Aging Skin | The Dirty Dozen - 12 Things That Make Your Skin Look Old

The "Dirty Dozen": 12 Things That Make Your Skin Look Old

3. Hyperpigmentation/Age Spots. Age spots and hyperpigmentation, or facial discoloration, give the skin an uneven appearance that contributes to the visible signs of aging in the skin. In fact, from a visible standpoint, this is as aging, if not more so, than facial wrinkles. Refraining from excessive sun exposure is perhaps the number one way to combat age spots and hyperpigmentation. For some, medications such as birth control, or hormones from pregnancy, can induce facial discoloration. Skin care also plays a major role, with specific anti-age-spot ingredients such as kojic acid playing an important role.

5. Enlarged Pores. As we age, the appearance of the pores becomes more prominent, and the skin looks rougher and less smooth. Once again, the key to this is exfoliation and proper skin care products.

6. Smoking. Smoking reduces the body’s supply of vitamin A and absorption of vitamin C, which are both vital in protecting skin. Additionally, because smoking shrinks the size of capillaries, blood flow becomes more restricted, and vitamins and oxygen are not delivered to the skin. Smoking increases production of the enzyme that breaks down collagen. One cigarette contains 4,000 chemicals. Why spend money on skin products when you are ingesting poison?

7. Excessive Sun Exposure. The sun is our enemy when it comes to aging skin. With repeated exposure to the sun, the skin loses the ability to repair itself, and the damage accumulates. 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. Its helpful to measure skin aging due to the sun when determining what course of skin treatments will work best for you.

8. Chronic Inflammation. Inflammation is the source of much disease. When our bodies are subjected to inflammation on a regular basis, tissues are weakened. In terms of skincare, inflammation can come from several sources, such as sickness, allergies, or skincare products. Ultimately, the inflammatory response is really the body’s defensive response via the immune system to combat injury or infection. There are many ways to control this, including through diet and a proper skincare regimen.

9. Improper Skin Care. Having a proper antiaging, anti wrinkle skin care routine is crucial to getting the best results. Avoiding inflammation, the right ingredients, and proper skin care packaging (to avoid lessening of the ingredients effectiveness over time) can make all the difference.

10. Lack of Sleep. During sleep, the body repairs and replaces damaged tissues and cells, including the skin. Without enough sleep, the repair process is slowed and cortisol levels are raised, which can impede collagen production and accelerate water loss. The result is dry skin and wrinkles. Lack of sleep increases the appearance of dark circles under the eyes. During sleep, circulation is increased. A lack of sleep impacts circulation and those not getting enough might appear paler, increasing the visibility of dark circles, which can be attributed to dilated blood vessels under the eyes where the skin is thinnest. According to The Better Sleep Council, the average person needs seven to eight hours of sleep per night, but this varies from person to person.

11. Poor Nutrition. What a person looks like on the outside begins on the inside. Vitamins, minerals and antioxidants are vital for nourishing and hydrating skin, protecting it and aiding in repair and protective functions. Poor nutrition leads to decreased cellular repair, dehydration and a decrease in collagen and elastin production.

12. Dehydration. Deyhdrated, or dry, skin can look very aged. Dry skin is generally the result of both internal and external factors, including not drinking enough water, getting enough nutrients in the diet, using improper skin care, excessive sun exposure, and dry weather (especially in the winter). Additionally, the aging process seems to increase dry skin. The dullness from dry skin is visibly aging - nothing like the glow of the 20's. Using emollient products, non drying cleansers, sun protection and drinking plenty of fluids all help fight this sign of aging skin.