How Dr. Doris Day Fights Aging Skin

Everyday Health
What are you doing to keep your skin looking young and healthy?
What are you doing to keep your skin looking young and healthy?

By Grace Gold, Everyday Health

As a respected dermatologist, Doris Day, MD, who is also a clinical assistant professor of dermatology at New York University, offers expertise in the field of anti-aging skin care. Here, she shares her best tips and advice on finding the most effective anti-aging regimen.

Everyday Health: When should we start an anti-aging skin care routine?

Doris Day: Birth! As soon as you're out of the womb, aging starts. Anti-aging means different things at different ages. The good news is that no matter how old you are, what you do starting today can make a big difference!

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The single most important step at any age is to use sun protection. Even if you've had years of exposure, stopping tanning and committing to sun protection of at least SPF 30 daily will allow your skin to repair itself. Just by incorporating this simple step, you will see a difference in skin radiance and elasticity.

EH: What are the most effective parts of an anti-aging skin care routine?

DD: A comprehensive anti-aging skin care routine includes sun protection, skin care products with retinols, peptides, and antioxidants as ingredients, and a leafy green diet rich in antioxidants. Additionally, treatments from your dermatologist like peels and fillers can do wonders to improve your skin.

RELATED: The Best Anti-Aging Treatments at Your Dermatologist's Office

EH: What lifestyle habits help fight aging?

DD: Getting enough sleep contributes to the fight against aging by aiding and enhancing the body's restorative processes. Having sex and experiencing that happiness and fulfillment both release hormones into the body that positively affect skin - giving you a healthy glow that's real!

EH: What's the biggest misconception about aging?

DD: It's untrue that when you hit a certain age, it's too late to do anything. The truth is, it's never too late to help yourself look and feel better. Our bodies are designed to self-repair if we give them the tools they need.

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EH: What advice on fighting aging do you share with your patients?

DD: For my patients, I devise an anti-aging plan that always includes skin care along with treatments I do in the office. There are outstanding devices and treatments your dermatologist can offer that are minimally invasive or noninvasive, which accelerate the anti-aging effort and can jump-start your path to looking and feeling your very best in a natural way. My goal is for my patients to look like the best version of themselves, and to look even better at 50 than they did at 40!

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This article originally appeared on EverydayHealth.com: How a Dermatologist Fights Aging Skin