Slow Aging Skin With These Helpful Hints
September 8th, 2010

Does it look like Father Time has been marching to the beat of his own drummer across your skin? Well, it could be that you have made some unhealthy moves throughout your life to cause such a march. While you may not be able to totally reverse the damage on your skin, you can slow down the hasty progression of aging.

It takes commitment to change your lifestyle and health choices in order to create an anti-aging regiment for your skin. Therefore, you need to identify and understand why some of those lifestyle choices are what is causing you to contemplate plastic surgery today. Here are a few things that you can address in your quest for healthier, younger looking skin:

1. Sun exposure is perhaps the largest contributor to skin aging and damage. If you do not completely cover up with a powerful SPF sunscreen each time you are out in the sun, your skin will become a canvas of brown sunspots, wrinkles, leathery textures, dry patches and mottled appearances. Skin cancer is a huge possibility if you have not protected yourself. It’s not too late to start covering up and protecting you with sunscreen, long sleeves and hats.

2. Cigarettes are another major contributor to aging skin. Repeated exposure, whether you smoke or work in a smoking environment, can cause major dryness and wrinkles. This occurs because your body loses vitamin C due to this parching habit. Vitamin C is what keeps your skin supple and dewy.

3. Alcoholics beware! You are at great risk of looking twenty years older than what you are. Alcohol contributes to aging skin by expanding the blood vessels in the skin which in turn increases the blood flow near the surface. When this is repeated over and over, your skin could become permanently damaged with broken blood vessels, creating an aged appearance.

4. Couch potatoes also age more than those who are physically active. Exercise keeps the blood flowing and maintains muscle tone. This keeps wrinkles and sagging from occurring prematurely. In addition, exercise increases your energy levels which show on your face.

5. Stress is another problem that can affect aging skin. When you worry, you probably frown or wrinkle your forehead. Well, in time, your face can conform to these “worry” lines because muscles have memory. Therefore, you have to find ways to relieve that stress to erase those lines and wrinkles. Meditation, aromatherapy, massage, yoga and relaxing methods can ease those lines for a smoother, younger you.

6. Repeated exposure to cold weather and winds can make skin super dry which is one way to age skin. If you plan to be outdoors in cold, inclement weather, lather up your skin with a good moisturizer. This acts as a buffer against the cold winds and even indoor dry heated areas which are also a problem for skin. Humidifiers might help as well.

7. Not enough rest or sleep contributes to dark circles, bags under the eyes and a general tired look. This eventually creates sagging skin. By getting enough rest, you can reduce the puffiness of your skin and also develop a rosy glow of health. If you have any problems sleeping, the help of a professional can get your so sleep again. In addition, if you nix the caffeine and make dinner time several hours before shuteye, you can reduce your sleep problems as well.

While growing older is inevitable, you can fight off aging skin by adopting a healthy diet and sensible practices to protect your skin. Growing old gracefully can be achieved by taking good care of your health from the inside out.

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