Do you want to take ten years off your face but can’t afford the plastic surgery? There are several anti aging products on the market that can help you accomplish your goal. These treatment products range from antioxidants to chemical peels and retinoids. They have all become popular products and a range of women from all walks of life utilize them. Let us take a look at some of the more popular anti aging products on the market today.

Antioxidants: Antioxidants effectively neutralize free radicals that are caused by exposure to UV rays. Free radicals are those things that are responsible for skin cancer, aging spots, and fine lines. One of the better antioxidants on the market is Prevage cream, which is only available by prescription. Then there is Skinceuticals CE Ferulic Acid serum, which apparently boosts the skin’s protection against UV rays.

Botox: Botox is essentially a purified form of botulinum toxin. When it is injected, Botox effectively smoothes lines through blocking nerve impulses that trigger muscle contractions that ultimately result in wrinkles. This can be quite pricey, however, and the effects tend to wear off after three to six months.

A study was recently conducted that suggested that women who get Botox beginning in their late 20s get fewer wrinkles in life than women who age naturally. This study utilized twins in its experiment. The twin who got Botox injections in her 20s developed fewer lines later on in life than her sister did.

Botox has becoming more popular in recent years. In late 2006, it was reported by the New York Times that more and more Botox clinics have been opening up in malls across the United States of America. The numbers should only increase in the coming year.

Chemical peels: Chemical peels lift the dead upper skin layers away. They are applied to one’s face by a cosmetologist or dermatologist. The longer the chemical peel is left on and the higher its concentration, the better it will work. There are three types of chemical peels, all of which are formulated with acid. They include glycolic or salicylic acid, which is best for oily skin, or TCA, which goes very deep. After a few days’ use, the TCA peels tend to cause flaking and redness on the skin.

Chemical peels are not cheap. They cost around $200 a pop for the salicylic and glycolic peels. Around three to six are needed. TCA peels cost around $250 each.

If you are not able to afford these, there is a selection of over the counter peels that work equally well – but may take up to a month to see results. We recommend the MD Skincare Alpha Beta Face Peel, which is available for around $68.

Retinoids: While a lot of people believe that Retin-A is just something for teens with acne problems, in fact it has been proven that Retinoids help prevent the onslaught of fine lines and wrinkles that come as a result of the aging process.

Aging is a natural process that every human being undergoes. However, the attractiveness of implementing certain steps in order to delay aging and the toll it takes on the body exceeds that of the desire to remain beautiful. The desire to remain young also is borne of the fact that by taking care of one’s body and delaying ageing, one becomes healthier, more robust, and continually active despite the advanced years. This means being able to work better, participate in more activities, and enjoy more time in a variety of activities with one’s family and friends. Staying young and countering ageing can be done with conscious care for the body.

Exercise
Exercise is perhaps one of the most important yet under-appreciated ingredients in staying young. For the regular person, exercise basically helps improve circulation because the physical exertion hastens blood flow to all parts of the body. As a result, improved circulation rejuvenates the skin and the complexion. Healthy looking skin is one of the best indicators of youthful healthfulness. Improved circulation also makes the heart healthier, lowering the risk of heart disease, which is a major risk for many aging people and is a major impediment for them to enjoy a fulfilling life. Exercise is also the best way to fight the loss of stamina, bone density, muscle strength, balance, agility, and flexibility that accompanies aging. It conditions the body to remain active and continually tones the body to its healthy condition.

Eat and load up on antioxidants
As a person ages, it is important to watch one’s diet and take extra care that important vitamins and minerals are being sufficiently provided for in the body. Eating lots of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish, legumes, nuts, and monosaturated fats (like olive oil) will generally make one healthier, and as a result, look younger. Healthy eating also helps keep many diseases, to which older people are at risk of having, at bay because the body is at its prime and capable of combating these diseases. Consuming a good amount of dark-colored fruits and vegetables will help assure a good amount of antioxidant intake in the body. Antioxidants counter what are called “free radicals”, which hasten the onset of age-related diseases.

Lessen sun exposure
While the sun is important in synthesizing Vitamin D in the body, too much sun may damage the skin and cause premature skin aging and wrinkling. Therefore, it is important to wear sunscreen protection containing minimum SPF in order to protect the skin from the harmful effects of the sun. Tanning beds also cause the formation of premature wrinkles, so minimizing exposure to them may also help keep the skin looking young and healthy.

No smoking or drinking
Aside from the risks of acquiring lung cancer and cardiovascular diseases, smoking also causes the destruction of the skin’s capacity to break down old skin cells and renew them eventually. Smoking also damages blood vessels, limiting the capacity of the skin to heal itself when wounded. It is also one of the leading causes of premature skin aging. Drinking, on the other hand, dehydrates the skin. The absence of moisture hastens skin aging and may cause the breaking of capillaries on the face.

Avoid stress and be well-rested
One cannot talk about anti-aging and ignore the importance of sleep and avoiding stress. Stress, in general, affects many bodily functions, making one susceptible to a whole slew of diseases and health risks. It also manifests evidently on the body, making one look tired and sick. Frequent exposure to stress may also make a person fall into the trap of some coping mechanisms that are harmful to the well-being and sustenance of the body—like cutting back on sleep, eating excessively, drinking, etc. For starters, eating excessively and consequently gaining weight not only creates health risks, but also stretches the skin and makes it more susceptible to sagging in the future.

Sleep, on the other hand, is important because the body does self-repair during this period of rest. Getting too little sleep would mean the body has too little time to maintain itself and its various operations. Mental sharpness, skin health, and bodily wellness will all improve when a person has adequate sleep every night.

So by putting it all together you can easily not just look young but even feel the freshness of youth for a longer time. It’s quite amazing how these minor lifestyle modifications and a little bit of trouble can make the big difference in keeping you young for years thereafter.