Premature skin aging can be caused by a number of factors, and it is never desirable or pleasant. Skin aging is part of the natural aging process that affects everyone, and usually begins in one’s early thirties.
Aging of the skin is generally associated with increased wrinkling, laxity and sagging of the skin. Based on the factors that influence it, the study of aging process shows it can be broken down onto two types of aging: intrinsic and extrinsic.
Smoking accelerates wrinkles as well, but the good news with extrinsic aging is that it can be controlled by improving our lifestyle habits and also get a little help from the anti aging skin supplements.
Skin care and the constant development of all sorts of anti-aging procedures and products make up a growing industry, with ever-increasing profits. Aging in America is expensive: according to recent statistics, Americans spend over nine million dollars each year on anti-aging skin products, and 90 million or more Americans have tried such products on at least one occasion. When it comes to medical treatment for natural and premature aging skin, billions of dollars are invested each year.
Based on how well the individual cares for their skin and overall health, signs of aging can begin in the 20s. In regards to premature aging skin, however, many of the causes can be avoided by healthy living or the effects can be reversed with treatment by a dermatologist.
Overall, as much as 80 percent of facial aging is caused by sun exposure, while other factors like smoking, stress and other lifestyle habits account for the other 20 percent. Consequently, avoiding these harmful factors may help delay your aging process and avoid premature skin aging.
Top 5 Factors that Cause Premature Skin Aging
1. Excessive Sun Exposure
As mentioned above, the sun is responsible for roughly 80 percent of the premature skin aging. Excessive sun exposure may cause loss of elasticity, increase dryness and roughness, as well as deep wrinkling and irregular pigmentation.
UV radiation from the sun breaks down collagen and the elastic fibre network, reducing the tensile and elastic properties of the skin, which in turn results in wrinkle formation. Applying broad spectrum sunscreen will not reverse existing damage to the skin, however it will help prevent further damage and wrinkling, as well as protect against skin cancer. In order to protect yourself from the harmful radiation from the sun, always use adequate sunscreen and avoid excessive sun exposure.
2. Smoking
According to several epidemiological studies, heavy smoking accelerates wrinkles, causing premature skin aging. A number of toxic components in tobacco are absorbed when smoking, causing the destruction of connective tissue. Moreover, smoking also increases collagenase enzyme, which results in collagen degradation.
Furthermore, by constricting your blood vessels, smoking decreases blood supply to the skin and deprives it of the oxygen it needs. Considering these reasons, it is obvious why smoking accelerates aging and leads to premature aging skin.
3. Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Alcoholic drinks dehydrate your body, and excessive alcohol consumption may lead to drier and older looking skin. If you want to avoid premature skin aging and maintain your overall health, avoid or at least limit your alcohol intake.
A drink once in a while will not have any long term or damaging effects on one’s overall health or condition of the skin, but drinking excessively or on a regular basis can cause premature skin aging, in addition to other health problems.
Alcohol, however, does not cause skin to wrinkle. Instead, it affects the health of the blood vessels, causing them to dilate, induce a flushed appearance and eventually causing capillaries to break.
4. Insufficient Sleep
Too little sleep can also lead to dull complexion, dark circles and puffiness under your eyes. In order to maintain your health and delay the aging process, you should get at least eight hours of sleep each night.
5. Stress
Excessive stress can also accelerate the normal aging process, so try to avoid stress as much as possible. Meditation, massage, fitness and exercise, physical activity in general will help you relax, feel better and look better.
Most of the extrinsic factors that accelerate the aging process are completely avoidable, or at the very least they can be minimized by changing habits, using adequate sunscreen, avoiding excessive sun exposure and leading a healthy lifestyle, with plenty of exercise and a balanced diet.