Lifestyle and Skin Appearance

A healthy lifestyle seemed to produce effects similar to those obtained with facial cosmetic procedures.

Apparently, lifestyle factors can have long-term beneficial effects on skin appearance. To identify factors associated with perceived facial age, investigators conducted two cross-sectional studies using facial images of white northern Europeans aged 45 to 75. One study involved 647 Dutch adults (318 men, 329 women); the other, 162 nonsmoking English women. Lifestyles were surveyed with detailed questionnaires.

Significant predictors of higher perceived facial age included greater sun exposure, sunbed use, and smoking. Flossing teeth, not wearing false teeth, and having more than half the normal number of teeth were associated with younger appearance. Lips were closed on the images, so dental health could not be directly observed. A higher b…

Reviewing Author

Mark V. Dahl, MD

Disclosures

Consultant / Advisory board Ulthera, Inc.; AuBio LifeSciences, LLC; Paris Therapeutics

Equity Elorac, Inc.; Makucell, Inc.; Paris Therapeutics

Editorial boards UpToDate

Leadership positions in professional societiesNational Rosacea Society (Chairman, Medical Board)