Age me not

These days what matters is not how old you are but how old you look. Active! Looks at some fun solutions to keep you looking young forever

Age me not

These days what matters is not how old you are but how old you look. Active! Looks at some fun solutions to keep you looking young forever

It is said that 'Forties are the new Twenties' today and looking old is no longer a badge of honour and experience.

Making age stand still has become a common mantra and while technology can aid a great deal in reversing the ageing process, nothing works better than leading a healthy lifestyle. Eating a well-balanced diet combined with exercise works wonders not just on one's physical appearance but also on one's mental well-being. However, food and exercise apart there are plenty of ways to help one look a sweet 16 or at least 26 forever, and here's a look at some of them.

>> Use anti-ageing linen to stay young: A range of pillowcases and comforters are the latest inventions in the anti-ageing market. The SkinGlows Cupron Copper Technology linen promises to soften skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles within four weeks. The entire range is eco-friendly and involves copper ions woven into the fabric which get activated by body moisture and start having an effect on the skin. For the linen to really work wonders, it is essential that it have direct contact with the skin. So, if you shy away from sleeping in the buff, this solution isn't meant for you.

>> Opt for vampire skin treatments: Though this may sound bizarre, a lot of skin care experts are using the vampire dracula therapy to reverse ageing. This treatment is touted to give one immortal, wrinkle-free skin. Invented by French doctor Daniel Sister, the treatment involves injecting one's face with one's own blood. This is S3 or Self Stimulated Serum therapy, where the DNA gets stimulated when the blood is injected and heals scars, repairs lackluster skin and removes wrinkles. There is no laser, peels or botox involved, just that it's a tad gory.

>> Apply bird poop facials: This treatment has become quite a rage, such that fashionista Victoria Beckham is a big fan of this solution and often applies Nightingale poop to look evergreen. Called Geisha facials, this is an ancient Japanese treatment, which brightens, fuels and rinses the skin.The way it works is that the poop of a specific type of nightingale, the Japanese Bush Warbler, is acquired and mixed with rice bran to create the solution. Those who've used it say that the smell may be musky or medicinal but definitely not 'fowl'. Some relief that.

>> Add antioxidants to the diet: Antioxidants are a group of substances that help you look young and neutralise what scientists call "free radicals". According to a theory formulated by a biochemist at the University of Nebraska College of Medicine, free radicals cause damage that is directly responsible for the ageing process. Vitamin A, which can be found in carrots, squash, spinach and Vitamin C, which can be found in citrus fruits, are rich sources of antioxidants. Add these to your diet.

>> Build bone density: Most adults lose one percent of bone mass annually and as we grow older our bones become lighter and more porous putting us at a greater risk of fractures. Women fall in the higher risk group of low bone density. The best way to increase bone density is by taking up exercises including walking, cycling, swimming or even weight training. It's also a good idea to have a tablespoon of cod liver oil, which is rich in Vitamin D and great for the bones, daily.