When you are young what you do or do not do will have a real impact on your skin later in life. If you are diligently good to your skin, you can prevent premature aging and have flawless and beautiful skin long after everyone else starts to show signs. But we are not perfect, and often when we are young we don’t think to ourselves that we should stay out of the sun so that we don’t develop wrinkles in our 40’s; we believe we are invincible and the pleasures of today often win over the cautions of the future. So for everyone who spent one too many days out in the sun, or maybe smoked when they were going through a rebellious phase, there are things you can do to reduce signs of premature skin aging, so before you make an appointment at your nearest plastic surgeon for an emergency face lift, try some of these top 10 ways to reduce premature skin aging, and let that glowing gorgeous skin shine through.
- Wear Sunscreen Everyday
This is a rain or shine kind of deal. The suns UV rays beam through clouds and stormy skies, so don’t feel like you can skip this step just because it is an overcast day. The sooner you get into a good habit of putting on sunscreen first thing in the morning, the more likely your skin cells are to accumulate sun damage. Sun damage is the number one factor in the premature aging skin. So putting sunscreen into your daily routine, coupled with an anti-aging cream, is the best bet in combating premature aging and reducing the signs of aging you may have already acquired. Make sure the sunscreen is at least 30 SPF and labeled “broad spectrum” for best coverage.
- Avoid Tanning, Indoors and Outdoors
It might feel so good to lay in the sun and let those hot rays soak into your skin, and having that sun-kissed glow is an added bonus. But intentional tanning is the fast track to your skin prematurely aging and developing sun spots and wrinkles. Because your skin is made up of collagen and elastin fibers, which give it its bounce, elasticity and youthful plump, it is important to maintain those properties by not subjecting them to cell-damaging sun exposure. Sunscreen can help, but over-exposure to sun hurts your skin in multiple ways, damaging cells, dehydrating them, and deteriorating collagen. Cover up in the sun, and stay cool in the shade to keep your skin looking youthful. You can also consider using liquid collagen, a multi-patented collagen supplement enriched with plant derived ingredients and hyaluronic acid, which is gaining popularity for its potential to promote skin elasticity and reduce wrinkles. Taking liquid collagen supplements can lead to a more radiant and youthful complexion. However, no matter the supplements used, protecting your skin from harmful UV rays remains crucial in maintaining its health and preserving that youthful glow in the long run.
- Wear Sunglasses
The protection that sunglasses give to your eyes is extremely important for your vision, but they also protect the delicate and thin layer of skin around your eyes which are much more prone to fine lines and wrinkles. It also helps relax your facial expressions, by helping you not to squint in the sunlight which can also cause wrinkles and “crows feet” around the eyes, another sign of premature aging. Plus they are a stylish accent to your wardrobe, protective and fashionable.
- Wear Sun Protective Clothing
If you are attempting to reduce and repair the signs of skin aging, you are most likely wanting to live a healthy and active lifestyle. So if you are going to be outdoors, hiking, biking, or living a generally fit lifestyle, be sure to cover yourself with sun protective clothing. When we exercise we sweat and the coolness of our sweat might trick us into thinking we are not getting overexposed to the sun, which is not true. Many athletic companies make sweat wicking and cooling sportswear which will protect your skin from the sun and help you be the best athlete you can be.
- Don’t Smoke
Smoking cigarettes are more than just lung and respiratory problems. The toxins in cigarettes get into your bloodstream and affect you on a cellular level. Your skin cells need oxygen to repair and strengthen themselves, smoking constricts the amount of oxygen to your cells, causing them to deteriorate. Smokers tend to develop fine lines and wrinkles at an exponentially younger age than non-smokers. There is no denying that in any form, smoking is bad for your health and your skin.
- Avoid Over Consumption Of Alcohol
Having a glass of red wine or two every couple of nights has some surprisingly positive health benefits. But going out every weekend and binge drinking on all sorts of booze is not the same type of lifestyle and can actually have detrimental effects on your premature aging. Alcohol dehydrates your body and your blood vessels and you can not heal your collagen and skin cells as effectively when your body has too much alcohol in it and not enough water, it is why we all look a bit rough on a hangover. Limit your consumption of liquor to a healthy amount and keep drinking plenty of water while at the same time.
- Avoid Yo Yo Dieting
When we put our bodies into an unhealthy state, they cannot function properly. If your body is constantly going through the stress of dieting and you are not giving it the proper healthy nutrients it needs, your weight is not the only thing you will have to worry about. The stresses put on your body when dieting, affect your body as a whole, and your skin, hair, and nails are all part of that. People who have unhealthy diet habits tend to show symptoms of premature aging more than others.
- Start A Retinoid Treatment
Retinols or Retinoids are prescription face medications that were created by scientists to help rehabilitate and reproduce skin cells. Add a face cream to skin care routine with prescription strength retinol and you will help to ease discoloration, dark spots and blemish scars from premature aging and other factors. There are non-prescription versions that can help as well, especially if you want to start a mild treatment.
- Boost Your Skin Care With Antioxidants And Peptides
Instead of the boring normal facial cleanser and moisturizer skin care routine, add some more depth to your regimen by finding skin care products with collagen boosting antioxidants and skin-repairing peptides. A heavy night cream with Retinol as well as these other peptides and loads of hydrating properties can give your skin the boost it needs during your time of rest and healing to help you wake up feeling fresh and youthful.
- Consider Medical Treatment
Some types of skin are more susceptible to premature aging than other types. If your skin has noticeable sun damage, broken blood vessels, fine lines or deep wrinkles and you feel like you want to reverse these issues medically, there are various options for you to choose. Facials with microdermabrasion are helpful at keeping the epidermis top layer smooth and even. Even certain spot laser treatments are non-invasive and extremely successful at fixing any discoloration or small fine lines. The best form of reducing premature signs of aging is prevention, and there is no better time to start than now.
Jazz Pollard
I m a post-graduate in English literature and a writer and beauty researcher. I have over a decade of experience in researching and writing as a profession and as a passion. I am a beauty blogger who loves to write articles for beauty and makeup related topics in power of self-motivation. A person, according to me, is perceived by others in the same way a person perceives himself or herself. I enjoy in writing the feedbacks regarding various beauty and skincare related products.