Women are often targeted by the media with anti-aging skincare advertisements, prompting them to approach dermatologists to get a younger look. This may also affect the dermatologists assuming a patient′s skincare goals considering sex, age, functional status and overall appearance.

Healthy aging is crucial for men as well as women, however, women often live longer than men thus highlighting the demand for maintaining healthy aging.

Dermatologists around the globe advocate these points to maintain healthy aging:

• Engaging in moderate, regular physical activity
• Having a sense of purpose
• Reducing stress
• Stopping eating when 80% full
• Opting for a plant-based diet and limiting meat intake
• Having a moderate red wine intake
• Maintaining societal connectedness
• Prioritizing one′s family
• Practicing spirituality or religion.

The fact is that dermatologists cannot make any patient younger. They play a crucial part in decreasing some skin changes of aging, however, they can’t reverse the process of aging. A frank and open discussion between the patients and their dermatologists is important to know their goals and the capabilities of a dermatologist. 

No cream or procedure can help completely reverse the signs of aging. Even the best procedures and cosmeceuticals have only a temporary effect, and multiple management strategies might be necessary to achieve the desired appearance. Dermatologists must explain to them the importance of healthy aging and address their specific concerns along with delivering general health recommendations.

Dermatologists are in a unique position, they can not only provide temporary cosmetic fixes for signs of cutaneous aging but can also address other factors that influence the process of healthy aging. By explaining the connection between healthy aging principles with skin health, dermatologists can guide and motivate patients, to make changes for a healthy lifespan and quality of life.

Source: Sreekantaswamy SA, Butler DC, Shah AA. Reframing aging in dermatology: the role of the dermatologist in healthy aging. Int J Womens Dermatol. 2021;7(5Part A):529-32.