Many people wonder what they can do to maintain a youthful complexion as they grow older. Everyone ages differently and at their own pace. The appearance of wrinkles, folds, and creases is often just a part of genetics. However, there are an abundance of ways you can take care of your skin in a manner that can actually delay the signs of aging by just adjusting your lifestyle. Here are a few lifestyle tips and changes you can follow to look younger, healthier, and more vibrant.
Cut Down on Sun Exposure
While it might feel great to spend time sunbathing, the aftereffects of too much sun can quickly damage your skin and make you look much older. Harmful UV rays from the sun break down collagen and elastin in your skin, which can contribute to wrinkles, discoloration, and older-looking skin. Keep yourself protected during the day with the use of a good sunscreen and a wide-brimmed hat. Sunglasses are a great choice to protect the sensitive skin around the eyes.
Start Hydrating More
Trading a sugary soda or morning coffee for a bottle of water is one of the best ways to delay the signs of aging. Proper hydration keeps your skin moist, supple, and plump. A lack of water will also make any fine lines or wrinkles more pronounced, so make sure to drink at least eight cups per day to both look and feel your best.
Exfoliate Properly
Your skin will naturally shed itself of dead cells, but you can speed up the process to bring out a more radiant face. Over the counter products with glycolic acid are usually safe enough to exfoliate with on a weekly basis. Use your fingertips or a soft pad to gently rub across the skin so you do not clog any pores. Getting into a skincare routine as part of your daily activities is a good habit towards keeping yourself looking youthful.
Stop Smoking
Smoking is one of the quickest ways to damage your skin and accelerate the aging process. Cigarette smoke contains a number of toxins that often get absorbed into the skin. These can cause a gray complexion, deep wrinkles (especially around the mouth and eyes,) cheek lines, and a gaunt look. Putting down the cigarette for good will make your skin look and feel younger and put a stop to some of the damage already in place.
Ditch Alcohol
Drinking alcohol can lead to dehydration and rob your body of much-needed vitamins and minerals. It also keeps your liver busy, which means this vital organ has less time to flush out other impurities. Stopping drinking, or cutting back, often gives people a rosier complexion and clearer skin since there are less toxins in the body.
Banish Junk And Sugary Foods
One of the most important lifestyle changes to delay the aging process is changing up your diet. Foods that are fried or filled with a lot of sugar increase glycation cells. These destroy collagen and elastin, which can quickly lead to wrinkles, breakouts, and a variety of other skin problems. Focus on foods filled with Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Selenium, and Zinc, since these four supplements help with cellular regeneration and collagen production – minimizing the number of wrinkles. Fatty acids, often found in fish and flaxseed, help your skin repair itself and remain fresh.
Exercise And Sleep Properly
Regular exercise and a good sleep schedule go a long way towards keeping your skin youthful and lush. Your skin needs to replenish itself to stay youthful and healthy, and physical activity keeps this process going by promoting blood circulation and cell metabolism. Adequate rest also gives your body time to regenerate skin so it looks more youthful. Aim for anywhere between six to nine hours of sleep per night.
Your Consultation With Sara Yegiyants, Plastic Surgery and Skin Spa
There is an abundance of things you can do to keep your skin healthy and youthful even as you grow older. At Sara Yegiyantes, Plastic Surgery and Skin Spa, we can give you advice on a number of products and strategies you can use to delay the signs of aging and keep looking great. Schedule a consultation with our team today if you are interested in learning more about how just a few simple lifestyle changes can delay the signs of aging. We look forward to working with you!
Contact us today or call 805-682-1731