In average, when you are celebrating your 29th birthday, that’s the moment when you will start to look old. The first signs of ageing start to become apparent on the surface of the skin. Fine lines appear first, and over the time, you will start to see wrinkles. Then a loss of volume become noticeable. Our skin ages for a variety of different reasons. Of these reasons, some of them can be avoided and some are can’t. For the reasons that can be avoided, it can be controlled to an extent by a holistic approach to prevention.
In general, it is neither too early nor ever too late to start on what we call a prejuvenation (prevention and rejuvenation) regimen. Even for millennials, it is better to maintain skin health, vitality, elasticity, and vibrant along the way, minimizing exposure, photo-aging, and environmental damages that will cause premature signs of aging. In other words, a consistent proactive and protective routine will serve more long-term benefits than having to take stronger measures once more noticeable signs of aging kick in. Therefore, here we provide 5 tips to prejuvenation to kick any signs of ageing!
1. Sun protection
People generally slather on sunscreen for special outdoor occasions, like heading to the beach or attending a picnic. While sunscreen protects against sunburns and skin cancer, there is another benefit: It helps reduce signs of skin aging. Evidence shows that using sunscreen every day helps slow down the skin’s aging process. Studies show that those below age 55 who apply sunscreen regularly have 24 percent less chance of developing these signs of aging than those who don’t.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using sunscreen every day that you plan to be outside, instead of just on special occasions. The sun emits harmful rays year-round, even on cloudy days. There are two types of sun rays that can damage your skin in different ways. UVB rays are responsible for sunburns while UVA rays can lead to aging and the development of skin cancers.
2. Healthy eating
You do look the way you eat. Putting your best face forward starts with putting the right ingredients in your mouth. According to Dr. Ingky, the same foods that are good for your health are good for your skin. Experts say these four skin-boosting choices will do as much for your appearance as your inner health:
Tomatoes: They’re full of lycopene, a phytochemical that provides red pigment and health benefits. Lycopene helps eliminate skin-aging free radicals caused by ultraviolet rays. This means, it protects your skin against sun damage.
Mango, papaya & apricot: Got that washed-out look? Load up on some fruit. Mangoes, papaya, and apricots are full of pigments called carotenoids, which are stored in the layer of fat directly beneath the skin and can improve color. As expert says, they peek through and giving you a rosy glow.
Cocoa powder: Flavonals, the antioxidants in dark chocolate, reduce roughness in the skin and protect against sun damage. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition found that women who drank cocoa fortified with 326 milligrams of flavonals a day had better skin texture and stronger resistance to UV rays than those who didn’t get as much of the antioxidants.
Flaxseeds: Think of these as tiny wrinkleS fighter. They’re packed with omega-3 fatty acids, which erase spots and smooth fine lines. In one study, participants who had about half a teaspoon of omega-3s daily for six weeks had less skin irritation and redness, as well as better-hydrated skin. That’s likely because fatty acids attract water to skin cells, plumping the skin and reducing wrinkling.
3. Sleep
Our bodies depend on a good night’s sleep for rest and recovery from the stressors of the day. Because the skin is the largest organ of the human body, sleep is vital for healthy skin. Without regular, quality sleep, many people begin to notice an increase in fine lines, uneven pigmentation and reduced elasticity in their skin. Simply put, they look older than their actual years would indicate because lack of sleep weakens the skin’s ability to repair and rejuvenate itself.
The American Academy of Sleep Medicine reports that about 30 percent of adults in the U.S. regularly do not get enough sleep. During eight hours of sleep our bodies go through three distinct stages that contribute to our overall well-being, and aid in the nightly restoration of our skin.
First stage: In the first three hours of sleep the pituitary gland produces somatotropin, the human growth hormone. This hormone contributes to the maintenance of youthful and healthy skin. Without somatotropin your skin does not repair as well from day to day. Inadequate somatotropin accelerates the aging process.
Second stage: Production of the hormone melatonin increases during the next two hours of sleep. Melatonin works as an antioxidant that helps protect the skin from damaging free radicals (unstable atoms that cause illness and aging).
Third stage: During the final stage known as REM sleep (Rapid Eye Movement), your cortisol levels begin to decrease along with skin temperature. Cortisol is a stress hormone. As the skin cools, our muscles relax and collagen production increases. Collagen is a protein found throughout the body. It makes skin more supple and smooth, easing out fine wrinkles. Good sleep that promotes collagen production allows the skin to make its strongest recovery of the night.
4. Moisturizer
Moisturizing alone can improve the appearance of your skin. It temporarily plumps the skin, making lines and wrinkles less visible. Moisturizers are lotions, creams, gels and serums made of water, oils and other ingredients, such as proteins, waxes, glycerin, lactate and urea. Using moisturizer is one way to lessen the impact of wrinkles before they appear. If you have oily skin, you can keep your skin clear and less wrinkled with hypoallergenic moisturizers.
Your body's ability to fight free radicals that attack and damage cells and collagen also slows with age. Antioxidants work to protect skin of free radicals and improve its appearance, repairing damage and moisturizing the skin. Antioxidants are found in vitamins C, E, and A, which should be a regular part of a healthy diet. Many skin care products now include these antioxidants in their formulas as well.
5. Anti-Aging Ingredients
When it comes to skincare, there are so many alleged "miracle" serums and elixirs out there that promise to make all your wrinkles disappear overnight. But the truth is, there are only a handful of ingredients that are clinically proven to have anti-aging effects. So, what are those ingredients, exactly? According to our board-certified dermatologists, look for these 3 ingredients in anti-aging skincare.
Peptides. These molecules occur naturally in living organisms. Certain peptides are able to stimulate collagen production and have been shown to improve skin texture and wrinkling.
Retinol. This term is used for vitamin A compounds, such as retinol and retinoic acid. These ingredients have long been used topically to help repair sun-damaged skin and reduce fine lines and wrinkles.
Vitamin C. Vitamin C is a potent antioxidant, which means it protects the skin from free radicals, such as unstable oxygen molecules that break down skin cells and cause wrinkles. Vitamin C may help protect skin from sun damage and reduce fine lines and wrinkles. Before and between uses, wrinkle creams containing vitamin C must be stored in a way that protects them from sunlight.
Join the conversation