You may not be the biggest fan of the moles that scatter your back, but here’s a reason to embrace them: People who have a higher mole count tend to age slower than those who have fewer moles (think: 100 moles compared to 25), says research published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention.
The study observed more than 900 sets of twins—comparing the differences between their DNA—and found that those who had a higher mole count were less vulnerable to the effects of skin aging (the difference equated to about 6 to 7 years of aging).
Yet it’s not the actual mole that’s making these subjects looks younger—it’s just a marker of what’s going on underneath the skin, explains Dr. Veronique Bataille, Ph.D., lead researcher and consultant dermatologist at Hemel Hempstead General Hospital.
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What the researchers were really examining were the subjects’ telomeres—the bundles of DNA that cap the ends of chromosomes.
People with more moles had longer telomeres than their sibling who had fewer moles, explains Bataille. “But what’s so interesting about that is, typically telomeres decrease in size as you get older.”
Therefore these long telomeres actually have a protective effect on the skin, says Bataille. They assist in faster cell turnover—which not only results in younger, healthier skin, but improves the collagen in the skin and makes the fiber blast in their dermis more active.
What can you do? While you can’t magically make your telomeres longer (although scientists are working on it), you can try to prevent them from shortening.
When scientists looked at the DNA of active individuals, they found that those who frequently exercise had longer telomeres than individuals who lead sedentary lifestyles. In fact, the research—published in the Archives of Internal Medicine—indicated that they were biologically 10 years younger than those who favored the couch over the gym.
So how can you get the same results? The researchers found that individuals who do cardio for at least 45 minutes a day, 5 days a week—and maintain the habit for more than 5 years—will be best off.
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I’m the social media editor for Cosmopolitan.com, as well as a self-proclaimed expert on Internet cats (tough job, but hey, someone has to do it). I'm from the Midwest and a proud Indiana University alumna. My obsessions — in no particular order — include running, writing, coffee, red lipstick, and margaritas.
