Natural ways to protect our skin in summer
All of us dream of aging like fine wine. But, how many of us work toward that dream? If you think that your aging will slow down automatically, you are wrong. Aging is accelerated by your lifestyle, certain environmental factors, and the amount of attention you pay to it – things that you can control. So, the sensible approach to get younger-looking skin and age gracefully is by taking care of your skin and taking a balanced approach in your life. In this article, we have compiled some easy-to-follow tips that can help you look and stay younger.
Many things cause our skin to age. Some things we cannot do anything about; others we can influence.
One thing that we cannot change is the natural aging process. It plays a key role. With time, we all get visible lines on our face. It is natural for our face to lose some of its youthful fullness. We notice our skin becoming thinner and drier. Our genes largely control when these changes occur. The medical term for this type of aging is “intrinsic aging.”
We can influence another type of aging that affects our skin. Our environment and lifestyle choices can cause our skin to age prematurely. The medical term for this type of aging is “extrinsic aging.” By taking some preventive actions, we can slow the effects that this type of aging has on our skin.
Some ways to reduce premature skin aging
The sun plays a major role in prematurely aging our skin. Other things that we do also can age our skin more quickly than it naturally would. To help their patients prevent premature skin aging, dermatologists offer their patients the following tips.
Protect your skin from the sun every day. Whether spending a day at the beach or running errands, sun protection is essential. You can protect your skin by seeking shade, covering up with clothing, and using sunscreen that is broad-spectrum, SPF 30 (or higher), and water-resistant. You should apply sunscreen every day to all skin that is not covered by clothing.
Apply self-tanner rather than get a tan. Every time you get a tan, you prematurely age your skin. This holds true if you get a tan from the sun, a tanning bed, or other indoor tanning equipment. All emit harmful UV rays that accelerate how quickly your skin ages.
If you smoke, stop. Smoking greatly speeds up how quickly skin ages. It causes wrinkles and a dull, sallow complexion.
Avoid repetitive facial expressions. When you make a facial expression, you contract the underlying muscles. If you repeatedly contract the same muscles for many years, these lines become permanent. Wearing sunglasses can help reduce lines caused by squinting.
Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Findings from a few studies suggest that eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables may help prevent damage that leads to premature skin aging. Findings from research studies also suggest that a diet containing lots of sugar or other refined carbohydrates can accelerate aging.
Drink less alcohol. Alcohol is rough on the skin. It dehydrates the skin, and in time, damages the skin. This can make us look older.
Exercise most days of the week. Findings from a few studies suggest that moderate exercise can improve circulation and boost the immune system. This, in turn, may give the skin a more-youthful appearance.
Cleanse your skin gently. Scrubbing your skin clean can irritate your skin. Irritating your skin accelerates skin aging. Gentle washing helps to remove pollution, makeup, and other substances without irritating your skin.
Wash your face twice a day and after sweating heavily. Perspiration, especially when wearing a hat or helmet, irritates the skin, so you want to wash your skin as soon as possible after sweating.
Apply a facial moisturizer every day. Moisturizer traps water in our skin, giving it a more youthful appearance
Stop using skin care products that sting or burn. When your skin burns or stings, it means your skin is irritated. Irritating your skin can make it look older.
Avoid or limit sun exposure. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun’s rays speeds the natural aging process by breaking down the collagen and elastin fibers that keep your skin firm. Spending too much time in the sun may age your skin more quickly, so avoid or limit how often you are in the sun.
- Wear a broad spectrum, high SPF sunscreen every day.
- Put on a hat with a wide brim to help protect your skin from sun exposure.
- Sit under an umbrella at the beach, pool, or golf course.
Eat Fatty Fish
Fatty fish – like salmon, tuna, mackerel, and herring – are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce the risk of cardiovascular conditions and keep your heart healthy .They can also reduce the risk of inflammation caused by UV-rays exposure and have a photoprotective effect. Thus, they protect your skin from sun damage and photoaging .
Eat Dark Chocolate!
It sounds like sweet relief! Chocolate contains flavonols that help reduce blood pressure and improve insulin sensitivity and artery functions, thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases .The flavonol in cocoa also improves the flow of blood to your skin. This means your skin gets more oxygen and stays healthy and appears younger!
Sleep Well!
Poor sleep quality can affect skin barrier function and cause skin aging . Once the skin barrier is compromised, your skin becomes dull, dry, and prone to inflammation. You need to sleep at least 7-9 hours a night to keep your skin healthy and maintain a youthful appearance.
Aging is a natural process that you cannot avoid. However, when you have a balanced lifestyle and follow a good skincare routine, you do not really need to work hard and burn a hole in your pocket to look younger. Avoid junk food and try to stick to a healthy routine, and you will see results in no time. You can also consult a doctor or a nutritionist to figure out the changes you need to make in your diet and lifestyle.
The points that we have mentioned here are not difficult to follow. Try to follow them for a few days, and let us know how you feel. Drop your feedback in the comments section below.
Relax And Take A Break
Stress reduces your quality of life and induces inflammation in your body. As a result, you may experience health issues such as depression, a decline in brain function, diabetes, and metabolic issues .This can show up on your skin. So, take a break and relax. Meditate, travel, spend time with your family, watch a movie, go out with friends – do whatever helps you relax.
Note: Some anti-aging products prescribed by a dermatologist may burn or sting. When using a prescription anti-aging product, this can be OK. Just be sure to let your dermatologist know.
Never too late to benefit
Even people who already have signs of premature skin aging can benefit from making lifestyle changes. By protecting your skin from the sun, you give it a chance to repair some of the damage. Smokers who stop often notice that their skin looks healthier.
If signs of aging skin bother you, you may want to see a dermatologist. New treatments and less-invasive procedures for smoothing wrinkles, tightening skin, and improving one’s complexion are giving many people younger-looking skin.
Compiled by various Medical science Research.
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