signs of aging

7 Signs Of Aging And How To Slow It Down

August 1, 2017 by Natalie Taylor

Image: Pedro Ribeiro Simoes

Whether we like it or not, we are going to age. It’s part of the natural process.
Many of us usually notice the signs of aging starting at the age of 25. The most common signs include sun spots, fine lines, crow’s feet, dullness, puffy eyes, dryness, and drooping.
1. Age Spots
Age spots refer to the small, flat brown spots on the surface of the skin. Also called as liver spots, sun spots, and senile lentigo, age spots may also appear gray or black in some people.
Skin experts don’t always know why age spots develop but they suspect that it has something to do with the excess production of melanin, the pigment that gives our skin its color.
People usually develop age spots as a result of sun exposure or any other form of ultraviolet (UV) light exposure such as the use of tanning beds. The face, shoulders, upper back, forearms, and back of the hands are the common areas where age spots develop. These are the areas commonly exposed to the sun.
How to slow it down:
Over-the-counter bleaching agents containing 2% hydroquinone can help fade age spots that aren’t too big or too dark. While you cannot expect immediate results from using these products, they can work for you if you use them regularly.
Sunscreen products can prevent new age spots from developing and keep existing ones from getting darker. When buying sunscreen, choose the broad-spectrum type. These are sunscreen products that protect you from both UVA and UVB rays. And don’t forget to choose one with sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30.
2. Fine Lines
After the age of 20, our body’s production of collagen reduces 1 percent less each year. Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and it’s what gives our skin its strength and elasticity. A reduction in the production of collagen results in thinner and more fragile skin, causing fine lines and wrinkle formation.
How to slow it down:
A healthy lifestyle is one way of slowing down the appearance of fine lines. This means eating healthy food which will provide the body with the essential nutrients it needs for cell regeneration and maintaining vital body processes. This also means protecting the skin from the damaging effects of the sun (i.e. using broad-spectrum sunscreen when heading outdoors), quitting smoking, staying well-hydrated (dehydrated skin will only make fine lines more noticeable), and getting enough sleep.
3. Crow’s Feet
Crow’s feet are fine lines that form around the eyes. While unprotected sun exposure is the main culprit of these lines, unhealthy lifestyle choices may also contribute to their development.
There are two types of crow’s feet: dynamic lines and static facial lines. Dynamic lines are those produced by the actions of the underlying muscles. They are usually activated when you are smiling, frowning, or squinting. Static facial lines, on the other hand, are those that are present the whole time even when you’re asleep. These lines are often the result of long-term sun damage and a long history of squinting and frowning.
How to slow it down:
Wearing sunscreen with SPF of at least 30 can help in slowing down the development of crow’s feet. The sun weakens the skin and can reduce its elasticity.
Aside from wearing sunscreen, donning a good pair of UV-protecting sunglasses can also help in preventing wrinkles around the eyes as a result of squinting.
Facial exercises are other non-invasive ways to get rid of crow’s feet. When you do it right and on regular basis, you can loosen those muscles that are activated when you’re smiling, frowning, or squinting.
4. Dullness
Dullness is a common skin complaint and is one of the first few signs of skin aging. It refers to the lack of radiance or glow which is often associated with healthy, young-looking skin. Skin dullness may also refer to uneven skin texture or tone.
Every 10 years, our skin loses about 7% of its ability to renew itself. Couple that with an unhealthy lifestyle such as smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and unhealthy eating, the skin eventually loses its natural glow as a result of oxygen and nutrient deprivation.
How to slow it down:
The best way to slow down or prevent skin dullness is preventing the major culprits such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption. Shifting to a healthier lifestyle which involves healthy eating and sufficient hydration also helps. Effective and regular skincare regimen which involves exfoliation and use of antioxidant-rich products can also be a great way to prevent skin dullness.
5. Puffy Eyes
Aging can cause thinning of the membrane responsible for holding back the fat for both the upper and lower eyelids. As a result, the fat herniates and pushes forward, causing the formation of bags under the eyes.
A diet high in sodium, lack of sleep, dehydration, and stress can also contribute to the development of puffy eyes.
How to slow it down:
Lifestyle is an important factor in the prevention and even in slowing down the formation of bags under the eyes. Cutting back on salt, getting enough sleep, avoiding known allergens, and using cool compress on the eyes can reduce the puffiness and darkness of under-eye circles.
6. Dryness
Our skin tends to get drier as we age as a result of having fewer natural oils, accumulated damage from the sun, decreased cell renewal, and loss of hormones responsible for keeping the skin well-moisturized. It can also be a result of dehydration and smoking.
Dry skin doesn’t look good. It can appear rough, flaky, scaly, or cracked. When left unmanaged, dry skin can lead to skin irritation and even to infection.
How to slow it down:
Like other age-related skin changes, sun damage plays an important role in skin dryness. Hence, one of the best ways to prevent it is to wear good quality broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF of at least 30.
A diet rich in antioxidants and healthy oils can slow down and may prevent the damaging effects of the free radicals on the skin. Free radicals are one of the contributing factors to the development of wrinkles, fine lines, and skin dryness.
The use of a moisturizer also helps especially if it contains vitamin A, glycolic acid, and moisturizing ingredients such as aloe vera, glycerin, and mineral oil.
7. Drooping
There are two possible reasons for sagging or drooping skin – loss of collagen and loss of facial fat.
Sun damage contributes to sagging skin as it breaks down the collagen, the protein that keeps the skin smooth and supple.
How to slow it down:
Making healthier choices in life can make a difference in preventing and slowing down skin sagging. If you’re a smoker, it’s worth giving up the habit. Thousands of chemicals in a tobacco smoke can trigger the destruction of elastin and collagen.
Aside from quitting smoking, protecting your skin from the sun can also prevent skin sagging. Make sure to use a broad-spectrum sunscreen when you’re heading outdoors and staying in the shade between 11 A.M. and 2 P.M., times of the day when the sun is strongest.
Incorporating foods rich in antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids such as berries and nuts can also fight off facial sagging. They help in regulating the degenerative processes and inflammation in the body.

