Look Old Faster

“Lysosomes are cellular organelles that contain acid hydrolase enzymes that break down waste materials and cellular debris. They can be described as the stomach of the cell...Lysosomes are the cell's waste disposal system...” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lysosome

“Mitosis is the most dramatic event in a cell's life. Cellular structures that have always been there suddenly disintegrate, new structures are constructed, and it all culminates in the cell splitting in half.” http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/insidethecell/chapter4.html#6

Basically, when a cell dies, lysosomes eat up the dead cell. Another cell divides, and takes the place of the dead cell. Cells, however, only divide a finite number of times before they 'retire'.

“It turns out that each cell has 92 internal clocks—one at each end of its 46 chromosomes. Before a cell divides, it copies its chromosomes so that each daughter cell will get a complete set. But because of how the copying is done, the very ends of our long, slender chromosomes don't get copied. It's as if a photocopier cut off the first and last lines of each page.

As a result, our chromosomes shorten with each cell division. Fortunately, the regions at the ends of our chromosomes—called telomeres—spell out the genetic equivalent of gibberish, so no harm comes from leaving parts of them behind. But once a cell's telomeres shrink to a critical minimum size, the cell takes notice and stops dividing.” http://publications.nigms.nih.gov/insidethecell/chapter5.html#9

Aging occurs as cells 'retire'.

What about a chemical peel? “In this treatment, a chemical solution is applied to the skin, which makes it 'blister' and eventually peel off. The new skin is usually smoother and less wrinkled than the old skin.” http://www.webmd.com/beauty/peels/cosmetic-procedures-chemical-peel-treatments
 
Duh! It's new skin. Of course it looks smoother and less wrinkled. But, it's new skin. You've just forced more cell division, speeding up the aging process for a temporary fix. Same thing with those 'age-reversing' retinols.

“...retinoids are still the gold standard in anti-aging for their ability to accelerate skin cell turnover...” http://www.prevention.com/best-retinols/

So, in striving to look younger, you are actually speeding up the aging process.

What about laying out in the sun to get that bronzed glowing tanned skin?

“Chronic exposure to the sun also causes premature aging, which over time can make the skin become thick, wrinkled, and leathery. Since it occurs gradually,...premature aging is often regarded as an unavoidable, normal part of growing older. However, up to 90 percent of the visible skin changes commonly attributed to aging are caused by the sun.” http://www.epa.gov/sunwise/uvandhealth.html

Smoking speeds up aging too.

“And smoking doesn't cause wrinkles only on your face. Smoking also is associated with increased wrinkling and skin damage on other parts of your body, including your inner arms. While the skin wrinkles may not be reversible, you can prevent worsening of wrinkling by quitting smoking now. 

How does smoking lead to wrinkles? The nicotine in cigarettes causes narrowing of the blood vessels in the outermost layers of your skin. This impairs blood flow to your skin. With less blood flow, your skin doesn't get as much oxygen and important nutrients, such as vitamin A. Many of the more than 4,000 chemicals in tobacco smoke also damage collagen and elastin, which are fibers that give your skin its strength and elasticity. As a result, skin begins to sag and wrinkle prematurely because of smoking. 

In addition, repeated exposure to the heat from burning cigarettes and the facial expressions you make when smoking — such as pursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out smoke — may contribute to wrinkles.” http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/smoking/AN00644

So grab those cigarettes and hit the beach. It's summertime. Don't forget to wash your face before you go to bed with that special 'anti-aging' crème. After all, you only live once, and you want to get old as fast as you can.