face, and how we overcome them. Up until now we haven’t talked about our anti-aging secrets, and we think it’s definitely worth sharing.

This post contains a few shop-able affiliate links for products I use and recommend. These affiliate links cost nothing for you to use. We supply them to both provide convenience for you and to help support the costs of running our blog. As always we appreciate when you shop with us.

Everyone Approaches Anti-Aging Differently

Jodie and I don’t approach anti-aging the same way, and that’s fine. No two people do! It comes down to priorities, personal style and preference, budget, and a host of other variables. In the end, it’s all up to you. I firmly believe that we shouldn’t have to make apologies for doing what makes us feel good about ourselves at any age. We shouldn’t have to hide what we do as if it were some big secret or because we fear others’ judgments. Perhaps if the world was a bit less judgmental this wouldn’t be such an issue.

Regardless of your personal choices it’s always good to be informed with today’s options, especially since the options are improving every day. This post is unsponsored. I just want to share my experiences and recommendations with you all. It does include a few affiliate shopping links. As always these are no additional cost for you, but help us support our blog.

Number One Anti-Aging Practice: Wearing Sunscreen

We all know we should wear sunscreen, but are we doing it? It’s like we all know we need to drink 8 glasses of water a day, but are we doing it? Both are simply a matter of habit. Did you know that the sun ages our skin more than time itself? Crazy to think, but also kind of cool. Cool because we have control over this! We can begin today making sunscreen a daily, yes DAILY, habit!

“Up to 90% of the visible changes commonly attributed to aging are caused by photodamage by the sun.” ~ The Skin Cancer Foundation

The Sun Poses A Real Threat

The sun not only damages our looks it also poses the very real threat of skin cancer. Jodie and I spent the first five years of our lives on the beach in Honolulu, Hawaii (without an ounce of sunscreen). Jodie and I have both had basal cell skin cancers removed in the past year (so has our brother who spent these years on the beach with us). While there is nothing we can do about our pasts, there is definitely something we can do today and for our futures.

1. Number one is wear sunscreen every day.
2. Number two is perform skin self-checks on your body regularly.
3. Have a complete skin check every year with your doctor (twice a year if you are high risk) just like you schedule your mammogram.
4. Avoid the sun.
5. Wear protective clothing and a stylish hat when in the sun 🙂

Anti-Aging Myths About Sunscreen and Sun Exposure

Myth #1: You only need to wear sunscreen when it’s sunny.

Untrue. Damaging rays come right through clouds. Think of cloudy days as your most dangerous! You don’t see the sun, you don’t feel the sun, but you are getting sun. So, they are the most dangerous.

Myth #2: You don’t need sunscreen unless you are heading to the beach for the afternoon.

False. You are damaging (read: aging and endangering) your skin even on your quick errands and through windows in your house! You can get sunburned through an airplane window and of course in your car. Sunscreen, every day.

Myth #3: You need to wear sloppy, sticky, heavy sunscreen to be properly protected.

Finally, some good news.

• You can get plenty of daily wear protection from applying a lightweight moisturizer with sunscreen perfect for daily activity.
• Choose a foundation with sunscreen at least SPF 15 or higher.
• Finish it off with pressed powder to set your foundation and make it last. It also acts as a final barrier.

Here are some of my favorite products I use (click on photos to purchase online):

Want to hear about Jodie’s and my top beauty products we LOVE? Head to our beauty post called, “Can’t Live Without Beauty Products: Our Top 10 List”

Number Two Anti-Aging Practice: Regular Botox Treatments

This is my honest opinion that I will tell anyone and everyone willing to listen. Besides daily sunscreen this is the most powerful way I maintain my youthful appearance. I have been receiving Botox injections from a licensed professional since age 36. I used to go every 4 months, and now I go every 5-6 months.

Here are some reasons I love Botox:

• No down time.
• Virtually painless. Some people are nervous about any needle, but it is the tiniest needle. My doctor, Dr. Zemplenyi uses a vibrating device that makes it truly painless. Dr. Z is all about making his patients completely comfortable. If you are someone who is nervous make sure you find a doctor who will take all your concerns (and your comfort) seriously.
• Almost immediate results. Complete results are seen within 5 days.
• Takes away wrinkles and lines for 4-6 months.
• Has a long-term benefit because you aren’t creating new wrinkles (or deepening exisitng wrinkles) while the Botox is working. It is virtually stopping the aging process.
• Long-term benefits include weakening of facial muscles that cause wrinkles. This allows you to go longer between treatments over time. Botox is training your muscles to not activate. Also, non-use weakens these muscles. It’s a win/win!

Warnings for Anti-Aging Botox Treatments

• Always seek out a highly qualified doctor.
• Seek a doctor with plenty of training & experience.
• Choose a doctor with great aesthetics.
• Your Botox results will only be as good as the doctor you choose.
• The wrong placement can achieve the wrong results: i.e. dropping eyebrows, frozen appearance.

My Story with Dr. Z

When I moved to Seattle one of the first things I did was research Plastic Surgeons to find the best doctor for anti-aging treatments. I was so lucky to find Dr. Jan Zemplenyi. His office is called Bel-Red Center for Cosmetic Surgery. He is the only doctor and he is the one who does all the treatments. Dr. Z, as he is affectionately called, is incredibly knowledgeable, caring, and generous with his time.

