If you’re a fan of vintage Saturday Night Live, you are surely familiar with Billy Crystal in the role of Fernando, a send-up of Latin heart throb Fernando Lamas, telling viewers:
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What came as a surprise to the Costhetics research team is that there may be some truth to this idea! Research evidence from America shows that when you slow down visible signs of skin ageing, you actually do improve the way you feel about yourself.
“Outward appearance can have a significant impact on a person’s self-esteem, so ‘looking better’ both in one’s own eyes and in the eyes of others can add to self-esteem,” – Josh Klapow, psychologist and associate professor of public health, University of Alabama/Birmingham.
Klapow is quick to clarify that he doesn’t think a beauty makeover is a quick fix for a negative self-image. “…self-esteem is an internal experience that needs to be driven by far more than appearance,” he says.
Costhetics Looks at Self-Love, Self-Esteem, & Selfies
At Costhetics, we believe that self-love – the ability to look at yourself with compassion and acceptance – is something everyone can achieve. Self-love means you feel good about who you are on the inside and the outside. You don’t make judgements or excuses.
You see yourself exactly as you are and give yourself a thumbs-up every time
The “Cult of the Selfie” that has taken the world by storm can sometimes challenge even the most secure among us. Excruciatingly close close-ups reveal every line, wrinkle, or skin imperfection in equally excruciating detail.
The #1 Way to Save Your Skin & Your Self-Esteem
The biggest culprit in making our skin look old—beyond the simple passage of time—is the sun.
“Photoageing – or the changes induced by chronic UVA and UVB exposure – is responsible for accelerating the skin’s aging process” – Dr Marian Northington, Director of Cosmetic Dermatology, University Alabama/Binghamton
This problem isn’t limited to sun worshippers. Simply living daily life – going to the mailbox, heading out for a run, zipping back and forth from the car – can provide sufficient UVA/UVB exposure to age the skin prematurely.
Save Your Skin
Here are some recommendations for people who want to keep their skin looking as youthful and fresh as possible:
- Retinol – Using an over-the-counter cream with this vitamin A derivative can decrease the risk of skin cancer and improve skin tone and texture, preventing the dry, crepe-y looks associated with ageing.
- Laser resurfacing – Laser rejuvenation is an excellent way to improve wrinkles, pigmentation and skin texture problems.
- Dermal fillers – Fillers plump hallowed eyes, cheeks, and deflated lips to restore youthful roundness.
If you’re not happy with the skin you’re in and would like to explore how a little bit of pampering on the outside can make you feel good on the inside, too, Costhetics recommends that you visit a doctor. A trained professional can introduce you to a broad range of effective non-invasive treatments to reduce photoageing and raise self-image with little downtime.
What are you waiting for?