The Pro-Aging Guide: Aging with Intention
September: A Month of Renewal
September marks National Healthy Aging Month and Yoga Awareness Month- two reminders that the way we move, fuel, and care for our bodies shapes how we age.
As a lifestyle dermatologist, I know firsthand: the skin doesn’t age in isolation. It reflects what’s happening with your muscles, bones, hormones, nutrition, and stress levels. Pro-aging isn’t about resisting time, it's about choosing practices that help you thrive.
Pro-Aging, Not Anti-Aging
Instead of “anti-aging,” I use the term pro-aging. Why?
Because the goal isn’t to fight years, it’s to age intentionally.
That means focusing on:
- Protein: Preserves lean muscle, bone density, and collagen. Supports firmer, more resilient skin.
- Creatine: Enhances strength, energy, recovery, and cognitive function-especially powerful when combined with resistance training.
- Vitamin D: Essential for bone health, immunity, and even skin barrier function. Particularly important for melanin-rich skin, where natural vitamin D production is lower.
- Magnesium: Critical for muscle recovery, sleep quality, and stress regulation. Magnesium also plays a role in energy and collagen synthesis—making it a quiet but powerful pro-aging ally.
Yoga as a Longevity Tool
Yoga is more than a flexibility practice. It's a science of aging well.
Research shows it:
- Lowers cortisol (the stress hormone linked to flare-ups).
- Improves balance and bone strength, reducing fall risk.
- Boosts circulation, giving skin that “post-flow glow.”
- Enhances sleep and mental clarity- key for repair and collagen renewal.
My Warm-Up Flow
Here’s one of my go-to routines that blends yoga principles with core stability:
- Bird Dog Isolations: Right arm back × 5, Left arm back × 5, Right leg back × 5, Left leg back × 5.
- Bird Dog (Opposite Arm + Leg): 10 slow, controlled reps.
- In & Outs (All Limbs): Extend arms and legs outward, then draw them back in × 10.
- Plank Hold: 2 minutes, focusing on core, glutes, and shoulders.
This sequence activates stability muscles, strengthens your spine, and prepares your body for any movement ahead- all while connecting breath to motion.
Skin and Seasonal Shifts
As we transition out of summer, it’s not just our routines that need attention- our skin does too. Months of sun exposure, sweat, and travel can leave behind hyperpigmentation, rough texture, and UV damage. Fall is the perfect time to reset with barrier-focused skincare and professional treatments that support long-term skin health.
Now that summer has ended, it’s the ideal time to schedule your annual skin check. Early detection is key in preventing skin cancers and treating sun-related damage. Pair your check with a customized plan that supports both your skin barrier and your pro-aging goals.
At every stage of life, remember: radiant skin is a lifestyle.
