Actor John Stamos may be 48 years old, but he still looks like he's in his 30s. (Reuters)
Some men seem to defy nature and cheat the hands of time. As everyone else goes geriatric with sagging skin and patchy hair, these guys seem to improve with age like a fine wine.
But they aren’t cyborgs or gatekeepers to a secret fountain of youth. And there is no need for genetic jealousy here. Sure, science plays a role in continuing to look great as the years pass, but fighting Father Time is also an art. These men are worth more than a passing glance because a quick study of their grooming habits may just teach you a thing or two about how to become an ageless man.
Rigorous exercise
Staying in shape is the key to maintaining health over the long term. Regular exercise of 30 minutes three times a week not only keeps weight off, it can also help prevent heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, and bone loss. But working out isn’t all physical -- it’s psychological, too.
Exercise relieves stress and promotes mental clarity by releasing increased levels of serotonin to the brain.
Perhaps that’s how Daniel Craig played a James Bond who was both smart and shredded. It may take a little more than a jog on the treadmill to get a buff body like Craig, and at age 41, he could give any 20-something a run for their money.
Let your hair thin in style
About 40 percent of men experience some hair loss by the age of 35. But that doesn’t mean that your looks -- and perceived virility -- are going down the drain with your shedding strands. Contrary to popular belief, longer locks are a shining spotlight on bald spots and make hair appear thinner. And a Trump-esque comb-over is like raising a white flag and throwing in the towel. But in this game, there is no admitting defeat. Splashing on hair-growth serum, popping a pill and cropping your coif into something more flattering are the ways to win.
Take a lesson from the receding hairline of 48-year-old Tom Ford. He has effortlessly fought temporal hair loss by keeping a relatively close cut with a slightly longer center that juts out like a tongue as though he’s quietly laughing in the face of male pattern baldness. It’s Ford’s classic style from which we could all learn.
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More From AskMen:
Get Better Skin in 5 Steps
Exfoliation: The Secret to Healthy Skin
Make a Great First Impression With Your Appearance
Top 10: Common Grooming Mistakes
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Up-to-date facial hairstyles
Facial hair is a male’s unique, divinely bestowed ability to dramatically change appearance in just a few days time. And, best of all, it doesn’t cost a penny. But as with any aspect of grooming, there is a right and a wrong way to grow facial hair. Sporting the occasional shadow at the end of the day is a great look on almost everyone, which is fortunate, because sometimes you just can’t help it.
A couple of extra days' growth may even be acceptable, depending upon just how fast you get grungy. But maintaining perpetual scruff takes some time and effort or you could risk looking like an exiled mountain man. And a beard isn’t the only way to go. A tactfully trimmed goatee can, in some cases, translate to trendy rather than trucker. Brad Pitt is the 45-year-old poster boy for ever-changing facial hair. Whether it’s five o’clock fuzz, a neatly clipped beard or a carefully carved goatee, he always keeps things fresh while still staying young (these days, even with a hint of salt and pepper).
Treat your skin to the products it needs
Great hair and dapper duds aren’t enough to hide problem skin. That’s why treating your face with the respect it deserves is one of the most important steps you can take to improve your overall appearance. And that means designing a routine to meet the basic needs of your skin.
While a fraction of guys will never experience a breakout or the redness of razor burn, the majority of men have to deal with at least occasional blemishes. A daily face wash, a twice-a-week exfoliating scrub and an everyday moisturizer with SPF should form the foundation of your regimen to keep dryness and irritation from shaving at bay. Then, use an under-eye cream for kicking out dark circles and fighting fine lines as well as a lip balm to keep the tenderest skin on your face smooth and supple.
Timeless Appeal
These men may be a cut above the rest, but they are case in point that age is just a number. And taking their lead is one more way to keep everyone guessing exactly what that number is.
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