Dr. Raymond Noordam, 31, is a senior researcher and epidemiologist at Leiden University Medical Center, specializing in aging research. In Santé, he addresses the question: "Why do some women look younger than they are?"
Raymond Noordam: "Whether man or woman, human DNA is 99.9 percent identical. The remaining variations—genetic differences—make us unique. They influence traits like eye color and, in some cases, risks for diseases or faster skin aging."
"Studies with twins show skin aging is about 50 percent determined by our genes. As we age, skin cells become less efficient at repairing damage from sun exposure and smoking. This leads to wrinkles (around mouth, nose, eyes), pigment spots, and lost elasticity. Interestingly, genes linked to skin aging also affect skin pigmentation. Most people follow a similar timeline: skin growth peaks around age 20, then gradually declines. Men and women age similarly here. Differences emerge later, shaped by life experiences. Diseases can accelerate skin aging, but by contrast, factors like excess weight in older adults can plump the skin with subcutaneous fat, filling wrinkles and creating a younger appearance."
"While genes set the foundation, you influence the rest through lifestyle. Sun exposure speeds up aging—the left arms of truck drivers often age faster than the right due to hanging out the driver's window. Smoking causes wrinkles via vascular damage. Research links chronic stress to elevated cortisol levels, accelerating skin aging processes. Barack Obama exemplifies this: post-presidency in 2016, he appeared grayer and older than at his 2008 inauguration. Constant stress leaves no recovery time for your body."
Image: Getty Images, source: Santé October 2019
