Think about when you were a kid, and looking at old photos of your parents was mesmerizing. You weren’t only getting a glimpse into their past, but also a preview of how you might look when you grew up. As an adult, you still want to know: Will you age exactly like your parents? You might, but it’s also about starting and sticking to a healthy beauty routine. “If you’ve inherited your mother’s ageless looks, you’ve won the genetic lottery,” says dermatologist Whitney Bowe, MD. “Adhere to a similar lifestyle and you’ve got a good chance of aging like she did.” To get to the bottom of these questions—like what causes varicose veins—we asked the experts to reveal how your features are affected by your genes, and for the truth behind seven common beauty myths. Time to debunk some false beauty beliefs and share the steps you can take now to look and feel great for years to come. What to Do About ItFor starters, body hair is completely normal and shaving is a personal choice. However, if you do choose to shave, it can have its benefits. For example, dermaplaning (shaving your face with a single blade to help remove dead skin cells and peach fuzz) can create a more seamless base for makeup application, allow for better absorption of other skincare products, and act as a physical exfoliator for glowier skin. Just avoid making these shaving mistakes—steady downward strokes, with the blade at a 45-degree angle, should be employed to prevent nicks. What to Do About ItWear sunscreen and sunglasses every day to protect your skin from UV damage. “If you find yourself squinting often while you’re inside, you might need glasses, or a different prescription, to reduce the strain on the skin around your eyes,” says Whitney Bowe, MD, a dermatologist in New York City. “You should also use a moisturizing eye cream that contains antioxidants to keep the area hydrated and prevent damage from free radicals triggered by the environment.” A good eye cream for day: Caudalie VineActiv Energizing and Smoothing Eye Cream ($39; sephora.com). At night, apply an eye cream with retinol or peptides, which can strengthen and repair skin. Try Roc Retinol Correxion Eye Cream ($25; ulta.com). If you still develop these fine lines—and they bother you—talk to your dermatologist about whether Botox or Dysport injections could soften their appearance. What to Do About ItFor healthy hair, eat a nutritious diet rich in iron, zinc, B vitamins, vitamin D, protein, and omega-3 fatty acids. It may help to take a nutritional supplement that’s formulated to promote thicker, fuller hair, says Dr. Zeichner. (We like Nutrafol for Women, $79 a month; nutrafol.com.) You could also try an over-the-counter topical product containing minoxidil (an FDA-approved treatment for hair loss). But if you’re noticing considerable thinning, see a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon who specializes in hair loss and can provide a stronger treatment. One option is laser or light therapy, in which visible red light is absorbed by the hair follicle, potentially stimulating growth; another is platelet-rich plasma injections, in which your own plasma is injected into your scalp so growth factors in the blood encourage your hair to grow. What to Do About ItClear pores look smaller than clogged ones, so use products that contain salicylic acid or retinol to exfoliate the dead skin cells that line the pores. Try product with 2 percent salicylic acid, plus hydrating hyaluronic acid to prevent dryness. Also, wear sunscreen religiously. When the sun damages the collagen in your skin, your pore walls lose elasticity and sag, making pores appear larger. If you have oily skin, act fast when it comes to treating blemishes: The longer oil sits and clogs pores, the more they grow. Use blotting papers to remove oil throughout the day, says Dr. Zeichner, such as Too Cool for School Dinoplatz Blotting Paper ($8; toocoolforschool.com). And don’t squeeze pores. Doing so leads to inflammation, which makes them bigger. If your pores are extremely noticeable and really annoy you, consider investing in microneedling. This treatment uses tiny needles to create microscopic wounds in the skin that trigger your body to build new collagen and elastin as part of the natural healing process. “This makes the walls of your pores firmer and appear smaller,” says Dr. Bowe. “It also helps topical treatments work better.” What to Do About ItSee your dermatologist. Some people confuse skin tags with other growths, such as warts, which feel firmer than skin tags. If a skin tag isn’t bothering you, there’s no need to remove it. But if you want it removed, your doctor can snip it off, says Dr. Day. “Don’t treat these yourself!” she urges. “The area can bleed a lot and get infected.” What to Do About ItWear sunscreen daily and protect the area with sunglasses whenever you go outside. Eye creams with peptides or hyaluronic acid, like Neutrogena Hydro Boost Gel Eye Cream ($21; walgreens.com), can prevent or minimize under-eye circles. And creams with retinol, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, niacinamide, or growth factors can help strengthen and thicken the skin, making blood vessels less visible, says Day. Try Dr. Dennis Gross C + Collagen Brighten & Firm Eye Cream ($65; sephora.com). If you’re prone to bluish discoloration, a product that has caffeine, such as 100% Pure Coffee Bean Caffeine Eye Cream ($29; 100percentpure.com), can constrict the blood vessels beneath the eyes, says Zeichner. The vitamin K cream Isdinceutics K-Ox Eyes ($93; isdin.com), has a similar effect, reducing reddish discoloration and puffiness. Have allergies? Take an antihistamine to reduce symptoms, and avoid rubbing your eyes. Be sure to remove eye makeup gently with a fragrance-free product, like Almay Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover Liquid ($20; amazon.com). If all else fails, invest in a good concealer that’s the right hue for you. We love Lancôme Teint Idole Ultra Wear Camouflage Concealer ($31; sephora.com), available in 19 shades. Your best bets: If your mom has bulging veins, you can lessen your risk of having as many by keeping your weight in a healthy range, staying physically active, and never smoking. Avoid sitting or standing for long periods; this causes blood pooling and increased pressure on the veins. “Elevate your legs when you can, and flex and point your feet when you’re sitting at your desk to stimulate circulation,” says Dr. Day. To prevent spider veins, slather legs with a broad-spectrum sunscreen, like Coola Body SPF 30 Body Unscented Moisturizer ($32; amazon.com), every day they’re exposed. If you’re unhappy with spider veins or varicose veins, talk to a dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon about injections to minimize their appearance.
