As we age, so does our skin. We lose collagen, a protein found in connective tissue throughout our body that helps to prevent skin from stretching out. You may notice your skin start to loosen and sag around your eyes, or a loss of volume in your cheeks, giving your face a leaner look as opposed to the suppleness you once had. Even though you cannot defy gravity or the aging process, there are steps you can take to control and minimize the appearance of fine lines and dry skin.
Tip #1: Get Shady
Large sunglass lenses protect the delicate skin around your eyes and forehead from harsh, cancer-causing ultraviolet (UV) rays. Wearing your shades also prevents you from squinting or furrowing your brow, which are habits that cause deep lines and wrinkles to form around these sensitive areas. Before you step outside, make sure you have sunglasses on hand to keep your eyes bright and ward off those crows feet.
Tip #2: Stop Detoxing
The new detox fad is only going to lead to a saggy, loose complexion. This is because as we age, our skin cant bounce back as easily after stretching slightly to accommodate pounds gained and lost. So the next time you want to try that new juice cleanse, think of your skin and keep the juicer or blender in your kitchen cabinet. However, eating a balanced diet is important for good skin. Foods with omega-3 fatty acids contain good fats that improve skin elasticity, collagen production and hydration. Snack on some nuts or seeds to reap these types of benefits.
Tip #3: Apply Sunscreen Liberally
Sunblock is your weapon against unsightly brown age spots and other signs of progressive skin aging. UV- ray exposure can cause damage that makes your skin sag and feel rough to the touch. Make sure you use this anti-aging secret daily to improve the look of your skin and minimize the effects of skin aging.
Tip #4: Keep Hands Off Your Skin
Whenever a pesky pimple, clogged pore or ingrown hair pops up, keep your hands away from your face. The instinctive reaction to pick at, scrape, scrub or peel your skin can cause post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (a discoloring of the skin that develops after an inflammatory wound). As a result, your skin may become darker in color than the surrounding skin. Gently pat your skin dry with a washcloth or towel after washing your face with a light cleanser. Rigorous towel drying and heavy-duty cleansers cause irritation and redness in your face that may make your skin look older.
Tip #5: Stay Clear of Smoke
We all know smoking is bad for your overall health, but its seriously toxic to your skin and can lead to chronic skin conditions or cancer. Cigarette chemicals seep into your bloodstream and clog your pores, giving your skin a sallow and discolored appearance. Constant puffing on a cigarette causes premature aging and wrinkles around the eyes and mouth. Smoke also dries out the skin, causing the loss of elasticity and moisture that gives your skin that healthy glow.
Add these skin care secrets to your daily routine to slow skin aging and prevent visible changes. To learn more about skin basics, contact us today.
