His & Her Aging: The Good, The Bad…And The Nose Hair
It seems men and women each do things a little differently even as they age. Here are the most apparent age-related differences.
SKIN
HERS: Due to a menopause-related drop in estrogen, women’s skin thins and produces less oils, which means they show their age sooner than men. It’s also about this time that women realize all the cautions about limiting sun exposure and wearing sunscreen were valuable. But research indicates that women with wrinkles are taken more seriously than younger women. Face-to-face encounters could get you exactly what you want at this time in your life.
HIS: Men’s skin benefits from higher levels of testosterone. Oil production remains high and the skin’s underlying fat layer doesn’t thin as soon. Wrinkles eventually show up by about age 70, usually along with suspicious spots on the forehead and top of the head, depending on lifetime sun exposure. As men age, sunscreen and hats become required gear and every new freckle should be taken seriously.
HAIR
HERS: After menopause, estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone all decrease leading to thinning hair. Very few women are happy about this eventuality, but it’s not just the hair on their heads that thins. They spend less time plucking, waxing and shaving and that is something to celebrate!
HIS: Some men’s hair follicles are sensitive to a hormone called DHT, which leads to age-related hair loss on the head. But the same hormone accelerates the growth of ear, nose and eyebrow hair. Meanwhile, about of third of men also experience hair loss on their calves.
BRAIN
HERS: As women age, their brains may react faster and memory function may be better compared to men. Unfortunately, more than 60% of the people with Alzheimer’s disease are women, so improved brain function among women isn’t a given. Research shows that regular exercise and healthy eating have a greater impact on brain health than any crossword puzzle or brain teaser, so get moving and fill up on brain foods!
HIS: Statistically, men develop cardiovascular disease earlier than women. The reduction in blood flow to the brain affects their mental abilities so men need to get moving even more than women. A daily walk or bike ride could result in improved problem solving and decision making abilities.
