Part I. How to AGE in Reverse (or, EGA): An Age-Reversing Manual

Part I. Introduction.

Aging generally results in wrinkles, hair loss, weight gain, memory issues, and a general decline in physiological function. This is normal and is due to a variety of biological realities:

Mitochondrial dysfunction: You might remember from biology class long ago, the mitochondria are the powerhouse of the cells. As you might imagine, after a lifetime of hard work, these powerhouses begin to degrade, leading to reduced energy production, increased oxidative stress, and cell senescence. Mitochondrial dysfunction is also the primary cause of skin aging and premature hair loss [Source: “Reversing wrinkled skin and hair loss in mice by restoring mitochondrial function” by Singh et al., Cell Death & Disease, 2018].
Telomere shortening: Telomeres, protective caps on chromosomes, shorten with each cell division, eventually triggering cell senescence, where cells stop dividing and growing.
Loss of proper protein maintenance (proteostasis): Proteins are the most important molecules in our cells, catalyzing most biochemical reactions and being important for cell signaling and stability. If proteins are not well-maintained, they become impaired and accumulate. Misfolded proteins can clump together to form aggregates, a characteristic feature of many age-related neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson’s. An age-related decline in silica production results in less collagen, which in turn causes wrinkles and sagging skin.
Genomic instability: Our genetic material, DNA, is constantly being damaged by external and internal factors such as UV radiation or reactive oxygen species produced by dysfunctional mitochondria. Most of this damage is repaired immediately because cells have efficient detection and repair mechanisms. However, these repair processes are imperfect, and a small percentage of damaged DNA remains unrepaired and accumulates as we age. Such DNA mutations increase the risk of tumor growth [Roos et al. 2016, Nicolai et al. 2015] and of organ dysfunction.

Many of these realities cannot be controlled, but there are many things you CAN do to “age-reverse” (or EGA, which is “AGE” in reverse) to improve emotional and physical health as you age and to increase your odds of a long life well-lived. This age-reversing manual will provide a variety of EGA tips for you to consider.

Part II. Your skin (your largest organ).

What’s happening: As a person ages, their skin thins, becomes drier, and loses elasticity, leading to wrinkles, sagging, and age spots. These changes are due to the following:

Natural aging processes, driven primarily by mitochondrial dysfunction. Mitochondria are the powerhouse of every cell, but when they start to fail, they can cause a variety of diseases and conditions. Recently, failing mitochondria were linked to skin aging by a team of researchers led by Professor Keshav Singh, a thought leader in longevity (follow Dr. SIngh, along with his “mitochondriacs,” on social media). A breakthrough study titled, “Reversing wrinkled skin and hair loss in mice by restoring mitochondrial function” was published in one of the Nature publications [Cell Death & Disease].
Environmental factors, particularly sun exposure. A lesser factor is poor air quality, which can (i) lead to dryness and irritation and (ii) exacerbate existing conditions like eczema and acne.

Here's a more detailed look at the changes:

Thinner Skin: The epidermis (outer layer) and dermis (middle layer) both thin with age; this thinning makes the skin more fragile and prone to injury, and it contributes to the appearance of wrinkles and sagging.
Loss of Elasticity: The dermis loses collagen (partly due to our body’s reduced production of silica) and elastin, proteins that provide skin firmness and elasticity. This loss of elasticity leads to sagging and wrinkles.
Dryness: Older skin produces less sebum (natural oil) and sweat, leading to dryness, which is more prone to becoming itchy and more susceptible to irritation.
Pigmentation Changes: Age spots (also called liver spots or lentigos) often appear, especially in sun-exposed areas.
Increased Bruising: Thinning skin and loss of fat can make blood vessels more visible and prone to breakage, resulting in easier bruising.
Reduced Healing: The skin's ability to repair itself decreases with age, making it slower to heal.
Other Changes: Skin tags, warts, and other noncancerous growths are more common in older adults. In addition, sun damage accumulates over time, leading to wrinkles, age spots, and an increased risk of skin cancers.

EGA tips for aging skin:

Keep your skin clean, but do not over-wash. Consider minimizing your use of soap (ideally a gentle cleanser). Know that soap does not sanitize or kill germs; rather it helps to detach dirt, oils, and microbes from the skin, which are then washed away—a good rinsing/scrubbing can be just as effective. Also, soap's harsh nature can strip the skin's protective oils, potentially compromising its barrier function. If your skin has special needs, seek targeted products and/or talk to your dermatologist.
Hydrate the skin once or twice per day. Consider hydrators/moisturizers that contain silica (like twentyfour’s products), as silica supports collagen production, improves skin elasticity, aids in reducing wrinkles, and improves overall skin texture—it is important to note that our bodies lose the ability to produce silica as we age.
Use an anti-aging product. Avoid retinols, as they tend to be harsh on skin, especially sensitive skin. Consider products containing Y100™, as they outperform the retinols. Y100 is also natural, can be applied AM and/or PM, is not photo-sensitive, and is pregnancy-safe.
Minimize the number of ingredients in your products in order to minimize the chance of an allergic reaction or the chance of something not pairing well with ingredients in your other products. StepZero™ Age-Reversing Powder is the leader in the category, by far, with only three ingredients (it also is ~75% silica—see above).
Do not use products that contain fragrance. Many fragrances contain allergens, but it is impossible to tell what exactly is contained in the fragrance as the FDA allows a fragrance to be listed as, simply, “fragrance” in the ingredient list.

Part III. Your hair (your connection to your youth).

What’s happening: As you age, your hair often becomes thinner, loses its color (turning gray or white), and becomes drier and more brittle. These changes are due to a combination of factors, as follows:

Slower Growth Cycle: The hair growth cycle slows down, meaning hair spends less time actively growing and more time resting or shedding.

Shrinking Follicles: Hair follicles, the tiny pockets in the skin that produce hair, may shrink, resulting in thinner strands.
Reduced Density: As follicles shrink or stop producing hair altogether, overall hair density decreases, making the hair appear thinner.
Hair Loss: In some cases, hair loss can occur as follicles stop producing new hair.
Reduced Pigment: As you age, the pigment cells (melanocytes) in hair follicles produce less melanin, the pigment that gives hair its color, leading to gray or white hair.
Dryness and Brittleness: Hair may become drier and more brittle due to reduced sebum (natural oils) production by the scalp.

EGA tips to promote hair health:

Healthy Diet: Eating a balanced diet with essential nutrients can support healthy hair.
Gentle Hair Care: Use gentle shampoos and conditioners, and avoid harsh chemicals and excessive heat styling. Consider using shampoos only once or twice per week—some have good results with no shampoo ever—just massaging the scalp in the shower.
Sun Protection: Protect your hair from the sun's damaging UV rays.
Consult a Professional: If you have concerns about significant hair loss or changes, try non-prescription products (BosleyMD’s Revive+ product gets great reviews) and/or consult with a dermatologist or hair specialist.