During my twenties, while living in sunny Florida, I watched a news story about ‘Super Agers.’ These men and women in their 80s and beyond were defying time with active lifestyles and balanced diets. Aside from their physical vitality, I noticed the interviewees also looked much younger than their age. Realizing their biohacking began well before the Botox boom, I was ready with pen and paper when they shared their secrets to looking and feeling young until 100.
- Minimize Stressors
- Daily Physical Activity
- Balanced Plant-Forward Diet
- No Smoking & Minimal Alcohol
- Sun Protection, Always
As many millennial women might confess, tanning beds were too popular in our teens, and dial-up internet didn’t offer much info about skincare. These Super Agers were my pre-social media influencers. Not only did they use sunscreen, but they also wore hats, sunglasses, bandanas, and sun shirts while enjoying their favorite outdoor activities. Now in my late 30s, I can say this has been my regimen for over a decade. Still, damage had been done, so I sought the advice of Triple Board Certified Dermatologist, Missy Clifton, Founder of Bentonville’s Premier Dermatology and Aesthetics. I asked Dr. Clifton to check some concerning spots and offer recommendations for treating my sun damage.
SKIN CARE
For context, I am a genetic freckle factory who also tans easily, which Dr. Clifton says is often the most risky combination, because those who tan don’t typically believe they're at risk of skin cancer. I also spend time outdoors daily, whether it’s to ride mountain bikes, hike, paddleboard, or read a book. Knowing these details, Dr. Clifton recommended annual scans to check my spots. She also suggested a skincare regimen with a quality cleanser and moisturizer, a daily serum catered to your skin type [me: Revision C+ Correcting Complex], and a reparative serum in the evening [me: Revision Retinol Complete]. For sunscreen, Dr. Clifton says it’s important to choose a mineral sunscreen over a chemical sunscreen [me: Alastin HydraTint Pro Mineral Sunscreen].
DAMAGE REPAIR
Believe it or not, sun exposure is the most likely cause of more than just brown spots or cancerous lesions. Sun damage can cause premature wrinkles, loss of elasticity, uneven skin tone and texture, enlarged pores, broken capillaries, and more. Thankfully, my spots of concern were not cancerous, but my skin analysis with Aura 3D Imaging did reveal hyperpigmentation, loss of elasticity, redness, and fine lines. In addition to skin care, Dr. Clifton recommended a few optional treatments, including Jeuveau, a neurotoxin to soften and prevent fine lines, Radiesse, a collagen stimulator to restore volume, and BroadBand Light [BBL] to reduce the appearance of brown spots, redness, and uneven skin tone.
BROADBAND LIGHT [BBL]
In this article, I’ve shared some personal before and after images of my results within weeks of taking Dr. Clifton’s advice. While injectables do best with quarterly or annual upkeep – depending on the product and personal preferences – I noticed a dramatic change just two weeks after my first BBL treatment. For the best results with BBL, Dr. Clifton suggested starting with three treatments six weeks apart, followed by an annual treatment in the fall or winter for maintenance.
Premier’s BBL treatment is non-invasive with minimal discomfort, thanks to numbing cream. After my first treatment, my skin felt sensitive, like a mild sunburn, for 24 hours; brown spots flaked off like coffee grounds within a week, and my sun damage continued to fade in the weeks that followed. The makeup-free, before and after images you see, I feel, show more than a 50 percent reduction in sun damage, and I still have a few weeks left to see the full results of my third BBL treatment.
AGE YOUR WAY
It’s important to note that, apart from regular skin cancer screenings and sun protection, these products and treatments were catered to my skin type and goals, and are completely optional. We are entitled to age our own way, and if you prefer to earn your lines and collect ‘healthy’ spots like badges of honor, wear them with pride! Whatever you choose, Premier offers a treasure trove of top-tier products and treatments, both invasive and non-invasive, for preventing damage, promoting skin health, and slowing the skin aging process.
However you choose to care for your skin, you can be certain of a pleasant experience at Premier. Hands down, Dr. Clifton and her team – many of whom have been with the clinic for nearly a decade or longer – will feel like your best friends by the time you leave. Where doctors often struggle with bedside manner, Dr. Clifton is a joyful and comforting presence before, during, and after your visit. In early 2026, Premier Dermatology and Aesthetics will extend its services to a new location on the Walmart Campus.
For updates on their new location and a behind-the-scenes look at my experience throughout this process at Premier Dermatology and Aesthetics, follow @PremierDerm and @BentonvilleCityLifestyle on Instagram.
These 'Super Agers' were my pre-social media influencers. Not only did they use sunscreen, but they also wore hats, sunglasses, bandanas, and sun shirts while enjoying their favorite outdoor activities
The makeup-free, before and after images you see, I feel, show more than a 50 percent reduction in sun damage.