For the past month or so, we have all been cursed with a terrible affliction (again): FaceApp. The Russian-developed tech swept the globe, dominated social feeds and eventually made the news (again). If you were lucky enough to have missed it, the app scans your mug and allows you to apply filters that either turn back time and make you look like a smooth baby, or fast forward, prematurely ageing you. Suddenly, we were able to see our past or future selves. It was nostalgic narcissism or masochism, depending on how you view it.

Mercilessly thrust in front of our faces by colleagues, friends and family, we have all had to endure a hundred versions of, “Wow! Look how attractive I was when I was young,” or, “God, I look quite sexy as a silver fox.”

Other than getting slowly annoying and scaring the pants of our parents, the app’s old-man filter also started conversations about ageing and, more specifically, smart ageing. More and more men are taking their cues from Silicon Valley sorts who have put biohacking at the forefront of their priorities. Now that we’ve seen what the future holds, the question has become: how can we live for ever, or, at least, preserve our youth?

We don’t have the answer to the first question, but we can definitely help with the second. Here is your guide to everlasting youth, filter free.

We all make the mistake of treating the skin on our face as if it’s all the same, but it isn’t. Our facial architecture is varied, so specific approaches for specific sections are required to effectively prevent premature ageing. Let’s start from the top. Thanks to thinner skin, our foreheads and temples fall prey to pigmentation, dehydration, fine lines and wrinkles, which makes it a tricky one to treat holistically.

A potent multitasking active is what you need for this area. Enter retinol. A derivative of vitamin A, retinol has the ability to increase cell turnover and deal with all the issues above. Try 111Skin Celestial Black Diamond Retinol Oil, where retinol is blended with a nourishing mix of omega-rich oils – ideal for keeping your skin supple, soft and strong.

The lower half of your face is a different story because it is subject to gravity and movement. Just talking or smiling can have an ageing effect, which is why so many image-conscious celebs always appear sour (or, at least, part of the reason). They are just saving on the Botox bill.

A rich serum packed with ingredients that can kick-start elastin and collagen production is the way to approach your (future) sagging jowls. Tighten, tone and lift with Sisley – Paris Sisleÿa L’Intégral Anti-Age Firming Concentrated Serum. It is famous for its Phyto-Complex, an active mix of seven natural plant extracts, which spurs an enzyme in your skin to restore lost density, skin tension and facial contours. The texture itself is so luxurious you will want to smother it all over, which definitely wouldn’t hurt.

Think your face takes a beating? It’s nothing compared with your eyes. We blink almost 30,000 times a day, which makes the fragile area around the eyes the most active on our body and subsequently the first to show signs of ageing. Whether it’s crow’s feet, crepey lids or heavy bags, your eyes really are the window to your soul – and your soul can look old, mate.

Opt for an eye treatment with vitamin C, an all-rounder that can help with dark circles, fine lines and sagging skin. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare C+ Collagen Brighten & Firm Eye Cream is an easy, efficacious option. The texture is not too heavy and the formula contains amino acids to boost collagen. It comes in a pocket-friendly tube if you need a midday top-up. Tap on the cream in morning and night using light, upward motions with your index finger.

Lips are often overlooked in the ageing process, but they are a clear indicator of youth. As we grow old, our collagen and hyaluronic acid production slows down and leaves all areas, particularly the lips, less full. We are all – not just smokers – susceptible to fine lines around the area. They can also be caused by pollution, puckering and even using straws. Yet another reason to ditch the plastic.

It is pretty difficult to increase collagen or hyaluronic acid in the area without the help of fillers, but a good lip treatment will go a long way in terms of repairing and replenishing sun damage or dehydration. The Lip Balm by La Mer is a staple in every grooming editor’s washbag. It takes the brand’s Miracle Broth formula and uses it to infuse the area with moisture and protection in a cooling, calming texture. It’s expensive, but heavenly.

If you want to gauge someone’s age, look at their neck. This is a common beauty maxim that, while normally applied to women, is equally relevant to men. We treat our faces with all kinds of lotions and potions, but rarely do we take it down to the neck. Why? It gets kissed, photographed and, unless it is winter, remains fairly exposed.

The skin on your neck is thinner than the skin on your face and the muscles and skin tissue are much weaker. That means moisture loss is prevalent because weaker muscles will struggle to push water up to the surface. The result is sagging, loose skin – the dreaded turkey neck.

If the damage is done, or even just as a preventive measure, try Profhilo. Relatively new, Profhilo is an anti-ageing and hydrating “tweakment” that delivers a super-boost of hyaluronic acid deep into the skin, creating a firmer, plumper looking neck that addresses everything from fine lines to lax skin. A few micro injections and your neck will be back to its teenage self. Trust an expert, such as Dr David Jack, to administer it.

One of our most exposed – and expressive – body parts are our hands. We use them for pretty much every interaction, personal or digital. Our hands have never been more active in human history than now, scrolling, texting and typing non-stop. Hands are also exposed to more bacteria than any other part of the body and, like the neck, a heavy amount of sun damage.

A good rule of thumb (sorry) is to use the serum you use on your face on your fingers. Just rub in the excess by wringing your hands. If you’ve got sun spots, scars or they are just in generally bad nick, give PRP ago. It was made famous as the “vampire facial”, but it is not as scary as it sounds. Mr Kambiz Golchin is a real pioneer of the treatment, able to take your blood, withdraw the plasma from it and inject into your hands. It takes a week to see results, but your hands will feel and look like silk gloves.

You’ve heard it before, you’ll hear it now and you will definitely hear it again: beauty begins on the inside. What we eat, drink and even feel, to some extent, affects our ageing process. It is so easy to supplement whatever you are ingesting with additional actives. Dr. Barbara Sturm Skin Food Supplement is dubbed “the fountain of youth”, thanks to its blend of potent anti-ageing ingredients.

Anything for that youth filter, right?