Changing Your Appearance
Choose a trendier hairstyle that suits your face. A new haircut is a great way to appear younger. If your hair is on the longer side, a side-part quaff or slick can be a great way to update your hair without looking like you’re trying too hard. If your hair is shorter or you’re partially balding, the high and tight is a strong, simple choice.Tip: While it won’t work for everyone, consider shaving your facial hair. Beards, moustaches, and goatees subconsciously send the message that you’re older. If you’re balding and your hairline has receded dramatically, try leaning into it and just shaving your head. If it looks like a conscious choice to shave your head, you won’t look like you’re trying to cover anything up! When choosing a new cut, pay attention to the shape of your face. A big, frizzy cut won’t work well with a longer face, while slicking back your hair may be a mistake if you’ve got a rectangular head.
Dye or trim your gray hairs to keep your hair looking youthful. If you find a few gray hairs, trim them off. If lots of gray hair is coming in at a faster rate, go to a salon and get your hair dyed to match the color that it was when you were younger. You can also use a DIY hair dye, but it can be difficult to get a quality dye job on your own if you’ve never done it before. If you aren’t trying to call attention to yourself, avoid dyeing your hair bright or unnatural colors.
Update your wardrobe with some age-appropriate clothes. Go through your closet and identify any clothes that look dated. Donate them and update your wardrobe. Go shopping and pick up some slightly tighter pants, trendier suits, and new shirts. Experiment with different styles. However, keep your clothes age-appropriate by staying away from items that are clearly designed for people more than 10 years older than you are. You don’t want to buy clothes that are way too young for you. If you’re in your forties and buy clothes based on teenage trends, you’re going to look like you’re trying too hard. For business attire, some thinner, cooler ties are a great way to stand out as youthful and modern. When it comes to headwear, stay away from visors and low-profile baseball hats. These are typically associated with an older crowd. Journal to keep track of what outfits made you feel the best.
Practice good skincare. Taking care of your skin will keep it looking healthy and young for longer. Remember to wash your face twice a day—once in the morning and once before bed. Apply a moisturizer to your face after you wash it, which will make your skin look smoother and help prevent wrinkles. You should also exfoliate your skin with a facial scrub or chemical exfoliator a few times a week. Exfoliating will remove dead skin cells and give your skin a brighter, more youthful glow. Sun damage can cause premature aging, so always wear sunscreen when you're outdoors. Apply body lotion every day to keep your skin soft and hydrated.
Trim your eyebrow, nose, and ear hair to get rid of unwanted hair. As you age, the hair inside of your ears and nostrils tend to grow long and become unruly. Get a nose hair trimmer and cut any hairs that are sticking out of your nose. Trim ear hair with a special clipper or grooming scissors. Inspect your brow regularly for stray hairs that seem out of place and pluck them. Pay attention to the back of your neck as well. Shave or trim this area as needed to keep your neck smooth and clear.
Get a teeth whitening treatment to keep your teeth bright and clean. A bright smile communicates youthfulness and confidence. If your dental hygiene has fallen off a little over the years, get teeth whitening strips and follow the instructions on the label to brighten your teeth. Brush your teeth and floss every day to keep your teeth healthy and bright.
Get sunspots removed by a medical professional. If you have any visible sunspots, consult a dermatologist to see if you can get them removed. You may be able to take a medication or rub a bleaching cream into the spot to remove the spots. Otherwise, you can reach out to a skin rejuvenation clinic to get them frozen or peeled off. Sunspots are often called liver spots. They’re harmless, but they can make you look a lot older than you are.
Talk to your doctor about getting Botox or fillers. To see if you may benefit from a non-invasive medical procedure, talk to your primary care doctor. Botox injections are a great way to rejuvenate your skin and soften wrinkles or crow’s feet. Fillers can be injected into your skin to raise it and create a softer overall appearance. Discuss these options with your doctor before contacting a rejuvenation clinic. If you haven’t really aged much, getting too much Botox and fillers can actually have the unintended effect of making you look older.
Making Lifestyle Changes
Work out regularly to stay healthy and look your best. Go to the gym at least 3 times a week and start a regular workout routine. If you want to bulk up, start weight training. Alternatively, you can join a recreational sports league to have some fun while working out. Running and practicing yoga are great ways to exercise your body without risking injury from heavy weights or contact sports. Cardio and lightweight resistance training are better for weight loss than heavy lifting. If you lead a busy life and struggle to find a way to the gym, working out for even 10 minutes a day can improve your metabolism.
