When we age, our bodies go through a variety of changes, and one such change is skin wrinkling. As we grow older, collagen production tends to drop, thus depriving our skin of its natural elasticity. When our skin loses elasticity, wrinkles start appearing and become prominent on our faces. But, this is just one of the many causes of skin wrinkling, like the ones mentioned below.
Let’s take a look at some of the main causes of skin wrinkling.
Stress
One of the many reasons behind our wrinkling skin is stress. Contrary to popular belief, stress not only affects your psychology, but it also takes a toll on your body. When a person is stressed, their body begins to produce cortisol- the stress hormone. If you remain stressed for a long time, the overproduction of cortisol will result in premature skin wrinkling.
Dehydration
Another major cause of skin wrinkling is dehydration. As discussed above, collagen is a connective tissue in our skin, which mostly comprises of water. You might not know this, but prolonged dehydration causes collagen molecules to crack. When they crack, they begin to clump with one another. As a result, wrinkles start appearing in your skin.
Insufficient Nutrition
It’s a no-brainer that lack of nutrition affects all of parts of your body, and your skin is no exception. By depriving yourself of nutritious foods, you are taking strength and health away from your body. Eating too many processed foods won’t provide your skin with the nutrition it needs to stay healthy. Healthy foods like fish and green vegetables will allow your skin to maintain the youthful glow it deserves.
Smoking
Apart from a temporary buzz, there is no real health benefit of smoking. It reduces your stamina, increases the risk of heart diseases and cancer, and lowers your sex drive. Smoking is also a major cause of skin wrinkling. Excessive smoking tends to increase the number of free radicals in your body. When that happens, your skin starts aging and develops wrinkles.
Sun Exposure
Exposure to the sun is actually good for your health and provides you with the vitamins you need to stay healthy. The ultraviolet rays of the sun allow the formation of free radicals in your skin. Free radicals take their toll on the natural elastic fiber found in your skin. This results in skin wrinkles, and even cancer.
Now that we have discussed the causes of skin wrinkling, let’s take a look at some of the ways to avoid this issue.
Here are four ways to avoid skin wrinkling.
1. Give Up Smoking
If you are a smoker, this one may seem difficult at first. It’s not easy but you have to start somewhere. If you find it hard to quit, at least cut down on a few cigarettes daily. If possible, substitute smoking with nicotine patches, if prescribed by your doctor.
2. Eat a Balanced Diet
If you want to get rid of the free radicals in your skin, try to eat foods that are rich in antioxidants.
Some antioxidant-rich foods are mentioned below.
- Cherries
- Kidney beans
- Apples
- Plums
- Berries
- Fish
3. Keep Yourself Hydrated
To maintain the collagen tissues in your skin, make sure to stay hydrated. Try to drink at least two liters of water on a daily basis. If you don’t like drinking too much water, replace water with something as refreshing as lemonade or coconut water.
4. Get Sufficient Sleep
While you are asleep, your body starts to repair itself. During this time, your skin also rests and replenishes its strength. It is important to get at least eight hours of uninterrupted sleep every night. Before going to bed, make sure to apply a high-quality anti-wrinkle cream.
The aforementioned tips will help you keep your skin healthy and free of wrinkles. If you need professional assistance with skin care, PB Med Spa is here for you. For more information, visit our website or call now at 718-444-4468.