The FaceApp is taking social media by storm as celebrities and social media users across the nation morph their faces to look decades older. While it is currently being used for comedic purposes, you may have patients asking how to keep the app from turning into reality.

Rajani Katta, MD, a dermatologist and clinical faculty member at Baylor College of Medicine, offers three major ways to combat signs of aging no matter how old you are. Patients can be counseled to follow these three simple tips:

1. Be Careful with Sun Exposure
To decrease sun damage to your skin, Dr. Katta recommends wearing big sunglasses to protect the skin around your eyes, a wide brimmed hat while in the sun and seeking shade whenever possible. She adds that it is important to find a broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF 30 or above) that can be worn every day, even if it is cloudy or you are driving in the car.

“There is a significant amount of UV radiation that can come through window glass,” Dr. Katta said. “It can cause lop-sided aging especially when you are driving, so it is important to wear sunscreen even while in the car.”

2. Eat the Right Foods
Diet can have a major impact on the skin. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun results in free radicals that cause premature skin aging, Dr. Katta explains. Patients may be unaware that this can be combated by eating a diet full of antioxidant-rich foods like blueberries and spinach.

“While our body contains antioxidants to quench free radicals, it is essential to eat plenty of foods that can replenish those antioxidants,” Dr. Katta sats. “On the other hand, eating a diet full of processed carbs and added sugar can elevate blood sugar levels, which lead to collagen damage and premature wrinkling.”

For more on which foods can benefit the skin and which can have a detrimental effect, watch Dr. Katta's interview with Practical Dermatology and DermTube here. 

3. Choose the Right Skin Care
People of all ages should choose skin care products that promote sun protection, but it is also essential to choose products that cater to individual skin’s needs. For those beginning to notice premature wrinkling or aging, Dr. Katta says a visit to a dermatologist is advised to learn about the best indvidualized treatment plan for products and procedures.