Biological Aging

We’ve already brought up biological aging and the genetic changes that occur naturally throughout the whole body. But, these modifications are, in fact, strongly related to the reduction of skin cell function and the compositional changes of collagen, the most abundant protein in your body, which strengthens your bones and provides your skin with structure. The alteration of collagen is associated with bone and cartilage deterioration, respiratory malfunctions, skin aging, and wrinkling. 

Collagen production decreases from around age 25, and even if at the beginning it’s unnoticeable, one day, you will look in the mirror and see your first wrinkles. Completely natural and normal!

Unless we discover a magic youth elixir, there is nothing we can do to stop this process. We can, however, change the way our wrinkles evolve by understanding mechanical aging and environmental factors. 

Mechanical Aging 

Mechanical aging refers to all wrinkle-creating behaviors, such as repeated muscle movements. Yes, your daily facial movements create lines and wrinkles over time. 

Now, we are not telling you to stop smiling, but there are some movements you can and should avoid. Squinting, for instance, leads to deeper wrinkles and loss of skin elasticity. Resting your chin or cheek in your hand, using a straw when drinking, and, not to mention, smoking can all make your muscles stronger and wrinkles deeper. 

The good news is that once you know how mechanical aging works, you can reduce its impact by giving up unhealthy practices. To avoid squinting when working or doing your regular house chores, for instance, you can wear Face Smoothing Patches. They are easy to wear, comfortable, and they work miracles. 

You can also wear them at night. This way, you can forget about the annoying lines caused by pressing your face against your pillow. And, if you are a side slipper, you might also want to wear Chest Pads to avoid developing wrinkles on your chest.

External Factors and Environmental Stress

The third category of aging is directly related to external factors. Yes, environmental stress is more damaging than you can imagine, and we are not only referring to UV radiation which is the most discussed topic. Weather extremes and pollution, food intake and dehydration, all bring free radical damage to the skin. Unfortunately, these free radicals exist everywhere in our environment. 

To understand their effect better, compare your skin with a fruit you leave on the counter for a long time. It will turn brown, and that is because of oxidation or deterioration caused by free radicals. In the same way, your skin will suffer from premature aging. The good news is we can help protect our skin from these external stressors. 

Let’s take the biggest culprit for wrinkles, sun exposure, as an example. Both UVA and UVB rays can lead to premature aging and wrinkles. But we can avoid this by staying out of the sun or using sunscreen, protective clothes, hats, or sunglasses. 

But there is more! Insomnia is also a big issue. Lack of sleep alters the pH of your skin, which loses the ability to stay hydrated. Not to mention that during your sleep, toxins are flushed from the body. So, to have a healthy lifestyle and beautiful skin, make sure you rest for 6-8 every night. There’s a reason why it’s called beauty sleep!

Stress, food, and water intake are also aspects you have to consider when deciding to take good care of your skin. Stress increases cortisol levels, reducing your skin’s ability to stay hydrated. Stress also elevates blood sugar, damaging the collagen and elastin fibers in your skin. The best way to overcome this is by finding ways to relax, whether it’s exercising, walks in the park, hikes, or hanging out with your favorite people. 

Hydration is also important as lack of water decreases cellular function and the skin’s immunity. While using high-quality products and moisturizing creams is a great way to keep your skin healthy, drinking plenty of water should also be on your must-do list. 

And never underestimate the power of food! Having a healthy diet rich in natural products and lacking highly processed items is crucial. Sugar, for example, is known for causing weight gain, especially in your belly, but it also ages your skin. It weakens collagen and elastin and will lead to the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Sure, you can indulge in a sweet treat once in a while, but don’t make this a habit!

As you can see, talking about external factors and free radicals is scary. You can, however, keep your skin safe, but only if you are ready to make an effort and change some of these harmful behaviors.