Image: Hans Pama
Aging is inevitable and is normal; what is not is premature aging.
Knowing the factors that contribute to it is essential in preventing it. Here are the top 8 things that cause premature aging:
1. Inflammatory foods
Inflammation is the body’s normal response to injury. This is a normal process. However, when inflammation persists, this reparative process can do more harm than good.
It is believed that many of the age-related diseases are brought by chronic inflammation. These can be prevented though by making healthier lifestyle choices especially with food.
Instead of gorging on highly processed food, nutritionists recommend eating more whole foods which include fruits, vegetables, lean meat, and healthy fats.
2. Alcohol
Excessive drinking can speed up your aging process.
Alcohol can have an adverse effect on your nutrition levels, including vitamin A which is vital for the regeneration of new skin cells.
Vitamin A is also essential for collagen production. Collagen is what keeps the skin taut and supple. Hence, when vitamin A is depleted, the collagen production will be affected, causing dry and dull-looking skin.
3. Stress
Constant stress can take a toll on your overall health.
Job-related stress, for instance, can has a negative effect on the DNA of your cells.
Researchers found out that those who have the most work-related stress have the shortest telomeres, which cause the cells to get damaged or die.
4. Lack of sleep
New study shows that the lack of sleep can cause the skin to age faster.
Researchers found out that those who are sleep deprived show advanced signs of skin aging. Poor sleepers also gave themselves worse assessment of their skin compared to those who are well-rested.
5. Unprotected sun exposure
Sunbathing feels so good but doing it without any form of protection is the easiest way to speed up your skin’s aging process. It weakens your skin cells and blood vessels, causing your skin to look tanned and leathery.
The use of a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF of at least 15 is the simplest and easiest way to protect the skin from the damaging effects of the sun.
6. Smoking
Smoking is one of those habits you don’t want to get started with. Aside from increasing your risk of lung diseases and cancer, it can also age you.
Smoking affects the blood vessels, which deliver blood and nutrients all throughout the body. When the skin cells are deprived of their needed nutrients, you’ll start noticing the changes on your appearance – pale skin, uneven skin tone, sagging skin (as a result of damage to collagen and elastin), and appearance of age spots (smoking makes you more susceptible to having them).
7. Sedentary lifestyle
Moderate intensity exercise for at least three times a week can have a rejuvenating effect on your skin.
In one study, researchers found out that aerobic exercises like HIIT (high-intensity interval training) can boost the cells’ ability to produce more proteins within their mitochondria, which can help stunt the aging process at a cellular level.
If you’re doing strength training, you’ll be happy to know that combining HIIT and strength training is highly recommended as we tend to lose muscle mass as we age.
8. Wrong type of makeup
Makeup can do wonders in hiding your skin’s imperfections. However, using the wrong type of makeup can do more harm than good. In fact, some makeup can make you look older than your actual age.
Heavy foundations and powders, for instance, can settle in your wrinkles, accentuating the fine lines around your eyes and lips.
Unless you’d want to look five years older, opt for a foundation or powder with a lighter formula or for a tinted moisturizer that provides coverage while enhancing the luminosity of your skin.
Are you guilty in one or two of these habits? What are the skin changes have you noticed? Share your experiences below!