Causes of Aging Skin

Wrinkles.  Sooner or later we all get them.  The extent to which we get them is caused by two major factors; the genes we inherit from our parents, and environmental factors — caused by what we do to ourselves.

Aging caused by the genes we inherit is known as intrinsic or internal aging and is a continuous process that starts almost as soon as we reach the peak of adult-hood.  In our mid to late twenties our bodies start slowing the production of collagen and elastin.  Our dead skin cells don’t slough off quite as readily and the production of new skin cells is not quite as efficient. Even though this process begins relatively early, we don’t see the effect until decades later. Which is why it is so important to establish a good skin care regimen early in life.

Some of the signs we begin to see are:

• Thin, transparent skin
• Fine wrinkles
• Loss of underlying fat which contribute to the hollow look and dark circles under the eyes
• Dry, itchy skin
• Graying hair
• Sagging skin

Our genetic make-up determines how rapidly this normal aging process proceeds.   Some of us get gray hair in our late twenties and thirties, others don’t see it until late forties or fifties.

Aging caused by environmental factors is called extrinsic or external aging. The number one cause of external aging is the harmful exposure to the sun. Many of us in over forty grew up trying to get tan.  We’d be in the sun for hours with little protection and our skin has begun to show the ravages of no SPF.

Other external factors are our habitual facial expressions including squinting, frowning, laughing and smiling. Additionally, the position in which we sleep has an affect on how and where wrinkles form on our faces and chests. Other important factors in external aging is smoking, gravity and diet.

TIPS TO WARD OFF PREMATURE SKIN AGING:

Protect Yourself from the Sun.

• Stay away from any form of tanning unless it comes in a bottle.
• Stay out of the sun during the time of day when the sun is the strongest (10:00 AM to 3:00 PM)
• Wear protective clothing such as wide brimmed hats, long sleeved shirts and long pants.
• Always apply ample sun screen — use an SPF of at least 30 applied at least 20 minutes before exposure and applied liberally and often throughout the day.

Check your face for wrinkles caused by habitual facial expressions

• Lines made from happy expressions like laughing and smiling are most often pleasant and should be left alone.
• Lines made from frowning, scowling, or squinting can make one look angry and ill-tempered.  If you have lines like those, you may want to consider Botox. These injections have been approved by the FDA and will make even the deepest wrinkles disappear. You will not only look younger almost instantly, your face will take on a more pleasant countenance.

Check your face by wrinkles caused by how you sleep.

• Sleeping on your side or stomach causes your face to be scrunched against the pillow all night and can cause unseemly wrinkles.
• Learning to sleep on your back can reduce the effect of that all-night-face-scrunching.
• Pillow cases made of satin can also reduce the fine lines.

If you smoke – stop!

• You know the drill here — its unhealthy inside and makes you look old.  Enough said.

Simple tips to eating and drinking foods that help create healthier skin.

• Eat lots of fruits and vegetables — they are high in anti-oxidants which fight off free radicals in your system and can enhance cell function.
• Drink lots of water — your body and skin crave moisture — especially during the winter months, and will look more youthful and supple with more moisture.  You should drink 1/2 ounce of water for every pound of body weight.  So if you weigh 140, you should drink 70 ounces of water each day.  Caffeinated drinks do not count — and in fact for every caffeinated drink you have you should drink and extra 8 ounces of water.
• Take a resveratrol supplement to enhance the anti-oxidant properties that help reverse the aging process.

Naturally, you should always have a regular skin care regimen that includes gentle cleansing, followed by a gentle exfoliant, followed by the gentle application of a kickbutt moisturizer!

Aging is an inevitable part of life. Most of us appreciate the wisdom we gain in the process, but we also see some downsides.

For many of us, we begin to notice face wrinkles and we’re no longer blessed with the smooth skin of our youth.  Regardless of how old you are now, if you start practicing these tips you are sure to see an improvement toward having your skin younger looking and more radiant.

Protect Your Skin From the Sun. Experts agree that exposure to the sun is one of the most damaging things you can do to your skin. In fact, many believe that 80% of the skin’s aging is caused by extended exposure. Whether or not you intend to be in the sun, it is a good idea to always use sunscreen – it is easy to get in anti-aging lotions and you can use it every day.  Additionally, you should get a good pair of UVA protecting sun glasses. These will reduce the glare and keep you from squinting which will result in fewer face wrinkles.

Don’t Smoke. Not only is smoking dangerous for so many of the body’s organs, it is one of the quickest way to increase facial wrinkles – especially around the eyes and mouth. Smoking prematurely ages the skin and damages blood vessels.  It leaches minerals from the body and leaves the skin dehydrated and prone to the formation of unsightly wrinkles.

Use Good Quality Makeup. Carefully select a good make-up that complements your skin type.  Be sure to use a cleanser that is right for your skin to remove it each evening. The new mineral make-ups are usually a good choice.

Get Plenty of Rest. Sleeping helps your body rejuvenate and renew. A healthy, rested body is far more capable of the regeneration than one that is stressed and tired.  You are far more likely to have smooth skin if you get plenty of sleep each night.

Get in the Habit of Daily Skin Care. Use good quality cleansers, creams – including specialized eye wrinkle cream, and good moisturizing lotion for the entire body. Cleansing, exfoliating and moisturizing are key ingredients to a daily and regime and will result in youthful, smooth skin.

Drink Water. There is really no better hydration than internal hydration that comes from drinking water. Try for 62 ounces each day to combat face wrinkles and anti-aging. You can add delicious, energizing flavors to your water and herbal tea counts.  Drinks that contain caffeine should be avoided.

Eat a Health Diet. Foods that are nutrient rich are great for the anti-aging properties.  Fresh fruits and vegetables, meats that are low in fat like chicken, lots of fish for the Omega3’s and some supplements also help fight anti-aging. Anti-oxideants help to reduce the free radicals that foster the aging process.

Learn to Relax. We live in stressful times and learning to relax will go a long way to reduce the effects of aging. Exercise, yoga, meditation, listening to music are all ways to help you relax and rid yourself from the stressors of the day.

Smooth Skin Tips Wrap-Up

You may be overwhelmed by all of the tips in this article, but it is important to fit as many of them as you can into you daily routine to better fight the aging process.  Not only will these tips make you look younger and give you glowing smooth skin, they will make you healthier overall.