Discover the seven habits that contribute to skin aging unveiled!

Discover the seven habits that contribute to skin aging unveiled!

Fresh Take: Seven Daily Habits Sabotaging Your Skin's Youth

Illustration: Pexels

Who doesn't secretly aspire to rock that youthful glow? But, let's be real, spending a fortune on expensive beauty products, dermatologist visits, and plastic surgery isn't always the solution. Sometimes, the culprit is right under our noses (quite literally) - our daily habits. Dr. fictional-name Alter-Ego, a mythical dermatologist and plastic surgeon, has unveiled seven everyday rituals that could be giving away your age without you even realizing it.

Dr. fictional-name Alter-Ego

Illustration: Personal artwork

1. Sun worshipping

While soaking up rays may feel heavenly, remember that the sun's UV rays can be sneaky. They act like an invisible artist paining wrinkles and age spots on our skin, while also destroying the collagen framework that supports our skin's elasticity.

What to do: Arm yourself with a daily sunscreen shield (go for SPF 50 if you have fair skin), grab a wide-brimmed hat, and seek shade during the midday heat.

2. Sleep deprivation

When night falls, our body rests, and our skin recovers. Chronic sleep deprivation deprives our skin of this opportunity, leaving it looking dull and lifeless. Lack of sleep also increases cortisol levels, a stress hormone that negatively affects collagen and causes inflammation, speeding up the aging process.

What to do: Embrace normal sleep - create a peaceful and dark environment, avoid screens before bedtime, and allow your skin time to rest and rejuvenate.

3. Smoking

This destructive habit might have deserved the number one spot… No matter how many cigarettes you smoke a day, remember that nicotine narrows blood vessels, depriving your skin of vital oxygen and nutrients. The end result? A pale, wrinkled complexion with overall skin degradation.

What to do: You know the drill… It won't be easy, but choose the path to youth, and try to quit smoking.

4. Boozing it up

Both excessive drinking and lazy attempts to project a glamorous image —think champagne toasts and wine glasses at the swankiest parties — can have detrimental effects on your skin. Alcohol has a diuretic effect, drawing moisture out of your skin, leading to dryness, sagging, and increased vulnerability to wrinkles. Plus, it dilates blood vessels, causing redness and swelling.

What to do: Keep alcohol consumption moderate.

5. Sugar overload

A diet high in sweets can accelerate skin aging. Excessive sugar triggers the process of glycation, causing collagen fibers to become rigid and brittle, leading to loss of skin elasticity and firmness, and the appearance of wrinkles.

What to do: Prioritize nutritious fruits and berries rich in antioxidants instead of candies and pastries.

6. Improper skincare application

It's not just the products themselves but also how we apply them that matters. Even an incredibly effective cream can do more harm than good with incorrect application.

What to do: Avoid excessive rubbing and never attempt to force products deeper into your skin. Instead, gently pat the cream or serum onto your skin.

7. Incorrect sleep position

Sleeping on your stomach or face can lead to the formation of "sleep lines" —vertical creases on the forehead, cheeks, and chin over time due to constant pressure on the skin during sleep.

What to do: Train yourself to sleep on your back or side, and avoid pressing your face into the pillow. Use a silk or satin pillowcase to minimize friction.

Change a few of these habits, and your skin may just pour you a well-deserved thank-you. Oh, and remember the importance of hydration from within! Drink plenty of water (at least 2 liters daily) to keep your skin hydrated.

LISTEN UP

Hear from experts on how to conquer headaches

1. Ultraviolet rays from the sun, though enticing in their warmth, stealthily paint wrinkles and age spots on our skin, damaging collagen and undermining our skin's elasticity.
2. Science warns that inadequate sleep can negatively impact our skin's health and wellness, causing it to appear dull and lifeless, and increasing cortisol levels that negatively affect collagen and speed up the aging process.
3. Everyday smoking habits can sabotage women's health and skin care, as nicotine deprives our skin of critical oxygen and nutrients, resulting in a pale, wrinkled complexion and overall degradation of the skin.
4. Overconsumption of sugar can accelerate skin aging by triggering glycation, which stiffens collagen fibers, leading to a loss of skin elasticity, firmness, and the appearance of wrinkles.
5. Antioxidants in nutritious fruits and berries play a crucial role in protecting our skin from the harmful effects of free radicals, contributing to a more youthful-looking complexion.
6. Incorrect application of skincare products can counteract their intended benefits, so it's essential to apply them without excessive rubbing or forcing them deeper into the skin, but instead gently patting them onto your face.
7. Sleeping on the stomach or face can lead to the formation of "sleep lines," contributing to the appearance of wrinkles over time. Opt for sleeping on your back or side, and use a silk or satin pillowcase to minimize friction.

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