After a certain age, most women (and some men) will go to great lengths to keep their skin looking younger.
These days, there are several different ways to diminish the look of wrinkles, brown spots and other visual indicators of age.
However, when it comes to maintaining that youthful glow, prevention is the name of the game and you need to start early.
Starting in adolescence, says Judy Drew, who owns Atlantis Day Spa and has worked in the industry for more than 20 years, it's important for teens to exfoliate regularly and use sunscreen and a basic moisturizer daily.
Using sunscreen, even through the winter, is key to helping slowing the clock when it comes to the age of your skin.
"It prevents the aging process," Drew says.
Louise Dannhauer, part owner of Spa Time, also recommends teens also use a good pH balanced cleanser and a product with salicylic acid to help with any blemishes.
That simple regime should be all that's needed into your mid-20s.
For people in their mid-20s to 30s, Dannhauer recommends starting to look for products with anti-aging ingredients. Sunscreen is still important, she said, as well getting plenty of sleep, drinking lots of water and exercising can all help improve the look of skin.
At this point, the skin's cycle is starting to slow down and needs a little extra help.
Once you get into the mid30s to 40s, most people will start to see quite a change in their skin, she said. And how you cared for your skin in your younger days has a direct effect on how it ages.
"It really relates to how we take care of our skin when we're young," Drew said, adding that the skin has a good memory when it comes to sun damage.
For those looking to turn back the clock for their skin, there is a whole range of treatments and procedures that can help shave years off your skin.
For those looking to bring back a bit of that youthful glow, Drew recommends a chemical peel or micro-dermabrasion.
Both offer a more intense exfoliation than can be achieved at home and can be done separately or combined.
Micro-dermabrasion can help erase fine lines and improve the look of wrinkles, as well as repair sun damage and pigmentation problems.
The treatment stimulates cell regeneration and promotes smoother, brighter and younger looking skin.
Dannhauer says that anyone over the age of 40 can have the treatment done as often as every four weeks.
For those looking for treatments that pack a bit more punch, botox, fillers and even lasers can be used, either alone or in addition to other treatments, to take years off a face by getting ride of lines and wrinkles, tighten or resurface the skin, and remove age spots. Last year, Drew expanded the services she offers to include botox and fillers, and now has a doctor on staff to carry out those procedures.
