The best strategy at any age is prevention.

How to Maintain Healthy Skin

Maintaining healthy skin is simple: You need to protect your skin from the sun.

• Do not sunbathe or visit tanning salons.
• Limit your exposure to the sun, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.
• Wear protective clothing — such as a hat with a 2-inch brim, long-sleeved shirts, pants, and sunglasses with UV 400 or blocking lenses.
• Put on sunscreen lotion before going out in the sun to help protect your skin from UV light. Remember to reapply the lotion every 80 minutes to 2 hours, more if sweating or swimming. Always use products that are SPF (sun protection factor) 30 or higher. It is also important to choose broad-spectrum products that provide both UVB and UVA protection (containing at least 7% zinc oxide).
• Check your skin often for signs of skin cancer. If there are changes that worry you, call the doctor right away. The American Academy of Dermatology suggests that everyone should have a yearly skin check by a doctor as part of a regular physical.
• If your skin is dry, use a humidifier at home, bathe with soap less often (use a moisturizing body wash instead), and use a moisturizing cream or lotion at least twice daily. See your doctor if concerns persist.

Treatment Options for Aging Skin

For early signs of aging, treatments that use retinoids, vitamin C, and alpha hydroxy acids may be enough. Chemical peels, dermabrasion, microneedling, ultrasound energy devices, radio frequency, or laser resurfacing may be an option for moderate to severe facial sun damage.

Deeper facial lines may be treated with botulinum toxin or fillers, including hyaluronic acid injections, your own fat, and Gore-Tex implants.

Some people may opt for surgery, such as a facelift, brow lift, or cosmetic surgery on the eyelids. Whether you do any of these things, and how much you do, is a personal choice. If you’re considering it, schedule a consultation with a surgeon to discuss your goals, options, costs, risks, and benefits.