He has become not only my trusted doctor, but a good friend. You can’t visit him without becoming his friend. He is the most highly qualified doctor I’ve ever seen for Botox and other treatments, so I originally assumed he would cost more. Not only does he not charge more, he somehow charges less. This stems from his true heart of generosity and his passion to help people first and foremost. And this passion shows in his dedication to his patients at every level of treatment.

I know he was born for this profession. He truly cares about every single patient. I’ve never known a more genuine doctor. He is very thorough, and he never makes me feel rushed. In fact, quite the opposite. He makes me feel like I am his only concern, his only patient.

Choose a Doctor You Trust!

Dr. Z consults with you, educates you, and takes all the time in the world to help you understand your choices and help you with your decisions. He listens and also shares his expertise.

Dr. Z always encourages me to come back any time if I’m unhappy or have questions. Unlike many doctors Dr. Z is a people person and really enjoys getting to know his patients so that he can truly understand how to best serve them.

The other thing that I love is that he never pushy. On the contrary, he always says we can do this, but you don’t need anything. And we don’t need to do anything today. That’s classic Dr. Z. He is literally the best.

If you live anywhere in the Seattle area, Dr. Zemplenyi can be your doctor too!

 Dr. Zemplenyi is a plastic surgeon. His aesthetic training therefore is of the finest! He is an artist. Most plastic surgeons don’t perform Botox or administer fillers. Their time is “too valuable”. If you go to a plastic surgeon’s office for Botox or other non-surgical procedures most likely you will be treated by their nurse.

Anti-Aging: Facial Surgery

Facial surgery is not on my list of “must haves” for anti-aging, but it is part of my personal story. I know I would not have had the surgery if I hadn’t found Dr. Z, and felt such a level of complete trust. It was also the ideal time in my life.  I had a cheek lift. You can view my before and after shots by clicking the link below:

Before & After Photos 

(Scroll down. I am Patient #5)

The before and after care I received had me fall further “in love” with Dr. Z. He and his staff went above and beyond all expectations to ensure not only the success of the procedure, but also to ensure my comfort and well-being before, during and after.  You can watch and listen to my testimonial below. I was so happy with Dr. Z and my experiences with him and his staff that I happily agreed to film the following testimonial with him shortly after the procedure.  (P.S. I can’t get over my hair!)

 

Number Three Anti-Aging Practice: Cosmetic Fillers

The last anti-aging strategy is cosmetic fillers. Cosmetic fillers, dermal fillers or injectables are composed of a group of products, increasing in number, used to treat and fill wrinkles and aging of the face (and other body parts, such as hands).

What Are Facial Fillers?

Facial fillers are products that rejuvenate facial skin by reducing or eliminating wrinkles, raising scar depressions, enhancing lips and replacing soft-tissue volume loss. With age, our skin becomes more susceptible to wrinkles and sagging. Exposure to sun and years of muscle movement ( squinting, chewing, smiling ) contribute to tissue breakdown of the skin.

How Long Do Fillers Last?

Facial fillers last anywhere from 6-18 months and are administered through a few tiny facial injections on specific areas of the face. Various types of facial fillers are available; each is designed with one or several purposes, such as wrinkle reduction and lip augmentation.

What Areas Do Fillers Treat?

Facial fillers will volumize creases and folds in the face in areas that have lost fat and collagen as we age. Today there are fillers that can be used to fill nearly any place on the face.  Hyaluronic acid is the natural filler substance in your body. The face starts to lack volume and appears aged with deeper nasolabial folds, the lips start to thin, and turning down the corners of the lips. Hyaluronic acid fillers such as Restylane and Juvederm are injected to replace lost volume creating a younger look. Dermal fillers can be used to improve the look of lip lines and asymmetry as well as lip augmentation.

How to Choose Which Anti-Aging Filler is Best

With so many products now available it can be very confusing deciding which one is best. But a good doctor, like Dr. Zemplenyi, will take the time to recommend the product best suited for solving your specific concerns. He always takes the time to explain the options to help make the best choice. Make sure your doctor isn’t too busy to take this important time.

My Anti-Aging Program

There you have it! My anti-aging strategies are:

1. Wear sunscreen in my make-up and on my hands every day.
2. Avoid the beach and wear hats when out in the sun.
3. I was blessed to find and amazing doctor who I trust!
4. Receive Botox treatments roughly twice a year
5. Receive Filler approximately once a year.
6. Eat healthily.
7. And exercise as much as possible.

To learn more about Jodie’s and my at home exercise program read “Jodie’s Favorite At-Home Workout”

Here are my 3 favorite products once again. (I’ve been wearing this amazing IT foundation for 5 years!)

I hope my sharing honestly with you has given you food for thought. I wish you all lived in my area so you could benefit from Dr. Z as I have, but even if you’re not in the Seattle area, I hope sharing the qualities that make Dr. Z a wonderful doctor will give you goals for what to look for in your doctor.

With love and blessings,