KIMT News 3 – It’s happening to each and everyone of us right now: We are aging. While we can’t stop the hands of time, there are steps we can take to maintain a more youthful appearance.
We’re taking a look at some beauty trends that can help you look younger, and simplify your daily routine.
“There’s a lot of studies actually that show that 50% of Americans find that your smile is the first thing they notice when they meet you,” said Dr. Tricia Nelson, a dentist at Advanced Family Dental in Albert Lea.
Nelson says whitening your teeth is one of the simplest and safest ways to look younger and make a good first impression.
“So the rinses, the toothpastes, the white strips, those are all able to remove external stains relatively well. Things just from our daily life, so drinking dark colored beverages like tea and coffee, red wine, all of the good stuff,” Nelson said.
But with all the different products on the market, how do you know which one to choose?
“Things that are going to make your teeth stay whiter longer and give you more whitening are things that are going to keep whatever product you’re using in contact with your tooth longer. So if you think about that, something like a toothpaste or a rinse that you’re using a couple of times a day doesn’t touch your tooth for very long. So the strips are more likely to be a little more effective just because they’re in contact with your tooth for a longer period of time,” said Nelson.
But if your discoloration goes beyond the tooth’s surface, the over the counter products won’t work.
“So medications, age, if you have some cracking in your tooth, those kinds of things will not whiten from an over the counter product. And that’s when you need to seek out your dentist to come in and have some professional whitening done,” Nelson said.
Whether it’s from a toothpaste, or a trip to the dentist, a whiter smile can go a long way.
“It’s one of the easiest, least-invasive ways to just make you feel good about yourself,” said Nelson.
Along with your smile, many studies show that another feature people notice about you right away is your eyes. That’s likely why makeup like eyeliner and mascara is a big part of many people’s beauty routine.
“When you stop and think about how long it takes to apply your mascara, it can take a quite a while. Between getting every lash perfect, and then if you smudge it and then you’ve got to start all over,” said Brooke McKinney, a lash artist in Albert Lea.
McKinney helps dozens of women simplify their daily routine.
“You don’t have to wear mascara anymore with eyelash extensions. So they’re mess free, you know, you wake up in the morning and you have these beautiful, full lashes that are black, they have a curl to them and you’re ready to go,” said McKinney.
A big plus when it feels like there’s not enough hours in the day.
“Anywhere from professional women to stay at home moms. Everybody can benefit just due to the time it saves,” McKinney said.
When it comes to achieving a more youthful appearance, many people start with the skin.
“Your skin represents you,” said Nicolle Medina, a nurse practitioner at North Iowa Family Health Care in Mason City.
Medina also offers medical spa services, including Botox, fillers, and chemical peels.
“There’s just so many things out there now, and there’s newer things coming out that help you get that youthful look,” said Medina.
One service that’s growing in popularity is micro-needling. It’s a non-invasive procedure that causes micro-injury to the skin.
“So your natural process is then to repair itself. And so then you cause collagen repair and rejuvenation for basically new skin growth,” explained Medina.
It helps with everything from fine lines and wrinkles, to age spots and acne scars, and even tretch marks and hyper-pigmentation.
“If you feel confident and your skin looks health, other people see that, because you just have that confidence about you,” Medina said.
Of course, there are less expensive ways to maintain a more youthful appearance. Experts say staying hydrated, getting enough sleep, and exercising are key to looking and feeling your best.
For more information on all of the services featured in this story, follow these links:
Advanced Family Dental
http://northiowafamilyhealthcare.com/
http://www.makeupartistrybybrooke.com/