5 Main Causes Of Premature Skin Aging

Skin is the largest organ in the human body and protects our internal organs, therefore it is our main defense against injury & sickness. It’s size alone makes it prime for the accumulation of harmful toxins easily penetrating its structure and impairing its function. Here is a list of lifestyle activities that contribute to premature ageing of the skin and quick hints to avoid them.

1. Smoking cigarettes is bad for your skin With in the region four thousand unknown chemicals that form cigarette smoke, there is a very real chance that the toxins congregate together in the skin eventually causing a medically recognized phenomenon called “smoker’s face” which is characterized by wrinkled, gray-yellow, dry skin. The best thing you can do is to stop smoking and to avoid smokers who share secondhand smoke that is just as potent. Smoking also depletes your body’s Vitamin C - which is a key nutrient for many of the body’s natural healing properties so increasing your Vitamin C intake whilst cutting down on the cigarettes can point you in the right direction.

2. Alcohol Consumption Fewer substances can compare to the dehydrating powers of alcohol and its presence in the body can only result in cell dehydration, especially for skin cells. It doesn’t take an expert to figure out that a shortage of water in the skin cells leads to wrinkles, dryness, flakiness, and skin irritation. Alcohol also dilates small blood vessels under the surface of the skin which over time causes a permanent rosy appearance much like sunburn. There is no alternative but to stop drinking frequently, lest you will give your skin that horrible look of blotchy redness for the rest of your life.

3. Get your 8 hours a night! General fatigue is one obvious symptom for people who do not get adequate sleep as the body does not have time to refresh damaged tissues and regulate other processes. Common symptoms like dark circles and bags under the eyes imply accumulated damage that was not repaired due to sleep deprivation, and this continues to build-up, if unattended, until the body cannot undo the damage. The best solution is to always aim for around 8 hours of sleep each night. If not possible to get 8 hours sleep at night try having a nap during the day, make sure to turn-off all lights and close all your window blinds to simulate the feel of night. Doing this will correct the body’s off-key cycle eventually adjusting its common healing mechanisms to what is fit for you.

4. Stress Stress is is one of the main reasons for all those lines and wrinkles on your face, nothing else is as effective at making you old, rugged, and tired. Learn to find relaxation whenever you can through rubdowns and fresh air. Try to make some time for a physical activity that will allow you to vent all your worries, such as boxing, running or just going to the gym, yoga, biking, hiking to name just a few. Relaxation can likewise be attained in the home by making use of scented candles, music and mood lighting. Who says spas have to be expensive? There are more activities out there that can aid you to achieve healthy, young-looking skin but it is always practical to cut out unnecessary social vices.

5. Sunbathing Sunbathing is one of the most aggressive causes of aging. Holidaymakers lie in the sun to achieve the perfect tan but suntanned skin is actually a sign of sun damaged skin. The sun can age your skin in the following ways:

Fine Lines The most obvious sign of aging is wrinkles. We are pretty much guaranteed to develop a few wrinkles naturally as we age due to our expressions and creases in our faces, and we are all united in wanting to keep them at bay!

Liver Spots Call them what you will liver spots, sun spots or age spots are all the same thing - small patches of pigmentation caused by excessive exposure to the sun. An uneven complexion can be equally as aging to the appearance as wrinkles, and pigmentation can be prevented by looking after your skin, limiting sun exposure and wearing sun cream. However, the damage may have already been done as accumulated sun exposure over the years cannot be reversed.

Keratosis A more dangerous condition related to sun exposure is actinic keratosis. The dry lesions if left untreated can become cancerous. AK’s tend to affect those who also suffer from wrinkles and pigmentation as the cause is the same. Early diagnosis & treatment can cure the condition.

The pathway to healthy, glowing skin begins when you decide to quit with these unhealthy habits. All it takes is a little knowledge and a lot of hardwork.