Eat a healthy diet to stay fit and shed any excess weight. Ditch sugar and start drinking water instead of soda or sugary juices. Stick with lean meats and cut out fast food entirely. Cut back on junk food and limit your portions to a reasonable size. Eat a variety of vegetables and fruits every day to ensure that your body gets enough of the nutrients it needs. People tend to naturally gain weight as they grow older. This means that you can easily appear 5-10 years younger just by trimming down. Whitney Bowe Whitney Bowe, Integrative Dermatology Expert Your diet can play a big role in how your skin looks and feels. Eating a diet rich in antioxidants, healthy fats, and other nutrients can help protect your skin from damage and keep it looking youthful.
Get more sleep to stay alert and feel younger. Stereotypically speaking, older men tend to move slower than younger men. One of the most common causes of lethargy is a lack of sleep. Get at least 8 hours of sleep every night to stay refreshed and alert throughout your day. People will naturally assume that you’re younger if you seem quick on your feet and wide awake!
Stand and sit up straight to look lean and confident. Stand with your spine straight, chest out, and keep your core tight. This will make you look taller and more confident, which can make you seem younger. When sitting, avoid slouching or leaning back. Sitting up straight conveys power and control, which can help you feel and appear more youthful. Standing up straight will also make you seem a little thinner, which can help you appear younger.
Limit your alcohol intake and quit smoking to avoid aging prematurely. Heavy alcohol consumption can accelerate the aging process. Prolonged abuse can damage your skin and affect your health in ways that make you appear older. The nicotine in cigarettes can narrow the blood vessels in your skin, making your skin sag as you age. Limit your alcohol use and quit smoking if you’re a smoker to avoid prolonged effects. Smoking can also cause wrinkles to occur prematurely.
Staying Young at Heart
Expose yourself to new foods, experiences, and locations. It’s easy to feel old if you do the same thing all the time. Go to restaurants you’ve never been to and try foods you’re unfamiliar with. Take a class to learn a new hobby or skill. Travel to places that you’ve never been. Exposing yourself to new things will open your worldview and expand your mind. This will have the added benefit of making you appear more open to new experiences when you talk about how you spend your time. This can make you seem younger than you are as well. EXPERT TIP Adam Dorsay, PsyD Adam Dorsay, PsyD Licensed Psychologist & TEDx Speaker Dr. Adam Dorsay is a licensed psychologist in private practice in San Jose, CA, and the co-creator of Project Reciprocity, an international program at Facebook's Headquarters, and a consultant with Digital Ocean’s Safety Team. He specializes in assisting high-achieving adults with relationship issues, stress reduction, anxiety, and attaining more happiness in their lives. In 2016 he gave a well-watched TEDx talk about men and emotions. Dr. Dorsay has a M.A. in Counseling from Santa Clara University and received his doctorate in Clinical Psychology in 2008. Adam Dorsay, PsyD Adam Dorsay, PsyD Licensed Psychologist & TEDx Speaker Learn a new language. Take on new physical, intellectual, and psychological challenges. Try therapy. All of these things can make you stronger mentally or physically.
Be spontaneous and say “yes” more often. Stereotypically speaking, older people tend to be more set in their ways. Being impulsive and spontaneous is a great way to seem younger than you are. Accept random invitations, agree to join people when they invite you out, and find more ways to say “yes” to come off as younger than you are. This is particularly important when it comes to offers to hang out or grab some food. The next time your coworkers invite you out for after-work drinks, say, “Yeah, let’s do it!” instead of “I’m kind of tired. Not today.” Word will quickly get around that you’re a good person to go to for a good time!
Forget about acting your age and enjoy yourself. Don’t worry about the way people perceive you. If you’re constantly worried about how you come off, people will assume that you’re stiff and rigid. Generally speaking, younger people are less conscious about concealing their age. Do what makes you happy and ignore stereotypes about old age to feel and act younger.
Engage in activities you enjoyed when you were younger. While it may seem counterintuitive, doing things that you enjoyed when you were younger will remind you of what it feels like to be young. If you have a favorite record or movie from your younger days, revisit it. If you used to play basketball but have given it up in recent years, find a court near you and shoot around every once in a while.Tip: Doing things that you used to love will subconsciously make you feel younger. It will also put you in a better mood!
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