We live in a society that when it comes to aging that we fix what we have broken, we do not typically practice prevention. These tips describe preventative ways you can prevent aging. It includes common sense techniques as well as non-invasive, non-ablative cosmetic dermatology procedures to turn back the clock, provide maintenance and prevent aging.
1) Stay out of the sun between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m., when the sun’s rays are the strongest. Without protection from the sun’s rays, just a few minutes of exposure each day over the years can cause noticeable changes to the skin. Freckles, age spots, spider veins on the face, rough and leathery skin, fine wrinkles that disappear when stretched, loose skin, a blotchy complexion, actinic keratoses (thick wart-like, rough, reddish patches of skin), and skin cancer can all be traced to sun exposure.
Scientific studies have shown that repeated ultraviolet (UV) exposure breaks down collagen and impairs the synthesis of new collagen. The sun also attacks our elastin. Sun-weakened skin ceases to spring back much earlier than skin protected from UV rays. Skin also becomes loose, wrinkled, and leathery much earlier with unprotected exposure to sunlight.
People who live in sun-intense areas, such as Florida or Arizona, can show signs of photoaging in their 20s. In fact, some people who live in sun-intense areas develop actinic keratoses (AKs) and skin cancer in their 20s.
2) Wear Protective Clothing
Wearing protective clothing, such as a wide-brimmed hat and long sleeves, when outdoors during the day. Wear long sleeves, pants, protect the forgotten area which is your neck.
3) Stop the Indoor tanning devices
Avoid sun lamps and tanning beds or salons. They provide mostly high-output UVA rays. Some experts believe that 15 – 30 minutes at a tanning salon is as dangerous as a day spent in the sun. People should not be misled by advertising claims of “safe” tanning or promotions offering unlimited tanning. Mist on tanning is a safer method of getting a healthy bronzed look to the skin.
FACTOID: Suntanning is an addiction: There is research that from previous experiments that UV light causes endorphin release, similar to the euphoric sensation associated with intense exercise commonly referred to as “runner’s high” or other pleasure seeking behavior. One such study showed that those with a positive family history of skin cancer, 77% purposely tanned their skin outdoors and 45% used indoor tanning devices.
4) Wear wrap around sunglasses that block 99% of UV-A and UV-B rays.
Exposure to the sun can exacerbate your dark circles. Sunlight darkens the skin by raising melanin levels and bringing melanin to the surface of the skin. These boosted melanin levels make dark circles look darker. Dark circles can worsen after a trip to the beach or the tanning bed.
5) Seek shade under a tree or building when outside Seek relief from the heat and the damaging rays of the sun. Seek permanent shade structures over outdoor locations which are protected from the sun, such as when at playgrounds, pools, beach resorts, eating areas, and other locations. Each year, 1 million new cases of skin cancer will be diagnosed in the U.S. This exceeds all cancers combined.
6) Use an umbrella or canopy
Taking a vacation to an Exotic Beach Resort? Imagine relaxing on the beach. Rent a chair with and umbrella or a lounger with an umbrella or better yet a lounger with a canopy. These are especially comfortable for resting and enjoying long hours on the beach without the sun beating down damaging your skin. Make your reservations early as in some locations they are in high demand.
7) Wear a high SPF, broad-spectrum sunscreen Applying sunscreen year round. Sunscreen should be broad spectrum (offers UVA and UVB protection) and have a Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. Sunscreen should be applied 20 minutes before going outdoors to all skin that will be exposed. It should be reapplied after sweating or being in water. And remember that with sunscreen, you need to defend yourself against the sun’s rays with both UVA and UVB protection. Some work by scattering the light, reflecting it away from your body. Others absorb the UV rays before they reach your skin.
8). Facial Expressions. If you perform facial exercises to maintain a youthful-looking appearance, it is time to stop. Repetitive facial movements actually lead to fine lines and wrinkles. Each time we use a facial muscle, a groove forms beneath the surface of the skin, which is why we see lines form with each facial expression. As skin ages and loses its elasticity, the skin stops springing back to its line-free state, and these grooves become permanently placed on the face as fine lines and wrinkles.
However, it is possible to correct this factor by exercising the facial muscles in a correct manner and learning to consciously control the expressions that promote deep creasing. If unable to limit expressions, one can get Botox(r) or Dysport(r) to control the deep nasal brow lines or forehead lines that form. Smiling at everyone you know and constantly pursing the lips increase your risk for deep lines. Using straws or drinking out of a bottle that has a sports lid can cause you to pucker.
Some individuals continually pucker when they speak. Think about what movements you do repeatedly that cause you to purse or pucker your lips and are causing the vertical lines above your lip or deep grooves in your face. Or consider filling in the smile lines with safe FDA approved fillers such as Perlane(r) or Restylane(r) or Juvederm(tm).
9) Fight Aging with non invasive/non ablative laser treatments Gravity constantly pulls on our bodies. Changes related to gravity become more pronounced as we age. As we age, our skin’s elasticity and collagen production declines dramatically, the effects of gravity become evident.
Gravity causes our face to droop, the eyelids to fall, jowls to form, an increase in wrinkles, dark circles and the upper lip to disappear while the lower lip becomes more pronounced. The laser procedures can also stimulate cell turnover, eliminate the blotches or “dispigmentation” caused by accumulated melanin, and promote the growth of new dermal collagen. The result: smoother, clearer, firmer, radiant skin. Who doesn’t want to look the best they can at any age?
10) Sleeping Positions. Resting your face on the pillow in the same way every night for years on end also leads to wrinkles. These are called sleep lines, these wrinkles eventually become etched on the surface of the skin and no longer disappear when the head is not resting on the pillow.
Women, who tend to sleep on their sides, are most likely to see these lines appear on their chin and cheeks. Men tend to notice these lines on the forehead since they usually sleep with the face pressed face down on the pillow. People who sleep on their backs do not develop these wrinkles since their skin does not lie crumpled against the pillow.
For more information you can go to www.UltraSmoothSkin.com and learn how to fight aging with noninvasive and nonablative cosmetic dermatology treatments.
