Aging does not have a single cause, but rather a perfect storm of various types of wear and tear at the cellular and molecular level. The main mechanisms are:

• Telomere shortening: Telomeres are like the plastic tips on shoelaces. Every time a cell divides, that "plastic" gets shorter. When it disappears, the cell stops dividing or dies.
• Mitochondrial dysfunction: Mitochondria are your cells' batteries. Over time, they produce less energy and more "toxic waste" (free radicals).
• Oxidative damage and "dirty" DNA: Genetic mutations and "misfolded" proteins accumulate that the body cannot clear.
• Hormonal decline: From age 40-50, the production of sex and growth hormones declines.
• Loss of scaffolding: Production of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid decreases, causing the skin to sag.

Genetic inheritance only determines approximately 25% of longevity. This means that the remaining 75% depends on your habits and lifestyle. As Dr. Ángel Durántez points out, carbohydrate metabolism is one of the pillars of aging, and we can modulate it with our daily habits.

It is an open debate. The WHO includes aging as an "associated problem", and scientists like David Sinclair argue that, as a disease, it may one day be treatable. What we do know today is that certain interventions can reverse epigenetic age (the age your DNA shows), making your cells behave as if they were 5 or 10 years younger.

Sleep is not a luxury; it is the time when your brain eliminates toxins (glymphatic system) and your cells repair DNA. Lack of sleep increases cortisol (which destroys collagen) and shortens telomeres. Sleep 7-9 hours daily.

The combination of strength training + cardio is the best strategy. Lifting weights generates hormones that maintain muscle mass and bone density. Cardio improves circulation. A sedentary lifestyle is as aging as smoking.

The Mediterranean diet has the most scientific evidence. Rich in olive oil, fish and vegetables, it reduces inflammation and protects the heart and brain. Additionally, a personalised diet (nutrigenetics) can avoid the toxic effects of metabolic waste that accumulate in cells.

Excess sugar binds to collagen through a process called "glycation", making it rigid and brittle. Literally, sugar hardens your skin from within. Proteins, omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants are essential for tissue repair and regeneration.

Yes. Chronic stress raises cortisol, which degrades collagen and accelerates cellular aging. Interestingly, having a solid network of friends or a partner is one of the most powerful scientifically proven longevity factors (as demonstrated by the "Blue Zones" of the planet, where people reach 100 years while being active).

Yes, it is the topical ingredient with the most evidence. Retinol (a derivative of vitamin A) stimulates collagen production, softens wrinkles and improves skin texture. It requires patience (results in 3-6 months) and can be irritating at first, but the skin adapts. It strengthens the skin barrier, reduces transepidermal water loss and protects existing collagen.

Yes, it is a powerful antioxidant that brightens the skin, protects against sun damage and helps produce collagen. Vitamin C neutralises free radicals from UV light, pollution and stress. 20% concentrations can reduce wrinkle depth by 30% and improve tone uniformity by 58% in 28 days.

Your body digests it into amino acids and decides where to use them (bones, tendons...). It does not go directly to your wrinkles. It can slightly improve general skin hydration if taken continuously (about 10g per day), but the effect is modest and does not fill structural wrinkles like an injection would.

They provide a pleasant massage that temporarily drains fluids (perhaps a few hours), but they do not generate collagen or stop aging. Their effect is cosmetic and very temporary.

Preventive Botox is a reality. If used before the wrinkle becomes visible at rest, it prevents it from becoming permanent. It relaxes the muscle that creates the expression line. In the long term, it does not weaken or cause facial sagging; on the contrary, it keeps the skin smooth.

Sculptra (poly-L-lactic acid) is a collagen stimulator, not a traditional filler. Unlike hyaluronic acid, it does not provide immediate volume, but rather stimulates your body to produce its own collagen. The result is more natural and lasts between 2 and 3 years. It is mainly used to restore lost volume in the cheeks, nasolabial folds and mild sagging.

Microneedling (also known as dermapen or micro-needling) creates controlled micro-injuries with fine sterile needles to stimulate collagen and elastin production. It is effective for:

• Fine lines and expression wrinkles
• Acne scars
• Uneven skin texture
• Enlarged pores

It requires several sessions and results are progressive over weeks.

Yes, it is one of its great advantages. Injectable hyaluronic acid can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase if the result is not desired or if a complication occurs. It provides immediate volume and lasts between 6 and 18 months depending on the area and product.

