How to prevent premature aging
Crow's feet, sagging, dark spots... isn't getting old fun? Sarcasm aside, these things are a totally normal part of having a birthday.
As we age, the top layer of skin (the epidermis) begins to thin, it also begins to lose elasticity, and the skin can sag and begin to sag. Deep lines and wrinkles form.
In addition, the number of cells containing pigments decreases. Translation: age spots appear.
You expect to see these physical changes when you reach a certain age. But what happens if you start noticing these signs of aging much earlier than expected?
This is called premature aging and it is a real bummer.
Read on to learn more about the subject and how to prevent premature skin aging.
What causes premature aging?
When it comes to skin, there are two types of aging. The first is called intrinsic aging and is essentially the natural aging process.
When you experience it, you may notice that the skin on your face appears a little thinner and drier and fine lines begin to form. Genetics largely controls when this type of aging begins.
On the other hand, there is extrinsic aging, which occurs when the environment and lifestyle cause the skin to age prematurely.
Let's take a look at some of the lifestyle choices that can wreak havoc on previously youthful skin and lead to premature skin aging.
Too much sun
You may like being tan but your skin won't thank you. First of all, there's skin cancer to consider, but also, sun damage is actually one of the biggest culprits when it comes to causing wrinkles in men.
Research has found that exposure to UV rays can reduce the elastic properties of the skin, leading to more wrinkles.
You can discover more in: Sun damaged skin: How to prevent and repair
Smoking cigarettes
There are many reasons why smoking is bad, and premature aging is one of them.
Studies have found that tobacco use impairs collagen production and increases the production of tropoelastin and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs). And what about that? MMP causes an increase in the thickness of skin cells, which causes a wrinkled appearance.
Not drinking enough water
This is very simple. If you don't drink enough water, your skin is dehydrated. And the thirstier your skin is, the older it looks. Makes sense?
For example, alcohol is dehydrating, so if you drink too much, you can get dry skin and start looking older.
How to prevent premature aging
Now comes the important thing: How to take care of your skin and control premature aging.
With a few simple changes in your lifestyle you can delay aging and achieve healthier skin.
Here are some things you should try:
Always use SPF
Even on a cloudy day, exposure to the sun's harmful rays can penetrate your skin. So whenever you're outdoors, put on sunscreen.
give up cigarettes
If you're a smoker, quitting may seem difficult, but for your health (and for your skin), you should put your mind to it.
Drink a lot of water
Prevent your skin from becoming dehydrated by increasing your water intake on a daily basis. It is suggested that men drink around 3.7 liters a day to stay hydrated.
Downing a large glass with every meal and carrying a bottle of water throughout the day can help you achieve this goal.
Take care of the skin thoroughly
Fight premature aging by taking care of your skin.
How is it done? Using skin care products specifically formulated to delay extrinsic aging and reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles.
Moisturizing cream
As mentioned above, skin dehydration can cause wrinkles and worsen the appearance of your skin.
In addition to drinking plenty of water, using a high-quality moisturizer can help keep skin looking younger.
You should use it daily, ideally morning and night, for best results.
