You may be 40 years old, but your skin could be 35 -- or maybe 50.
It's your Skin Virtual Age, or SVA, which renowned dermatologist Dr. Jeffrey Dover explains in his book, "The Youth Equation: Take 10 Years Off Your Face," which came out this month.
In the book, Dover discusses ways women and men can take care of their skin easily and affordably, he said during a recent phone interview.
"It's a program virtually everyone in America can afford, especially in these recessionary times."
Setting you on your way to healthier skin, though, involves a quick test -- the SVA Quiz, which helps people figure out how old their skin is. After all, he points out, your skin's virtual age is what matters more than its chronological one. (Take the quiz at tulsaworld.com/svaquiz.)
For example, a 43-year-old woman who has taken care of her skin may register as a 30-year-old in the quiz, Dover explained. But someone the same age who has been out in the sun without protection and smoked cigarettes might have an SVA that's much older.
Once you've determined your SVA, you can go to chapters in the book geared toward people in their 20s, 30s, 40s and so on. He offers simple guidelines on how to maintain skin health.
And the good news, as he said, is that it doesn't cost much money. Dover's favorite products are those available at mass-market retailers like Walgreens and Target -- like Olay, Neutrogena and L'Oreal. Dover also
has his own line of skin care, Skin Effects, prices for which range from $7 to $25.
The products in his line follow the motto of "cleanse, treat and prevent," he said. Cleanse your skin morning and night; prevent skin damage by wearing sunscreen; and use moisturizers.
You can find Dover's Skin Effects line at CVS stores nationwide, as well as tulsaworld.com/cvs.
Jason Ashley Wright 581-8483 jason.wright@tulsaworld.com To see more of the Tulsa World, or to subscribe to the newspaper, go to http://www.tulsaworld.com. Copyright (c) 2009, Tulsa World, Okla. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For reprints, email tmsreprints@permissionsgroup.com, call 800-374-7985 or 847-635-6550, send a fax to 847-635-6968, or write to The Permissions Group Inc., 1247 Milwaukee Ave., Suite 303, Glenview, IL 60025, USA.
Copyright (C) 2009, Tulsa World, Okla.