How to Avoid Premature Aging
The 5 major causes of premature aging are:
The Sun: The damage caused by the sun is seen through deep wrinkles, age spots (hyper-pigmentation), spider veins, rough, blotchy complexion and a “leathery” look.
Smoking: Smokers are more likely to develop wrinkled, leathery skin, as well as a yellowish complexion. Even if you aren’t a smoker, being around someone who smokes can still cause damage to your skin.
Lack of Sleep/Stress: Skin is the first place that is affected by lack of sleep- the immediate effects of exhaustion are represented through dark circles under the eyes and sagging skin.
Lack of Exercise/Poor Diet: Exercise is important to maintain muscle tone and stimulate blood flow to the skin. A poor diet leads to lack of nutrition for the cells and possible exposure to chemicals and preservatives. Fried and burnt food can also cause oxidation leading to weaker cell structure.
Exposure to the Elements: Cold winds and low temperatures can dry out the skin, depriving it of balanced levels of sebum (oil) that keeps the skin lubricated. Without these oils the skin becomes dry and is more prone to premature aging because the oils protect our skin. Forced air heating and warm, dry air also act like sponges that soak up the moisture from our skin.
An effective prematurely-aging skin treatment regimen will include exfoliation, hydration, vitamins to help smooth skin, stimulate collagen production and increase skin’s natural protective barrier and last but not least Sun protection.
Exfoliation helps remove dulling skin cells while improving penetration of beneficial ingredients. Emollients such as Shea Butter and Organic Silicones will help maintain soft, smooth, pliable skin and will act as a lubricant, helping to reduce flaking and moisture loss while improving appearance. It has been scientifically proven that topically applied vitamins do improve the health of your skin. Vitamin A helps inhibit collagen breakdown while stimulating collagen production, Vitamin B5 aids in wound healing, Vitamin C is an antioxidant that inhibits melanin (hyper-pigmentation), and Vitamin E is an antioxidant that provides barrier protection while smoothing skin.
If the sun is your skin’s worst enemy, then sun protection is our first line of defense. With new technology, it is now easy to find sunscreens that won’t clog pores, cause irritation, or feel chalky or greasy. When you are selecting sun protection look for SPF combined with antioxidant vitamins. Research shows that sunscreens formulated with antioxidant vitamins provide enhanced protection against UV light and free radicals.
Dermalogica’s Solar Defense System delivers this antioxidant technology through UV Smart Booster Technology, a microcapsule containing antioxidant vitamins that bursts upon contact with UV light, releasing antioxidants onto your skin, providing protection when it is needed most. Dermalogica’s Solar Defense System has a sun protection product ideal for all skin conditions: dry skin, oily/acneic skin, premature aging skin, sensitive skin and even Rosacea. It also includes convenient solar defense wipes, water-resistant spray on sunscreen and after sun care.
Cited Source: "How Can I Avoid Premature Aging?" Dermalogica, Los Angeles, CA. www.dermalogica.com/ca