When To Start Checking For Signs Of Aging

June 6, 2017 by Natalie Taylor

Image: Etsuko Naka

The skin changes as we age. However, some of us may age faster than the others. This can be a result of different factors including stress and lifestyle choices.

Factors Affecting Skin Aging

Stress
Stress is inevitable and although it’s seen as vital in improving productivity and efficiency, long-term exposure to stress can have detrimental effects on the health including the skin. Studies have it that stress can speed up the aging process by shortening the length of each DNA strand.
Every person has 23 pairs of chromosomes (23 from the father and 23 from the mother). Each chromosome serves as a DNA library with ends protected by structures called telomeres. Telomeres lose their structural integrity when they become shorter. When this happens, cells age and die faster.
Researchers found out that exposure to stress in various stages of life can accelerate shortening of telomeres.
Lifestyle Choices
Diet
Lifestyle choices can also have an effect on the speed of aging. A diet high in processed food doesn’t do anything good for the skin. Too much sugar, for instance, can cause skin dullness and wrinkle formation. In the bloodstream, sugar attaches to protein in a process called glycation. This process causes damage on the skin’s collagen and elastin. This can eventually lead to the skin getting brittled and wrinkled.
Tobacco Smoking
Several studies suggest that smoking can damage the skin through its effect on the capillary and arteriolar blood flow. Research also suggests that smoking may also cause damage to the connective tissues that help in maintaining healthy skin.
Alcohol Consumption
Too much alcohol consumption may also speed up the skin’s aging process. It has a dehydrating effect on the skin and decreases the body’s level of vitamin A which is vital for cell renewal and turnover. Deficiency in vitamin A also make it difficult for the body to fight off free radicals that cause skin damage.
Sun Exposure
Unprotected sun exposure doesn’t just increase your risk of skin cancer, it can also cause your skin to age prematurely. It can cause the skin cells of the upper and middle layers of the skin to die. While a single sunburn may not have detrimental effects on the skin, constant exposure to the sun without any form of protection can have compounding effects which can accelerate the skin’s aging process.

When to Start Checking for Signs of Aging

Since the speed of skin aging varies from one person to another, you shouldn’t wait for you to be in your 40s to start checking for signs of skin aging. By that time, it may be too late to do something about it.
Even if you’re still in your 20s, you can start checking for signs of skin aging such as:

Wrinkles
Fine lines and wrinkles are the first noticeable skin changes that may appear starting at the age of 25. They can be found in different areas of the face including the forehead, outer corners of the eyes (also known as the crow’s feet or laughter lines), and between the nose and the mouth. These lines can get deeper as the skin further loses elasticity and volume.
Skin sagging
Skin sagging is another sign to watch out for. Characterized by loss of contours, skin sagging can happen as a result of loss of volume. This can change the contour of the face and give one a sad or depressed look.
Dryness
We normally lose our skin’s elasticity and firmness as we age. Typically, it can happen starting at the age of 50 and onwards.

