Some effective ways to delay skin aging
As children, we never had to worry about wrinkles and sagging skin. Eventually, everything changes, and everyone ages. Depending on genetics, race, lifestyle, and diet, the signs of aging may begin to appear as early as in one’s 20s. Why and how our skin ages depend on several factors.
Youthful skin is always plump, taut, and firm. Sagging skin, lines, and wrinkles, and sunken areas go beyond the skin. These changes seen externally are also caused by changes in the skin’s underlying structures too. Add external factors such as stress, late nights, alcohol, and smoking, sun damage, and a poor diet, these factors can accelerate the aging process.
- In one’s twenties to one’s thirties, the skin starts to show minimal signs of aging. Collagen and elastin production slows down. Wrinkles start to show on the forehead, eyes, and lips with facial expressions (dynamic wrinkles). Skin starts to dry out as well, and eye bags begin to appear.
- As one enters their forties, those dynamic wrinkles deepen, and due to gravity, volume and fat loss, sagging cheeks become more prominent, making the skin lose its firmness. The skin starts to get thinner, the hairline starts to recede, and sunspots may even appear for some as well.
- In their 60s and beyond, dynamic wrinkles become static and hallows under eyes are even more prominent. Contours change further as muscle and bone density decreases on the face too.
For Asians and those with darker skin, compared to Caucasians, aging is slower due to a thicker dermis and more melanin. Everyone will still age eventually.
For Asians and those with darker skin, compared to Caucasians, aging is slower due to a thicker dermis and more melanin. Everyone, however, will still age eventually. So how can we keep our skin healthy aside from diet and a healthy lifestyle?
- Invest in the right skin care. If it’s someone else’s holy grail, it doesn’t mean it’s yours too. Always do a patch test, especially for products that can irritate your skin, i.e. retinol, vitamin C, niacinamide, and other actives.
- Be gentle. Always be careful when treating your skin. From cleansing to removing makeup, pressing and pulling too hard can make your skin sensitive and more irritated.
- Not too hot, not too cold. Washing with water that is too hot can dry your skin. While cold water has its benefits like making pores look smaller, just use lukewarm water when cleansing your skin.
- Clean items that are in constant contact with your skin. Keeping makeup brushes clean, regularly changing bedsheets and pillow cases, and wearing a loose hair tie when sleeping can help keep oils and bacteria from getting trapped in your skin.
- Add a humidifier at home. Air conditioning can dry your skin over time, so you might want to try a humidifier in your room to help keep your skin hydrated.
- Wear sunglasses outdoors. Aside from sunscreen and wearing clothes that add extra UV protection, wearing sunglasses can also keep you from squinting your eyes that can cause wrinkles.
- Face treatments. Nowadays, there are a lot of options that can help keep your skin youthful and help fade the signs of aging. Even if you are not ready for surgical treatments, non-invasive procedures such as Botox, dermal fillers, and lasers are popular and effective too. These can address different issues such as wrinkles, volume loss, skin rejuvenation, and more.
- Be realistic. Remember that skin care products take time to produce results. Also, regular skin care won’t give you the benefits that equal what in-clinic treatments can do.
We will all experience aging skin when we grow older. But do remember that it always looks better to age gracefully than just letting it be. Start building good skin habits so you can keep your skin healthy and youthful as long as you can.
