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Anti-Aging Skin Care

Thursday, 16 October 2008 13:18

Let’s face it – laugh lines and wrinkles may look gorgeous on George Clooney but on the average mortal it just says one thing – old! Not that there is anything wrong with being old - we spend the first 20 years of our lives trying to look older - to get a later bedtime/curfew, to get into that cool nightclub that just opened, to get a driver’s license - the list goes on. And then sometime in our twenties we wake up one morning and notice the face in the mirror has changed slightly and all we want is to look younger or at the very least not have skin that makes us look older than our years.

So is there no way to turn back the clock and recapture the glow of youthful skin without rushing to the Botox needle or raiding the drugstore of the plethora of miracle cures available? In this age of airbrushed perfection and hyper consumerism, it’s difficult to imagine that simple lifestyle changes may be enough to have the same “miraculous effect” on aging skin.

1. Avoid the Sun.

Repeated sun exposure over the years is the primary cause of premature aging of skin. Referred to as “photoaging” by dermatologists, it can cause freckles and age spots, increase wrinkles, make skin loose and saggy, give it a rough, leathery appearance as well as a blotchy complexion. Oh, and let’s not forget skin cancer. Thankfully the condition of sun-damaged skin can be improved since the damage caused by the sun is avoidable. Easy steps to protect yourself from its harmful effects include:;

a. Using a sunscreen all year round – yes even on cloudy days and in winter (just because you can’t see the sun doesn’t mean there aren’t UV rays zapping the youth out of your skin!). Choose a sunscreen of SPF 15 or above and check that it protects from both UVA and UVB rays.

b. The peak hours of the sun are between 10am to 4pm so whenever possible avoid being outdoors during this time.

c. If you do go out in the sun wear a wide-brimmed hat, longer sleeves and a pair or sunglasses.

d. Avoid tanning beds, sunlamps and tanning salons. A tan is produced when skin cells, damaged by UV radiation, produce more pigmentation (called melanin). It is in fact a sign of sun damage yet it doesn’t stop millions of Americans from trying to maintain a year-long artificial tan. This can in fact be more dangerous since tanning beds predominately emit deeper penetrating UVA rays compared to natural sun exposure which contains a mix of UVA and UVB rays. If you really are yearning for that bronze glow, try safer alternatives such as sunless tanning lotions or sprays.

2. Quit Smoking

Besides your lungs, your skin too will benefit from kicking the habit. The medical lexicon added the phrase “smoker’s face” in 1985 after Dr Douglas Model of Eastbourne, England surveyed 116 patients and correctly identified about 50% of current smokers only by their facial features. You guessed it – prematurely aged skin. This condition is characterized by deep wrinkles around the mouth and eyes, a dull grey complexion and gaunt features. In fact smoking is second only to sun damage when it comes to aging skin. So how do a couple of smokes a day wreak such havoc over the years? Cigarette smoke restricts blood flow thereby reducing oxygen and nutrient supply to the skin. It is also dehydrating and prevents the skin from protecting itself by interfering with vitamin C absorption. In other words, if you don’t quit not only will smoking kill you it will eventually make you look like the grim reaper himself.

3. Eat healthy

Pass on the double cheeseburger with fries and soda and try a healthier alternative instead. A balanced diet is good for your health and a by-product of a healthy body is healthy skin. Fruits and vegetables especially, are rich in a wide variety of antioxidants and help protect your skin from damage caused by free radicals. Besides a healthy diet it is important to drink plenty of water. Now while the amount of water recommended is subject to much controversy, extra glasses of water can’t possibly hurt you since water helps flush out toxins and keep you hydrated. Try to get a minimum of least 5- 8 glasses a day and more on strenuous or hot days. If you feel thirsty then you know you aren’t getting enough. Avoid sodas and caffeine when you do get thirsty as they act as diuretics and are in fact dehydrating.

4. Stop Frowning

Remember when you were a kid and your mom told you to quit making faces or your face would stay like that? Well, she wasn’t too far from the truth. As skin ages it loses its elasticity and lines formed on our faces by facial expressions become permanently etched on our skin. For example - puckering up to smoke a cigarette or constantly frowning. We can decide to stop smoking but how do we stop involuntarily frowning? The answer lies in reducing stress. Try relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation, as well as gentle exercise. Be aware of your stress levels and your facial expressions through the day. If you find yourself squinting when you read, get your eyes checked. If you frown as you drive to work, put on some relaxing music to de-stress. Take time out to pamper yourself and do things you enjoy. Smile more – if you really must have lines etched into your 80 year old face let them be laugh lines. It’ll show you’ve aged gracefully.

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Anti-Aging Skin Care

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Anti-Aging Skin Care

Add your comment

Speak to our Facial Experts for Free Call 888-317-9186

Call 888-317-9186

Speak to our Facial Experts for Free
Call 888-317-9186