Skin dryness may cause the skin to look ‘crepey’ and may cause formation of deeper lines or wrinkles.

You need to act immediately once you spot any of these symptoms. You may want to consider changing your facial routine, seeing a skin care specialist, or trying facial yoga. Trying any of these can help in preventing further skin damage.

The 5 Signs Of Aging – What To Look Out For

November 22, 2016 by Natalie Taylor

Image: Timothy Krause

There are things that we barely noticed not until we examined ourselves closely. This is especially true for skin issues brought by aging.

The Common Signs of Aging

The following are gentle reminders that you are aging and that the more you should take care of yourself especially your skin:
1. Hyperpigmentation
Hyperpigmentation is one of the largest skin concerns for both men and women in the United States. It is a harmless skin condition characterized by patches of skin that are darker than the surrounding skin. This dark patches are brought about by excessive production of melanin, the pigment that gives the skin its color.
Unprotected sun exposure is one of the most common causes of hyperpigmentation. When the skin is exposed to the UV rays, the pigment melanin is produced in order to protect the skin from injury. But when the exposure is too much for melanin to handle, the skin reacts through the formation of darker skin cells, protecting the overexposed areas.
The simplest way to prevent hyperpigmentation is to wear sunscreen. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 30.
2. Dry skin
Dry, itchy, and rough skin is common among aging women. This happens as a result of sun damage, decreased cell renewal, loss of hormones, and having fewer natural oils.
There are things that can be done in order to keep the skin from further drying as we age. Using sunscreen is one of the simplest yet often neglected skin advice. The sun’s UVA and UVB rays can speed up the skin’s aging process and cause other skin problems like melasma, age spots, and wrinkles. Sunscreen should be applied before heading outdoors and reapplied for at least every two hours.
Applying creams containing retinoid (a chemical related to vitamin A) also helps. Topical retinoid can be great for those with dry, sagging, and blotchy skin.
Aside from retinoids, one can also try using moisturizers with glycolic acid, glycerin, aloe vera, and other similar ingredients that help in keeping the skin supple.
3. Dull skin
Dull skin is when you’re having a skin that lacks radiance or glow. It may also involve other skin problems like uneven skin tone or texture.
The lack of glow in your skin is often the result of poor blood circulation. It can be due to smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, poor diet, dehydration, and basically anything that deprives the skin its needed nutrients and oxygen.
If you’re starting to notice dullness in your skin, know that you can still bring back its glow. You can do it by quitting smoking, moderating your alcohol consumption, start eating healthy, drinking more water, and starting an anti-aging skin regimen.
As we age, it’s important to include exfoliation in our skincare regimen. Exfoliation gets rid of the dead skin cells that are contributing to skin dullness. You may want to try exfoliating products containing glycolic acid. It’s an effective exfoliator and is a common ingredient in chemical peels.
4. Open pores
Enlarged pores are more noticeable as we age. They create that irregular texture in the skin and keeps the skin from having that radiance or glow.
Large pores become more obvious as a result of reduction in collagen. Collagen is the substance that makes the skin look plump. Since its production usually declines as we age, the pores also lose their elasticity and become more dilated.
There are ways though to combat large pores. This includes regular exfoliation which helps in removing debris and bacteria. Exfoliating products that contain alpha hydroxy acids can help as they can reduce enlarged pores which result from sun damage.
5. Lines and wrinkles
Lines and wrinkles are the most common signs of aging. Like other skin problems associated with age, lines and wrinkles are also brought about by different factors including dehydration, smoking, and sun damage.
Making necessary changes in your lifestyle like quitting smoking, using sunscreen, and eating a healthy and well-balanced meals can help in preventing premature aging of the skin. Facial exercise also helps as it promotes good blood circulation in the face.
Proponents of facial exercise believe that when the skin is ‘worked out’ regularly, it can prevent skin sagging, a common problem among aging men and women. There are different facial exercises to try depending on the areas you want to work on.
We may not have the ability to stop the clock from ticking but we have the choice on whether to do something or not with the changes. Aging is normal but to age with beauty and grace is a choice.