Anti aging articles
These lifestyle choices contribute
to aging skin
Many of the external causes of aging skin are
determined by the health and lifestyle decisions you make every
day. Making unhealthy choices can cause prematurely aging skin,
and this makes you look older, faster.
An important part of any anti-aging skin care program
is to know what you may be doing that is harming your skin and speeding
up your skin's aging process.
Here are 7 key factors that contribute to aging
skin, making you look older than your years:
Cigarette smoke: Whether you smoke,
or you spend time with a smoker, cigarette smoke is damaging and
aging-- your skin. Research has shown that exposure to cigarette
smoke significantly increases skin wrinkles and dryness. This is
partly due to the behavior of smoking, and also because cigarette
smoke depletes your body of Vitamin C, which is a key ingredient
for keeping skin plump and moist.
Some researchers believe that exposure to cigarette
smoke (whether you smoke or not) is as damaging to aging skin as
exposure to the suns ultraviolet rays.
Sun exposure: Sun exposure is
very aging to skin. Unprotected skin that is exposed to the sun
becomes more mottled in appearance. Freckles can turn into brown
sun spots, the skin takes on a dry, leathery appearance, and wrinkles
and sagging increase. The risk of skin cancer is significantly increased
by sun exposure.
The good news is that sun damage is avoidable,
and if you start now, you can improve the condition of sun damaged
skin.
- See your health care provider to assess the amount of sun damage
you may have, and to rule out possible skin cancers. He or she
may be able to prescribe medication that can help to reduce existing
sun damage.
- If you dont want to avoid the sun, make sure you use sunscreen
that protects against both UVA and UVB rays. Choose sunscreen
with SPF of 15 or higher, and use it all year-round, even on cloudy
days. Clouds do not protect you from ultraviolet ray exposure.
Lack of exercise: Living a sedentary
life contributes to aging skin, because exercise helps tone muscles
and gets blood flowing. Exercise should be an important part of
every anti-aging skin care program.
In addition to the physical benefits of exercise,
the benefits of a regular exercise program will show on your face.
Having a bright smile and lots of energy will help you look younger,
at any age.
Exposure to cold weather: Cold
winds and low temperatures contribute to aging skin by making skin
dry, so if you venture out in the cold make sure to use a good moisturizer.
Its important to use moisturizer indoors too,
as heated rooms can be very drying to skin. Consider using a humidifier
to help keep your skin more comfortable and reduce the aging skin
effects of heated rooms.
Alcohol use: Alcohol contributes
to aging skin by dilating small blood vessels in the skin and increasing
blood flow near the skin's surface. Over time, these blood vessels
can become permanently damaged, creating a flushed appearance and
broken vessels on the skins surface.
Stress: Maybe youve heard this
expression: Dont frown, your face could stay that way. Stress
and worry cause frowning, and over time the muscles in the face
actually conform to that movement.
To help reduce aging skin due to stress, be aware
of your stress level and try to vary your facial expressions during
the day. A good anti-aging skin care program should include meditation,
yoga, gentle exercise or other relaxation techniques. Keeping stress
in check -- and frown lines and aging skin wrinkles to a minimum
-- will help you look and feel younger.
Lack of sleep: Too little sleep
makes you look and feel tired. One of the first places lack up sleep
shows up is on the face, with dark circles and bags under the eyes,
and sagging skin.
Research has shown that most adults function best
with 8-9 hours of sleep each night. Reduce caffeine during the day
(with none in the evening), avoid eating at least 2 hours before
bedtime, and maintain a sleep routine that includes going to bed
at the same time each night.
If you are having trouble sleeping, for any reason,
its important to see your health care provider.
While some signs of aging are inevitable, theres
a lot you can do to look your best at any age. Taking good care
of yourself is the most important step in your anti-aging skin care
program.
About the author:
Sharon O'Brien, MA, LMHC, is a licensed psychotherapist
and freelance writer specializing in the issues faced by people
going through life transitions--as so many older adults are.
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