I'll write it down anyway: I'm 22 years old. I don't worry about crow's feet, sagging skin, spots, wrinkles, fine lines, or any of the other signs of aging. (I do have one prominent wrinkle on my forehead, but that's due to my expressive eyebrows, which raise every time I hear something shocking. Other than that, I feel I have a few more years before I start noticing signs of aging. I would like to think that one day I will be able to age gracefully (opens in new tab) without the aid of surgery or injections. This is not due to criticism of such surgery (that should be a personal choice), but because I have seen "Botched" too many times and now live in fear.

Imagine my surprise when, after scrolling through anti-aging products for the past several years, I learned that I should actually use anti-aging products on my skin. In fact, I am already late to the anti-aging game. Dr. Loretta Schiraldo (opens in new tab) is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of her own skin care line. After I posed my most pressing questions to Dr. Loretta about aging in your 20s, she generously shared tips that I tell all my friends about.

If you've ever looked in the mirror and seen nothing but baby soft, taut skin, this question may have crossed your mind. For the past few generations, anti-aging has primarily targeted women over the age of 30. But for Millennials and Generation Z, it seems that the presence of gorgeous celebrities who look like they never age, in addition to young women who do chemical peels, has brought anti-aging to a younger audience.

Furthermore, Dr. Loretta believes that we are starting to age faster than before. Says Dr. Loretta, "Lines and other signs of aging that previously didn't surface until one's thirties are now more prevalent in women in their twenties." There's a reason for that: external factors that are aging us faster and at a younger age, such as pollution, visible light, and even irritation from the wide variety of products we "try and use." Yikes.

So if we accept that our bad behavior is starting to age us faster, there are products and techniques we can use to take care of our skin in a healthy and age appropriate way. Says Dr. Loretta, "I love to use protective products, like using antioxidants daily and SPFs that include HEV blue light protection." It also helps to do weekly or monthly at-home peels like glycolic or physical peels (opens in new tab) or start using microdermabrasion and micro needling tools."

If you are thinking of running out to be the first 20-year-old to get a facelift, here is an important distinction: anti-aging in your 20s is different than in your 60s.

"Anti-aging in your 20s is not the same as anti-aging in your 60s. But all anti-aging efforts and products should focus on addressing damage from UV and visible light, pollution, climate change, and irritants." Instead of jumping into intense procedures that may not be appropriate for younger skin, start by protecting your skin so that you won't need dramatic procedures when you get older.

If you're still not convinced that your young skin needs anti-aging intervention, here's one last piece of advice: "I see a big problem with the goal of looking younger through anti-aging. I think there's a big problem with the goal of anti-aging to make you look younger, because it's not just a matter of looking younger, it's a matter of looking better.

While we may not be able to see visible signs of aging, it is possible that there is cellular damage caused by the environment. Dr. Loretta says, "I think the best goal is to age confidently with healthy skin that is even in tone, with minimal redness, and without deep wrinkles." Well, that sounds like something worth looking into.