When a new wrinkle or fine line appears overnight, we’re even more aware of the fact that our skin ages right along with us. Most people can easily recognize the signs of aging because of its impact on their skin, but some aging signs are more like subtle hints than red flashing lights. Whether subtle or immediately noticeable, signs include:
- Wrinkles
- Loss of elasticity
- Dryness
- Increased sensitivity
- Brown spots
- Thinning of the skin
- Widened blood vessels
Where Wrinkles Come From: Internal & Environmental Causes
Aging is a natural part of life, but did you know that our skin cells actually start renewing slower as we age? This affects the appearance of our skin. Two main factors – internal and environmental – are capable of either speeding up or drawing out how we age.
When we properly care for ourselves by eating nutritious foods, exercising and living otherwise healthy lifestyles, we do a lot for the appearance of our skin.
Worsening the Wrinkle
So, self care can dramatically affect the health of our skin, and how long it takes to begin showing the signs of aging. But by contrast, here are a few things that speed up the aging process because of internal functions, the environment and negative life choices that we may make:
- Our skin cells start renewing at a slower pace
- Circulation within the skin becomes reduced
- We accumulate tissue damage due to natural, endogenous aging (This is the classic “genetic clock”)
- Environmental factors (e.g. sun, cigarette smoke, climate, air pollution, poor nutrition, stress) wear on skin with free radicals, hormones and more
Cosmetic anti-aging products can slow down the aging process, but they can’t completely reverse it (yet!). For more on slowing down the aging process for your skin, check out the American Academy of Dermatology’s tips here.
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