Humans reach the age of maturity at about 25, and from then it’s all downhill.” Associate professor Greg Goodman declared this somewhat horrifying statement on Friday at the ASAPS Symposium - Botox and fillers session.
I attended said symposium on Friday. Translated, that means I witnessed lectures by leading plastic surgeons and dermatologists on the latest breakthroughs in skincare, specifically anti-ageing.
On approach, I must admit I was worried that the language and topics were going to be far too advanced for my non-medial mind, and most of the content would go over my head. On the contrary, though, I found most of what was discussed to be helpful, informative and even, dare I say it, simple.
My favourite speaker of the morning had to be associate professor at Monash University, Greg Goodman, who spoke on the causes and treatment of ageing skin. Goodman’s approach was simple – the future of anti-ageing will be in preventative methods more so than the treatment of it.
Goodman identified the factors we all know are associated with ageing, namely, sun exposure and diet. Coming from a renowned dermatologist, for some reason I paid more attention. Some of the key points I took from Goodman include:
• Different skin types will age differently.
• Caucasians tend to be most affected by environmental damage.
• Caloric restriction can help ease the ageing process.
• Sugar gives you wrinkles.
• 95 per cent of the UV that reaches us is UVA, which is especially skin ageing.
• Personalised nutrition will be the way of the future
• Sunscreen is humans’ first line of defence against ageing; anti-oxidants are second.
• White and green teas are the best sources of antioxidants.
• You don’t need to continue to age – use sunscreens adequately and it could knock off 30 per cent of your sun damage.
For Goodman’s 10 pearls of wisdom”, click ASAPS Symposium – the science and treatment of ageing.
