Not using sunscreen
Many millennials and Gen Xers spent their childhoods with nary a sunscreen bottle in sight — but now, there’s no excuse not to lather up, even if you’re not planning to spend a ton of time outside.
“Sun exposure is one of the biggest reasons women see changes in their skin as they get older,” says Dr. Bruce Katz of Juva Skin & Laser Center in New York City. “Sun exposure causes fine lines, wrinkles, sun spots, hyperpigmentation — all things that my patients are not happy with. While you can’t turn back the clock, you can wear sunscreen each day to prevent future damage.”
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Over-exfoliating
Katz says both physical and chemical over-exfoliation can do more harm than good, especially on those with mature skin. “There are so many exfoliating products on the market. I see many women come into my practice and their skin is irritated, sensitive and oftentimes they are trying to make their skin look younger by using chemical exfoliators, or aggressively scrubbing their face,” he says. “Too much exfoliation can actually make the skin look worse — red and irritated. Even using a washcloth and scrubbing your face each day can aggravate your skin.”
Instead, Katz says to exfoliate your skin once or twice weekly rather than every night — and be sure not to mix exfoliating products on top of each other. “If you’re taking off your makeup at the end of the day and washing your skin, most people only need to exfoliate periodically to remove dead skin cells, oil and debris.”
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While Katz assures us that it’s never a mistake to not use injectables, it’s important to talk to your dermatologist about the options available.
“It’s easier to start to reduce fine lines and wrinkles with injectables and other in-office treatments in your 40s, or when you first start to notice them,” he says. “I even have patients come in their 20s and 30s before they see the signs of damage to use injectables preventatively. A good board-certified dermatologist will help you look like you on your best day and that can be through a combination of injectables, other non-invasive cosmetic in-office procedures like laser treatments and establishing a good skin care routine.”