PRP is obtained from your own blood. After centrifugation, plasma with a high concentration of platelets and growth factors is separated and injected into the skin to stimulate cell regeneration, collagen production and new blood vessel formation. It is an autologous treatment (using your own material), which minimises the risk of adverse reactions.

Metformin is an anti-diabetic drug that has been used for over 60 years. Interest in longevity arose from an unexpected observation: people with diabetes treated with metformin had lower mortality than people without diabetes.

How does it work? It activates AMPK (the cell's energy sensor), inhibits mTOR, reduces inflammation and improves insulin sensitivity.

NAD+ is an essential molecule for life: it participates in hundreds of metabolic reactions, is key for mitochondrial function and acts as a substrate for DNA repair enzymes called sirtuins. The problem: NAD+ levels drop by approximately half between ages 40 and 60.

NMN and NR are NAD+ precursors. The idea is that by providing the cell with the materials to make more NAD+, we could restore youthful levels and slow aging. In mice, it works wonderfully. In humans, studies are small and preliminary.

Rapamycin is an immunosuppressive drug that inhibits the mTOR pathway (a nutrient sensor). In animals, it prolongs the life of middle-aged mice by up to 60%.

Resveratrol activates sirtuins (enzymes involved in DNA repair). In yeast, worm and fly studies, it prolongs life. The major problem is bioavailability: it is very poorly absorbed in humans. When taken orally, most is metabolised in the liver and intestines before reaching the bloodstream. Current evidence does not support its use as an anti-aging supplement.

If you are a healthy, well-nourished person, no. You will only get expensive hydration and a placebo effect. If you have serious deficiencies, oral supplements are safer. Scientific evidence does not support the use of IV Drips for rejuvenation in healthy people.

It improves general skin hydration and elasticity if taken continuously (about 10g per day), but does not fill structural wrinkles like hyaluronic acid injections or collagen stimulators like Sculptra would.

They promise to regenerate tissues, but evidence in aesthetics is very limited and there is a risk of tumour formation. The only valid method is lipofilling (using your own body fat, which does contain valid and safe stem cells).

They have medical use for wounds or inflammation, but they do not "rejuvenate cells" or destroy wrinkles in a proven way. Their use for anti-aging is more marketing than science.

It can be when it becomes a pathological obsession (dysmorphia) or when you spend disproportionate amounts of money. It is important to remember something fundamental: aging is a privilege denied to many. Wrinkles are the map of a lived life. The goal is not to look 20 at 60, but to feel good in your own skin at any age.

The world would change dramatically:

• Who would have access? Probably only the rich, creating an unprecedented biological class division.
• The economic system would collapse: Pensions are calculated for people to live to 80, not 150.
• If no one dies of old age, there would be no housing, food or jobs for new generations.
• From a philosophical point of view, much of what makes us human is knowing that our time is limited; it gives meaning to our decisions.

The set of medical, nutritional and lifestyle strategies to delay biological deterioration and maintain health and good appearance over the years.

Slowing it down and improving how we experience it is possible. Completely reversing it is not yet possible, although biological (epigenetic) age has been reduced through healthy habits.

Sleeping well, strength training, following a Mediterranean-style diet, not smoking, managing stress and using daily sunscreen.

It improves general skin hydration and elasticity if taken continuously (about 10g per day), but does not fill structural wrinkles like an injection would.

No. Efficacy depends on active ingredients (retinol, vitamin C, peptides), not price or brand. A £30 pharmacy cream usually has the same scientific basis as a £200 one.

Yes, they are the most effective tools to prevent and correct visible signs of facial aging safely.

They are promising compounds in animals, but still experimental in humans. Metformin and rapamycin have real side effects and should not be taken without strict medical supervision.

If you are a healthy, well-nourished person, no. You will only get expensive hydration. If you have serious deficiencies, oral supplements are safer.

Yes, microneedling stimulates collagen production and improves skin texture, fine lines and acne scars. It requires several sessions and results are progressive.

Sculptra is a collagen stimulator (poly-L-lactic acid) that gradually and naturally restores lost volume. Results can last between 2 and 3 years.

Yes. Chronic stress raises cortisol, which degrades collagen and accelerates cellular aging. Quality social relationships are one of the most protective factors for longevity.