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The Procrastinator's Guide to Anti-Aging

If you've been putting off a proper anti-aging skin care regimen, help is here
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Over time:
Hydroquinone is the gold standard for lightening dark spots over time, says Lupo. It works by reducing melanin, the pigment that gives your skin its color. Microdermabrasion or chemical peels can also reduce the appearance of mild cases of hyperpigmentation by resurfacing the skin and lifting facial pigmentation. For more severe cases of hyperpigmentation, there are a variety of laser treatments that your dermatologist can suggest based on your needs.

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Your Hands Reveal Your Age
Because the skin on your hands is so thin, and they're constantly exposed to the elements, it's only natural that the tops of the hands are often the first place women notice the signs of aging. Crepe-y skin and brown spots are some of the most common issues.

Quick fix:
A fresh manicure can do wonders for improving the appearance of your hands by drawing the eye away from dark spots and wrinkles. Don't believe us? A study conducted by plastic surgeons in England found that 49 percent of those polled thought photographs of women's hands looked younger when they were painted. To keep the signs of aging from getting worse, wear gloves outside in winter to prevent dryness and redness. At night, slather on hand cream with hyaluronic acid to plump the thinning skin and smooth out dry areas.

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Over time:
Lupo stresses the importance of using hand lotion with SPF to prevent dark spots and discoloration. She also suggests visiting your dermatologist for laser or filler treatments, which are being used more and more frequently on hands.

If you spend more than an hour in your car every day, consider wearing a pair of driving gloves to prevent sun damage. According to a study conducted by the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology, approximately 50 percent of skin cancer cases in the U.S. occur on the left (drivers') side of the body. If gloves aren't working for you, check out clear, UV-protective film that can be applied to the windows of your car -- it blocks up to 99.9 percent of UV rays, according to skincancer.org.

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Banish Turkey Neck
One of the most obvious signs of aging is a sagging neck and jaw line, and women have a tendency to neglect the skin on their necks until it's too late.

Quick fix:
The first thing you can do is adopt better posture by lengthening your neck and avoiding hunching your shoulders. Makeup artist Melanie Mills also recommends applying a good serum or lotion after cleansing. When it comes to finding an effective product, Mills says look for ingredients like sunscreen and exfoliants like salicylic acid or glycolic acid. "Along with exfoliating for smoother skin, these ingredients build more collagen and can help firm the skin," she says.

Mills also recommends using the same light-reflecting and wrinkle-filling primer on your neck that you use on your face "to deflect light and give a more perfected appearance."

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Over time:
Weight fluctuations can contribute to the sagging skin around your neck. Lupo says that the single best solution to "turkey neck" is to maintain a healthy weight. Also, don't neglect your neck in your daily skin care routine. Apply sunscreen and moisturizer to increase the skin's elasticity and protect it from damaging rays. If you notice drooping skin around your jawline, apply the same peptide, growth factor or retinoid product you use on your face to your neck and décolletage.

BY MARISSA DESANTIS | AUG 11, 2016 | SHARES
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