Aging of the skin is an ongoing process which usually begins at early thirties. It is usually associated with increased wrinkling, laxity and sagging of the skin. There are two factors that contribute to aging of the skin; intrinsic aging and extrinsic aging. Intrinsic skin aging is largely genetically determined and can’t be controlled. While extrinsic aging may relate to environmental factors and can be controlled, such as exposure to sunlight, smoking, stress, inadequate nutrition and improper hygiene.
It is estimated that more than 80% of facial aging is due to sun exposure. Other factors like smoking, stress and other lifestyle account for 20% of facial aging. So, avoiding these factors may help delay your aging process or avoid premature skin aging. Here, we’ll discuss some of these factors that contribute to premature skin aging and few tips that can help maintain your skin appearance.
1. Excessive Sun Exposure: The sun is the main culprit for around 80% of the premature skin aging. Excessive sun exposure may result in loss of elasticity, increase dryness and roughness, deep wrinkling and irregular pigmentations. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun breaks down collagen and elastic fibre network, thus loosing the tensile and elastic properties of the skin resulting in wrinkle formation. Although application of broad spectrum sunscreen won’t reverse existing damage to your skin, it will sure help prevent further damage and wrinkling and also protect against skin cancer. Always apply sunscreen to protect from the harmful radiation of the sun. For normal skin you can use sunscreen with SPF15 and for more sensitive skin sunscreen with SPF30 can be used as necessary.
2. Smoking: Epidemiological studies suggest that heavy smoking causes premature skin aging. Several toxic components in tobacco are absorbed during smoking that causes the destruction of connective tissue. Smoking also increase collagenase enzyme which result in degradation of collagen. Smoking is sure a curse to your skin. Smoking further constricts your blood vessels, thus, decreasing blood supply to the skin, as a result, depriving skin of the oxygen it needs. So it is obvious that smoking leads to accelerated skin aging. Here are some more effects of cigarette smoking on your skin.
3. Too Much Alcohol: As alcoholic beverages will dehydrate your body, over indulgence may lead to drier and older looking skin. So, if you are looking for beautiful skin while maintaining your overall health, avoid or at-least limit your alcohol intake.
4. Too Little Sleep: Lack of sleep is another factor that can lead to dull complexion and dark circles and puffiness under your eyes. Take enough sleep everyday, most experts suggest 8 hours sleep each night. If you are having difficulty in sleeping, avoid caffeine in the evening.
5. Too Much Stress: Stress is another factor that can accelerate normal aging process. Try to avoid stress as much as possible. Learn some relaxation technique, or do something you feel happy. Get yourself a face or body massage. It will help you relax and improve your blood circulation and delivery of oxygen and nutrients while eliminating the toxin out of your body. If you follow these tips you can prevent premature skin aging.
There are plenty of anti aging products and methods which are proven to be working in excellent manner. But it is really essential that you should know about your skin texture.
I spend almost 8+ hrs in the sleep,but still feel i have too little sleep because i am unable to sleep even by 2:am. I happen to take a lot of tea by close 9:Pm gave up on it, But now ur advice “avoid caffeine in the evening. ” makes more sense for my sleep deprivation.Let me give it a try.
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Hii Dr. Saiyan,
Can you please suggest whether the sunscreen lotion and anti ageing products do work as it is claimed by the manufacturers or do they take longer time than what we see in TV and newspaper advertisements of the products. Also, if possible can you help in choosing the right brand or product. Thanks.
The important thing to be noted is that we are solely responsible for the Premature Skin Aging. Many of the bad factors that we do like smoking & drinking. For a better face look, we have to be less influential from the depression factors.
There are plenty of anti aging products and methods which are proven to be working in excellent manner. But it is really essential that you should know about your skin texture.
I read that consuming a large amount of anti-oxidants helps prevent premature skin aging on the other hand are not a lot of foods with anti-oxidants also high in sugar (e . g . fruits) and does not sugar also make your skin to age quicker?
I do those habbits sometimes. My skin isn’t look good.
I guess living a healthy lifestyle such as avoiding smoking, maintaining a healthy diet, or sleeping 8 hours a day is not enough. I thought of these factors as the main ways of keeping the face wrinkle free. Time for me to buy some facial sunblock lotion.
Dr. saiyan.. what should we eat to keep our skin healthy
That’s very true. Too much exposure to sun can lead to premature aging. Wear sunscreen, its long term benefits are proven by scientist. Let me just ask, what’s the best SPF product? Currently I’m using Diana Stalder Sunblock Cream/Gel. I like it because unlike ordinary sunscreens, its formula combines a patented sun protection complex, which maintains protection over time against the sun’s harmful rays, with natural soy proteins and antioxidants to help shield your skin from environmental damage.