While you may have developed expert skills for applying makeup to your aging face, there may still be aspects of your appearance that seem to defy coverup. And for some of us, that’s just fine. But for others, there’s no getting around the curiosity that, with a few nips and tucks, we might be able to look refreshed and rejuvenated, if not 10 years younger. If this is how you feel, you’re not alone. Cosmetic procedures are on the rise– and if your inclination is to go down that path, make sure to educate yourself about all the essentials. So prior to putting yourself under the scalpel, hit the pause button and read here and here.

And before you head to the dermatologist or plastic surgeon, you may want to make an appointment with the dentist. It turns out your aging tooth structure can wreak havoc with your facial appearance- and by employing some strategic dental appliances or interventions, you may wind up with the facial improvements you desire and eliminate the need for the knife. So open wide and read here.

Finally, if you wonder why the photos you see of gorgeous black men and women never seem to betray their actual ages, the puzzle has now been solved. It turns out, as reported in a new study published in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery, the facial bones in black people have a higher mineral density resulting in fewer alterations to their faces as they age. The underlying bone structure of the face is critically important to the outward changes that appear on the face as you get older. With higher mineral density in the facial bones, there is less bone loss and thus fewer facial changes. So if you’re black and beautiful, count your blessings and read more here.