Aging can happen slowly or more quickly and can occur differently in different people.

Like growth spurts, it is natural to have aging spurts when there are periods of time when individual seems to age more quickly. However, some aspects of aging can be slowed by taking proper care of your body.

One of the most obvious signs of aging is the changes that occur in the appearance of the skin. Skin aging is mainly caused by exposure to the sun and to the harsh environmental elements.

Products with AHA ingredients can slow the signs of skin aging and to achieve healthier, younger looking skin.

Retin-A and alpha hydroxy acids are the two best known topical substances studied for their effect on wrinkles.

Anti-aging tips

Lifestyle changes can slow the aging process. Here are some anti-aging tips:

•Regular facials with massage can help increase the skin's circulation.

•Firming masks and hydrating treatments with mild exfoliation will also help to rejuvenate the skin's appearance.

•Consistent use of moisturizers and products containing anti-aging staples like retinoids, AHA's, antioxidants, and humectants will help to reduce the signs of aging skin on the face and neck, and the ravages of hormone loss.

•Drink 6-8 glasses of purified or spring water each day to keep your body hydrated inside and out.

•Make reducing stress a priority. When you are stressed your body produces large amounts of cortisol, a steroid hormone that causes you to produce excess oil, which clogs glands and can lead to acne. Reduce stress by talking to your friends at least once a week, find reasons to laugh every day, work out at the gym and get the rest your body needs. Some doctors maintain that a good sex life can reduce stress and lower cortisol levels.

We ARE in control of our aging
AAging is psychological as well as physical. It begins at an early age. People who live fuller, longer lives have certain basic attributes. This has been proven in recent results from the longest and most comprehensive study of human development ever undertaken. This study was done at Harvard and began in 1920. It followed a group of individuals from their teens into their 80’s.

The results found that there are four attributes that are vital to successful aging:
•The ability to anticipate, to plan and to hope.
•Seeing the glass as half-full, not half-empty and living in an attitude of gratitude, forgiveness and optimism.
•The ability to imagine the world as it seems to other people.
•The ability to reach out to other people, to want to interact with other people positively.

Dr. George E. Vaillant, the director of the Harvard study, points out seven keys to aging well. People who had four or more of these seven factors by age 50 were one-third less likely to be dead by the age of 80. People with three or fewer of these factors by age 50 were three times as likely to die during the following 30 years.

Here are the seven factor to aging well:
1. Not smoking, or quitting early: "Smoking is probably the most significant factor in terms of health."

2. The ability to take life’s ups and downs in stride: Adapt a coping style that let’s you roll with the punches. Keep your sense of humor, learn new things and have fun, give of yourself and make friends with people who are younger than you are.

3. Don’t abuse alcohol: over indulging in alcohol can destroy your physical and mental health.

4. Maintaining a strong marriage: the study showed that, if people are willing to work through their problems, marriages improve over time and contribute to a long and happy life.

5. Maintain a healthy weight: being over weight is a risk factor to good health.

6. Physical activity: The Harvard study showed that even doing some exercise improves both mental and physical health.

7. Continued education: Dr. Vaillant says that "People seek education because they believe it is possible to control the course of their lives." People who are interested in "self care and perseverance are more likely to continue their education."

Cigarette smoking contributes to facial wrinkles. People who smoke tend to have more wrinkles than nonsmokers of the same age, complexion, and history of sun exposure. Facial wrinkles increase with the amount of cigarettes and number of years a person has smoked. Current smokers tend to have more facial wrinkles than non smokers and past smokers.

Smoking triggers an effect on the small blood vessels, reducing the blood circulation to the skin. The skin becomes starved for blood and oxygen, which results in the deeper than usual aging wrnkling of skin arund eyes and lips know as "cigarette face." The skin color of smokers also takes on a yellowish tone.

Beyond premature aging of the skin caused by smoking, the chemicals found in tobacco have a tremendous health risk for the body. Chronic bronchitis, weakened immune system, coronary artery disease, forms of heart disease, emphysema, gastroesophageal reflux disease and lung cancer all have been found to be related to smoking.

There are three main ways to protect the skin from the enviromment and the sun's ultraviolet light: sun avoidance, cover up clothing and sunscreen.