As we add up to our years, our skin also undergoes several changes. While we won’t be able to stop the hands of time and have flawless skin forever, it doesn’t mean we have to look older than our age because of aging skin. We can age with beautiful and healthy skin and prevent early signs of skin aging. Aging skin care regimens can also help maintain and even slow down the skin’s aging process.
Seeing the Signs
Our skin naturally undergoes a process called internal aging. This usually starts when we reach our mid-20s, although the signs do not appear typically for decades. At this stage, collagen production slows down and the elastin component of our skin loses its elasticity. Dead skin cells are not shed as quickly as before and there is also a decreased level of skin cell production. Genes also control the rate of skin aging process. Visible signs of internal aging include the following:
- Presence of fine wrinkles or lines and age spots
- Sagging appearance
- Thinner and more transparent skin
- Decreased skin tone and shrinking of the skin
- Feeling of dryness and itching
- Diminished sweating ability of the skin
- Graying hair and hair loss
- Thinner nail plates and appearance of nail ridges
In combination with the skin’s normal aging process, several external factors can speed up the rate of skin aging and greatly affect the skin’s overall appearance and function as well. Signs of aging skin can be slowed down and prevented by changing lifestyle habits. Several effects of poor health habits on the skin are as follows:
- Cigarette smoking depletes the body of Vitamin C, thus increasing skin wrinkles and dryness.
- Exposure to the sun’s harmful UV rays gives the skin a dry and leathery appearance, increases wrinkles and sagging, produces sun spots and increases the risk of skin cancer.
- Lack of exercise which can decrease overall vitality and contribute to aging skin because of decreased muscle tone and blood flow. This also lessens the body’s ability to remove byproducts through sweating.
Insufficient rest and sleep can cause dark circles and bags under the eyes as well as sagging skin. It can also give the skin a dry appearance and feel. - Use of alcohol also plays a role to aging skin as it expands or dilates the skin’s small blood vessels and increase blood flow near the surface. Eventually, it creates a flushed appearance and breaks vessels on the surface of the skin.
- Stress can contribute to aging skin as it tends to develop frown lines and furrows on facial skin. Wrinkles become etched on the face and produced a tired appearance.
Preventing the Signs of Aging Skin
Early signals of aging skin can be dealt with by getting protection from the sun’s damaging rays using sunscreens. Quitting on tobacco and alcohol coupled with healthy diet and exercise can significantly improve the skin’s tone and appearance. Getting adequate rest and sleep is also a vital measure to maintain healthy skin and perk up the body’s overall condition. Aging skin can also be revitalized by using anti-aging treatments that restore the skin’s quality and glow.