Posted on November 14, 2017 by Paul A. Boulos Not matter how many moisturizers we apply or how often we put on sunscreen, aging is inevitable. We can try every trick in the book to delay it, but eventually our skin will lose its elasticity and we’ll develop fine lines, wrinkles, and even age spots.
With so many factors leading to signs of aging, whether environmental, genetic, or diet related, it’s nearly impossible to focus on them all at once. Luckily, we can fight back and reduce most of these imperfections.
What Causes Aging
Aging can be caused by numerous factors. The skin’s purpose is to protect the body’s interior workings, so it’s certainly put through a lot on a daily basis. One of the most harmful environmental factors is the sun, as it’s unavoidable and most of the damage is done deep in the layers of the skin. Our skin takes longer to heal itself as we age, and the damage will eventually appear as wrinkles and dark spots.
Smoking is another factor that causes aging, and affects the skin both internally for those who smoke and externally for those who are around smokers too often. It’s said that smokers have significantly less vitamin C in their blood streams, which is essential for collagen production. Smoking causes a reduction in collagen production, so the skin will lose its elasticity long before it should. Some smokers even show signs of fine lines and wrinkles 15 years before they should. Smoking also decreases the oxygen level in your blood, another cause of premature aging. Specifically, this is what causes the wrinkles around a smoker’s mouth—these are considered a telltale sign that someone smokes cigarettes.
Another huge factor that can lead to premature aging is your diet. Typically those who don’t eat enough protein and eat too many simple carbs will begin aging too soon. Simple carbohydrates are foods that are broken down quickly by the body to produce energy and are found in most fruits and dairy products, but are also found in candy, syrups, soda, juice, and other products that contain processed and refined sugar. This kind of diet will cause the skin to become rigid and lose its elasticity long before it should. A diet low in fruits and vegetables is also dangerous for the skin, as they carry antioxidants that are necessary for our bodies to fight off those environmental aging factors.
Other major factors that cause premature aging are stress, lack of sleep, air pollution, alcohol, and even genetics. Some simply hit the genetics lottery and seem to never age, while others are practically born looking like they are in their mid-thirties.
How to Slow the Aging Process
There are many tricks that people claim prevent aging. While moisturizing and applying sunscreen regularly are still important, there is more that can be done. Exercise and a well-balanced diet are a great way to battle aging from the inside, as they can improve circulation and collagen production.
Skin irritants, especially products that cause burning or stinging, should be avoided. Whether it’s a toner or face wash, if it’s causing pain and irritation to your skin then the product is too harsh and you should discontinue use. It’s also important not to scrub the skin when you’re washing your face or body in the shower, as this ongoing irritation will cause the skin to age. Cleansing gently can easily remove makeup, dirt, and pollutants without causing this kind of irritation.
How to Reverse Signs of Aging
Luckily for those who haven’t been practicing any techniques to prevent wrinkles, there are ways to reverse them and most other signs of aging. Laser skin rejuvenationis the best noninvasive procedure that will not only eliminate fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots, but will also increase collagen production so that your skin will gain back any lost elasticity. This treatment works by targeting the damaged skin cells that make up your skin’s imperfections, creating microscopic wounds that allow the skin to naturally replace these skin cells with new, healthy ones. Not only are these treatments quick and easy to squeeze into your busy schedule, but they can be performed anywhere on the body. So, if you’re experiencing a decrease in elasticity on your neck or chest, then laser skin resurfacing can still get the job done.
Compared to other skin treatments that claim to reduce signs of aging, laser skin rejuvenation is the only noninvasive procedure that can reach deep into skin layers to treat damage. Aging may be inevitable for all of us, but that doesn’t mean it has to happen now. A combination of preventative practices as well as treatment of current issues are the best ways to win the battle against aging.
