Men: How to Look 10 Years Younger

Color gray hair, or give it a youthful feel with an updated haircut.

Historically, women have been more concerned with the effects of aging, while men have simply grown more "distinguished" with age. Recent studies, however, show that men between the ages of 45 and 55 are increasingly dissatisfied with their appearance. Their concerns range from hair loss to belly fat to a lack of muscular definition, according to the Social Issues Research Center. Many men want to look more youthful these days to advance or maintain power in the workplace and to enhance their appeal to the opposite sex. There are a variety of approaches men can take to look 10 years younger.

Instructions

1. Exercise three times a week for at least an hour each time. A study in the "Archives of Internal Medicine" found that people who exercise vigorously for three hours each week report feeling 10 years younger than those who don't. Exercise will also keep you looking slimmer and more toned, a key sign of youth.

2. Eat a healthy diet full of vegetables, healthy grains and lean protein, and consider taking a daily multi-vitamin. In addition to keeping extra weight off, healthy diets promote clear, more youthful-looking skin.

3. Avoid drinking too many alcoholic beverages. Drinks not only add empty calories to your diet that can lead to the dreaded "beer belly," but also dehydrate skin and can cause more serious diseases. According to a study of 6,000 patients in the "Journal of the American Medical Association," you are 97 percent more likely to reach the age of 85 if you keep alcohol consumption to less than three drinks a day.

4. Care for your skin to keep wrinkles and dark spots at bay. Always wear sunscreen to protect skin from harmful UV rays, the number one cause of skin aging. Apply a moisturizer every morning and night that contains anti-aging ingredients -- like retinol and antioxidants -- to keep skin looking young without going under the knife.

5. Change your hairstyle if it is outdated. Look at male celebrities in your age group for ideas. If your hair is gray, consider coloring it darker. If you are experiencing hair loss, cutting hair short will make it appear thicker, since longer hair tends to part and reveal the scalp you are trying to hide.

6. Whiten teeth for an instantly younger-looking smile. There are many inexpensive white strips available for home use that lighten teeth over a week or more of treatment. Visit the dentist for a quicker in-office laser whitening treatment, or to fix any other cosmetic dental issues.

7. Update your wardrobe with a few key pieces, like shoes and jackets. Peruse fashion magazines and look to male celebrities in your age range for inspiration, but avoid going overboard. Wearing styles that are too young for you -- like tight jeans or brightly colored sneakers -- can actually make you look older.

References

• Social Issues Research Centre: Mirror, Mirror
• "Men's Health" Magazine: Age Erasers
• Mens Total Fitness: 5 Tips to Help You Look and Feel 10 Years Younger
• "Reader's Digest": Look 10 Years Younger--Without Surgery