The changes that occur on our facial skin are mainly brought about by natural aging, but some habits can prematurely age your skin. You cannot change the natural aging process, and with time your face will lose its youthful fullness resulting in visible lines. Our genes have a lot to do with how the changes occur, but even if the skin of people in your family tends to wrinkle easily, you can have a great deal of control over your skin.
The environment and lifestyle choices also cause the skin to age prematurely [1]. Your skin becomes thinner, drier, loses fat, and no longer appears smooth and plump as it did before with time. It is inevitable for wrinkles to show up at some point but taking proper care of your skin will keep it wrinkle-free for the longest time possible. This kind of aging is medically known as intrinsic aging, and there are preventive measures that you can take to control it.
Age-related changes in your facial appearance are inevitable as they reflect the challenges and joys that you have experienced in life. One way to approach these changes is to embrace your age and appearance, but not everyone is at ease with it. While some people opt to counter it with expensive surgical age-defying facelifts, various inexpensive rejuvenating procedures are non-surgical.
If you are keen on your skin complexion and want to retain that glow, then there are some best practices that you can quickly adapt.
Sun Protection
Your skin needs protection from the rays of the sun if you want to maintain its luster [2]. Much of the damage to your skin comes from the UVA light spectrum. It would help if you used sunscreen daily on all parts not covered by clothing to protect your skin and always seek shade whenever possible. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV protection when at the beach or even when running errands.
Use Self-Tanner
If you want a tan, try not to do it outdoors or indoors as it prematurely ages your skin. The indoor equipment such as a tanning bed and the sun emit harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays. These UV rays accelerate the rate at which your skin ages. If you desire a tanned look, apply sunless tanners instead to maintain your skin. They come in creams, gels, lotions, sprays, and wipes, but you should note that they don’t protect you from sunburn; thus, you should wear your sunscreen every day.
Avoid Smoking
Smoking is harmful to your skin as it damages elastin and collagen, which are the fibers that give strength and elasticity to your skin [3]. The nicotine in cigarettes makes blood vessels constrict, thus reducing the blood that flows to the skin. It limits the supply of oxygen and essential nutrients like vitamin A to your skin. Smoking is also associated with causing wrinkles due to repeated pursing of lips.
Control Repetitive Facial Expressions
Repeated facial expressions such as squinting, pursing lips, or frowning can cause the underlying muscles to contract, forming wrinkles. When these expressions are repeated for many years, the formed lines become permanent. Wearing sunglasses to reduce squinting and consistently trying to relax your face can be helpful. If you are frequently squinting, get your eyes checked to get prescription glasses.
Healthy Eating
Some food such as vegetables and fresh fruits are very good in preventing damage that causes premature skin aging. They are rich in antioxidants that help to improve your skin’s elasticity, thus preventing damage and premature aging. On the other hand, a diet containing many carbohydrates and sugar will accelerate aging. Get help as bulimia and anorexia damage and stress your whole body if you have an eating disorder.
Reduce Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol dehydrates the skin, making it rough, and in time it causes damage. Too much drinking dilates your blood vessels, and you could develop rosacea (skin disorder marked by tiny pimples and redness) or broken blood vessels.
Exercise Regularly
Moderate exercise improves blood circulation and boosts the immune system. It will make your skin retain a youthful glow. Another thing that you should practice while you exercise and eat well is to stay hydrated. Your body requires water, which helps in vital functions like flushing toxins, aiding digestion, keeping your skin healthy, and regulating your body temperature. Finally, get enough sleep since your skin begins a renewal state when you sleep at night, improving your complexion.
Cleanse Your Skin
Avoid scrubbing your skin when washing to prevent irritation as this accelerates aging. Wash your skin gently to remove makeup, pollution, sweat, and other substances that cover it. If you sweat a lot, wash your face twice a day to keep it fresh. Apply a facial moisturizer after every wash daily to give your skin a youthful appearance.
Creams and Lotions
Some creams, lotions, and moisturizers help your skin be robust. They contain glycerin that allows your skin to retain water and become less greasy. Exfoliant creams make wrinkles less noticeable and remove dead skin cells. Several prescription creams reduce wrinkles and liver spots caused by sun exposure. These creams contain retinoids associated with vitamin A that induces collagen production in the dermis.
Botulinum Toxin Injections
If you have expression lines on your forehead and between the eyebrows, Botulinum injections can eliminate them. They partially immobilize muscles that create expression lines and smoothen the skin. Some deep expression lines may not disappear completely [4].
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are cosmetic procedures where injections are used to treat lines formed by lost fat and collagen. The injections contain hyaluronic acid, a complex sugar naturally occurring in many tissues. Initially, collagen was used, but hyaluronic replaced it, and although it is expensive, it lasts longer.
Laser Treatments
Laser treatment is preferable if you intend to get rid of liver spots and freckles. Lasers target certain pigments and are used as an overall resurfacing treatment of facial skin. Lasers strip the uppermost layers of the skin, removing scars, wrinkles, acne, and wrinkles. They work from the outer layer to a deeper level of the skin; thus, your skin will take some time to recover after the treatment.
If you plan to have a facelift and want to be entirely sure it will work, click here to learn more about the recommended procedures.
