Mother’s Day has come and gone. But has it? Don’t get me wrong—it’s one of my favorite holidays ever. But if you’re like me, it takes a couple of days to recover. You’ve got to make sure all the burnt toast is out of the bed sheets. Find the perfect outfit to go with that new macaroni necklace. And suffer through the existential angst of wondering whether you’re turning into your own beloved mom.

The Good News

Whether or not you’ve picked up her habit of OCD deli drawer cleaning or have inherited her deep love of Dress Barn, if mom has aged well—chances are that you will, too. We inherit the rate at which our cells turn over, how quickly damage is repaired, and how much collagen is produced. More specifically, the sequences of DNA attached to the ends of chromosomes known as telomeres—which allow cells to divide without losing genetic coding—are thought to be inherited. Recent genetic studies suggest that those with longer telomere sequences live an average of five years longer with healthier-looking skin than those with shorter sequences.

Other factors that influence how well we age—and that we also inherit from our parents—include:

Face Shape—A neotenous or ‘baby face’ structure will help keep you looking young, well beyond your youth. Characteristics of this face shape include: large round eyes, round cheeks, a large curved forehead, small jaw, a small short nose and features that are located farther down on the face. High cheekbones are also an advantage – they help form the foundation for the upside-down ‘triangle of youth,’ and keep gravity in check more successfully and longer. Strong teeth and bones also help maintain this ‘triangle,’ as can strong facial symmetry.
Darker Skin Tone—The greater amount of melanin and sebum in olive and darker skin tones can help keep skin looking youthful longer.
Healthy, Thick Hair—Of course, genetics are not the only factor that come into play here—but if your parents’ have kept their hair, chances are that you will, too.

The Better News

You are born with your skin—and with its genetic predisposition. But you are not stuck with it. Recent advances in the fields of skin care and aesthetic dermatology have made it possible for everyone to maintain healthy beautiful skin longer, and without resorting to invasive procedures. Lasers, IPL, radiofrequency and ultrasound technologies firm and tighten skin, boost collagen production, reduce wrinkles, smooth texture, address hyperpigmentation, and can actually reverse damage from photoaging. Fillers and neuromodulators erase deep lines and even stress—recent studies have shown Botox not only keeps you frown frowning, it actually reduces depression levels. And the amazing breakthroughs in stem cell research are opening a whole new frontier of personalized aesthetics—procedures that use a patient’s own cellular tissue to turn back the biological clock.

The Important News

No one—and I mean no one—can maintain healthy youthful skin if they don’t maintain a healthy lifestyle. I don’t care if you have the world’s most fabulous DNA and a standing appointment with your dermatologist. Environmental damage to genetic code powerfully affects the way we age. These are the steps we all have to take:

Follow a regular skincare regimen. Cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize, and protect. Always wear a broad spectrum UVA/UVB sunscreen of at least SPF 30 and reapply it throughout the day. I don’t care if it’s winter, I don’t care if it’s raining, I don’t care if your dog ate it—buy another tube on the way into work and wear a hat until it’s on your face!
Stay out of tanning booths. Do you want to look ten-fifteen years older than your actual age? Do you want to exponentially raise your skin cancer risk by voluntarily exposing yourself to a class A carcinogen? ’Nough said.
Quit smoking. Sun exposure and smoking are the two worst things you can do to your skin.
Exercise regularly. It circulates more oxygen and nutrients to your skin, regulates hormones and reduces stress. Exercise is not optional—it is essential to maintaining youthful skin.
Reduce stress. Stress causes inflammation, and inflammation causes free radical damage.
Eat healthy. A well-balanced diet rich in anti-oxidants, vitamins and protein will support youthful skin—and your overall health.
Maintain your joie de vivre. There is a cyclical aspect to beauty: the better we feel, the better we look; and the more confidence we have in our appearance, the better we feel. Beauty truly does come from within. Keep a spring in your step, and your glow will shine through. You’ll help some other folks feel beautiful, too.

To learn more about skin cancer treatment, visit WebMD.com.