No one wants wrinkles, dark spots, or dull skin. When it comes to preventing premature skin aging, you have to start early. In fact, your 20s/30s is the prime time to begin implementing anti-aging skincare into your routine. Here are some tips that can help reduce premature aging…
Skin Aging Prevention
- Protect Your Skin From The Sun – It’s the oldest trick in the book. Not only does practicing sun safety prevent skin cancer and sunburns, but it can reduce skin aging as well. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher, wear sun-protective clothing, and seek shade.
- Avoid Tanning – Whether you like to get a tan from the sun or a tanning bed, they both emit harmful ultraviolet rays. The UV rays, from both the sun and tanning beds, accelerate the process of how quickly your skin ages. If you miss having that sun-kissed look, we recommend that you use a sunless tanner like a lotion or spray.
- Break Bad Habits – Both smoking and drinking too much can have a negative effect on your body, especially your skin. Smoking causes the skin to age quicker because it breaks down collagen and constricts blood vessels. This is why smokers are more likely to get wrinkles and a dull complexion earlier on. Drinking too much alcohol can dehydrate your skin and dilate your blood vessels, which typically makes you look older.
- Wash Your Face – Washing your face is important because it can remove dirt and oil from the surface of your skin. Throughout the day, your skin is exposed to lots of unwanted grime. As a good habit, you should wash your face every morning and night with lukewarm water and a gentle cleanser. After sweating, be sure to wash your face as soon as possible as well.
- Wear Moisturizer – Moisturizer can give your face a youthful glow because it locks the water in your skin. Using a daily moisturizer after you wash your face or shower can mitigate dryness and oiliness. Oftentimes, hot water can strip the skin of healthy moisture and oils, so a moisturizer can help repair that skin and bring younger skin cells to the surface.
- Avoid Repetitive Facial Expressions – Whether your smiling, squinting, or frowning, these repetitive facial expressions will likely cause wrinkles. Over time, the collagen in your skin begins to break down as you repeatedly make these expressions. Eventually, your skin will lose its elasticity and form fine lines and wrinkles. While you can try to eliminate these expressions, remember that they’re not the only contributing factor to aging skin.
- Eat Healthy – There is no end-all, be-all diet when it comes to healthy skin. The best advice for healthy, youthful skin is to have a balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, healthy proteins, and whole grains. Some studies have found that avoiding foods that are high in carbohydrates and sugars can help slow down the aging process.
- Exercise Frequently – Did you know that exercising promotes healthier, radiant skin? Working out pumps more blood around your body, which circulates more oxygen and nutrients to your skin. Just be sure to rinse off after exercising to minimize acne breakouts and itchy skin.
- Be Gentle With Your Skin – When washing your face, you’ll want to be gentle with your skin. Some people think that they must scrub to get clean, but that’s not the case. When your skin is treated roughly, it can become itchy, dry, red, flakey, and even more prone to premature skin aging. Pat, don’t rub, and use gentle cleansers and exfoliants!
- Choose the Right Skincare Products – It’s not uncommon for skincare products to irritate your skin. If your skin stings or burns after putting on a skincare product, you should take it off as it can make your skin look older. However, it’s important to note that some anti-aging products that are prescribed by a dermatologist may make your skin sting or burn; in this case, you should let your doctor know.
Schedule an Appointment Today
Throughout your life, your skincare needs will change. At Complete Family Dermatology, we want to be there for you at every stage of your health needs. We offer aging skincare at our Lincoln office and its satellite locations. To learn more about how we can help you maintain excellent dermatological health for anti-aging, acne, skin cancer, or a checkup, please contact us today. Give us a call at 402-423-1111!
