People hope, but they cannot do much about aging. We can change the color of our hair, lose or gain weight, improve our dressing style, but we cannot change the natural aging process. With time, more and more visible lines show up on our skin to tell us that our body is losing some of its youthful fullness. In time, our skin becomes drier and thinner, and we cannot do too much about it because our genes control when the changes occur.
But our genes and age aren’t the only ones that affect our skin. Our lifestyle choices and the environment lead to premature skin aging. And this we can prevent. Doctors have a term for this process, extrinsic aging.
Do you want to age gracefully or do you want to give up on extrinsic aging?
Signs of premature skin aging
How can you tell if extrinsic aging is already damaging your skin?
- Lately, many fine lines and deep wrinkles formed over your face
- You can easily see the lines, your skin is rougher, and your dead skin cells build up fast
- Your skin is no longer vibrant and full of life
- Clogged pores, breakouts and congestion
- You have a lackluster complexion
- Sagging skin
- Sensitive skin
- Hyperpigmentation and age spots
Causes of extrinsic aging
Excessive sun exposure
Soaking in the sun is great, but excessive sun exposure can damage your skin and lead to fine lines and wrinkles on your skin, at any age. Everyone loves a little tan, but make sure it doesn’t burn your skin.
Sleeping position
Even if it sounds surprising, your sleeping position can impact the quality of your skin. Some sleeping postures trigger skin fatigue. You may feel comfortable to sleep in the fetus position, but it damages your appearance. When you support your entire head weight on one cheek, the pressure can cause lines and wrinkles.
Excessive drinking and smoking
Research shows that smoking can trigger facial wrinkles. Excessive alcohol consumption reduces blood flow and shrinks blood vessels. Combining smoking with drinking alcohol can cause the early appearance of wrinkles.
Sleeping with makeup on
When fatigued, you forget to remove your makeup and you go to bed with foundation, powder, eye shadow, mascara, and blush. In time, this habit can cause pimples, fine lines and wrinkles.
Stress
Stress triggers many health conditions, and premature aging is one of them. Stress can take an enormous toll on your skin, so you should try to fight it.
Lack of sleep
People need 7 or 8 hours of sleep a night. When they fail to get enough sleep, their body cannot maintain the collagen levels and trigger the appearance of wrinkles. Sometimes lack of sleep can also cause dull skin and eye bags.
Diet
You really are what you eat, so keep an eye on your diet to make sure it doesn’t affect your skin. If you have a sweet tooth, try to restrain your cravings because sugar damages the collagen in the blood vessels and facilitates fine lines and wrinkles formation. Processed foods can also cause skin problems.
Over-exercising
Working out keeps you healthy, but too much exercise can damage your skin cells and loosen your muscles. Don’t allow a healthy habit to have detrimental effects on your skin.
Unclean skin
It’s ideal washing your face two times a day to hydrate and clean it. Speaking of hydration, you should also stay internally hydrated because dehydration causes premature skin aging.
How to fight it
SPF
You may not be an outdoors individual, but you cannot hide away from the sun. Daily activities like walking your dog, heading to the office and running errands cause the most significant sun damage. To protect your skin, use broad spectrum screen protection every time you leave the house.
Protect your skin from pollution
The planet is dirtier and dirtier daily, and each time you get outside your house, you expose your skin to atmospheric stressors and pollution. Research shows that pollution damages the skin as much as sun rays. To prevent premature skin aging, use anti-pollution skincare products.
Vegan products are the best because they include clean ingredients that moisturize and protect the skin. Antioxidant skincare products are also essential because they prevent inflammation and scavenge skin-aging free radicals.
Use professional products
Anti-aging facials should begin in your 20’s to maintain your skin healthy and prevent the toxic effects the environment has on your completion. The Medical Clinic of Northville recommends introducing collage products in your daily routine because they can help the skin restore its elasticity and fight extrinsic aging. If you don’t know what products to use to prevent premature aging, consult a licensed dermatologist or aesthetician. They evaluate your skin condition and recommend a skincare routine that meets your specific needs.
Exfoliate your skin
Exfoliation products are your best friends because they can erase years of skin damage. You can diminish the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles if you regularly exfoliate. Exfoliation also unclogs pores, minimizes the appearance of dark circles under eyes, reduces hyperpigmentation, and lessens excess oil production.
Call your aesthetician
Seeing a licensed aesthetician is the best way to reverse premature aging. Aestheticians do more than plumping lips and injecting fillers, they also educate people on how to adopt a comprehensive healthy lifestyle that protects their skin.
Chemical peelings are effective treatments for most aging signs because they stimulate the natural production of collagen and make the skin look more radiant. Look for a formula with ingredients that hydrate and strengthen your skin.
A therapist from your local spa center can help you determine what product is right for your complexion. Also, regular facials manipulate the skin to produce more collagen and increase cell turnover rate. Masks and skin treatments provide oxygen and nutrients your skin needs to stay healthy.
It’s never too late to change your lifestyle
The path to beautiful and glowing skin is care. Stop your bad habits and your skin will get better.
