Have you ever wondered if there is a certain age that you should start using anti-aging products? I mean, when does your skin start to show visible signs of aging?
The answer is that it really depends on the individual. Some people can get by without using anti-aging products until their 30s, but others will see wrinkles and sagging as early as their 20s.
What causes these differences in skin aging? A lot of it has to do with genetics, but your habits also have an impact (1, 2).
In this article, you will learn about two habits that speed up the aging process of your skin. Read on to find out what they are and how to avoid them.
If you’re looking to speed up the aging process of your skin, try these two things:
1. Don’t wear sunscreen.
2. Live in a sunny climate (or soak up the rays on vacation).
Sounds ridiculous right? But these are two habits that significantly increase the rate at which our skin ages, according to Dr. Elizabeth Hale in this interview with The Derm Blog.
Dr. Hale is a board-certified dermatologist and clinical associate professor of dermatology at New York University Medical Center. She explains that UVA rays from the sun penetrate deep into the dermis and break down collagen, leading to wrinkles and sagging skin.
The good news is that you don’t have to be a sun worshiper to reap the benefits of vitamin D from sunlight–just 10-15 minutes per day outside is enough to produce adequate vitamin D levels. Just be sure your sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB rays, apply it generously, and reapply every two hours when outdoors (and after swimming or sweating).
Sun exposure isn’t the only way we can damage our skin; as we age, our skin becomes thinner and drier, making it more prone to damage via external elements such as pollution and other environmental factors.
You want your skin to look as vibrant and youthful as possible. That’s why you cleanse, tone and moisturize twice a day. And you eat a healthy diet, drink plenty of water and use the best anti-aging products to keep your skin in tip-top shape. But did you know there are two habits that can actually speed up the aging process of your skin?
You probably know that smoking is bad for your health. But the habit is even worse for your skin! Smoking reduces blood flow to the skin which leads to dullness, wrinkles and premature aging. Smokers also have a higher risk of developing squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and melanoma than non-smokers.
If you’re already a smoker, it’s never too late to quit! You will see an immediate difference in the appearance of your skin after quitting.
The effects of aging are unavoidable, but there are certainly ways to slow down the process. There are two common habits that greatly speed up aging of your skin: smoking and sun exposure. Both habits can be avoided or significantly reduced to improve the condition and texture of your skin.
Smoking is one of the most preventable causes of premature aging. There are many harmful effects on your body, not only on your skin, including wrinkles and an uneven complexion. Smoking narrows the blood vessels in the outermost layer of the skin, which depletes it of oxygen and nutrients that are vital to your skin. This causes collagen that is beneath the surface of the skin to deteriorate, which leads to wrinkles and fine lines.
Sun damage is another major cause of aging, as it breaks down collagen in a similar way as smoking does while also causing discoloration and spots in the form of freckles or age spots over time. Sun damage starts as soon as you step out into the vivid light, which is why it is so important to wear sunscreen daily when outside for long periods of time or even just for a short walk around the block.
Do you want to look older than your age? Would you like to add ten years to your skin’s appearance overnight? I don’t think anyone would answer “yes” to those questions. However, there are certain habits that people do on a regular basis that speeds up the aging process of their skin.
I’m sure that you’ve heard that cigarette smoking is bad for your health, as well as for your skin, but did you know that secondhand smoke can also damage the dermis and cause premature aging? You may not be the one smoking but being around someone who does could negatively affect your skin. When a person smokes a cigarette, over 4,000 chemicals are released into the air. These chemicals can irritate and dry out your complexion and make it more prone to wrinkling.
If you live or work with people who smoke, make sure they smoke outdoors instead of inside. Ask them to wash their hands before touching you as well, as they will have nicotine on their hands from handling cigarettes. Also avoid visiting bars and restaurants that allow indoor smoking. The air in these places will be filled with smoke and could harm your complexion.
Another common habit that causes wrinkles is sleeping on your stomach or on your side with your face smashed into the pillow. Every
The two main characteristics of an aging skin are: (1) the loss of firmness, and (2) the occurrence of wrinkles. These two features are the result of a number of factors that can be grouped into two categories: intrinsic factors, which correspond to natural aging; and extrinsic factors, which are external aggressions such as sun exposure and pollution.
Intrinsic aging is a physiological process which manifests itself primarily in the dermis. It is due to the progressive decrease in cellular activity (fibroblasts, melanocytes) and the accumulation of abnormal structures (elastosis). It is characterized by the reduction in collagen fibers, elastin fibers, and hyaluronic acid.
Extrinsic aging can be seen in all skin layers. It is characterized by the accumulation of degenerative changes whose intensity depends on sun exposure. The skin becomes atrophic and more fragile.
The dermis is the second layer of skin, which is made up of connective tissue. The dermis contains collagen, elastic fibers, and extracellular matrix. This layer of skin is less susceptible to sun damage than the epidermis.
The dermis provides the body with physical protection from outside elements like UV rays and pollution. The dermis is also the layer where hair follicles and sebaceous glands are found.
If you have ever damaged your skin by burning or piercing it, then you have likely seen the dermis in action. The dermis provides a protective barrier between the epidermis and deeper tissue.
The dermis contains collagen and elastin fibers that provide structure to the skin. Collagen is a protein that helps form blood vessels and also gives skin its strength. Elastin helps skin bounce back into shape after being stretched or pinched. Without these fibers, our skin would not look as youthful, firm, and healthy as it does now.
Some people are surprised to learn that their bodies do not make new collagen once they reach a certain age—instead, they only make less collagen each year! By choosing products that stimulate collagen production in your face or body (or both!), you can help maintain your youthful glow