6 things you never thought can make your skin age

6 Things You Never Thought Can Make Your Skin Age.
External factors that cause premature aging and how to deal with them.

With time, the skin loses its elasticity, density and uniformity. It becomes thinner, dull and wrinkles and spots appear. Apart from this endogenous process that happens naturally in our body and cannot be reversed, there are also external factors related to the environment and our lifestyle that are responsible for the premature aging of our skin. Let’s take a look at them one by one:

Weather conditions

It is well-known that the sun has beneficial properties but that prolonged sun exposure can be bad for your health. In addition, the sun’s UV radiation is the main cause for photoaging as it destroys the connective tissue and leads to the forming of deep wrinkles and spots. For this reason, you should not stay in the sun for too long, especially during midday hours in summer, and make sure to use sunscreen, even in winter. Remember that UVA radiation can pass through glass. Also, the skin suffers under conditions of prolonged exposure to cold temperatures. It becomes thinner, rough and dry forming wrinkles. Therefore, it is best to avoid extended exposure to extreme conditions and make sure to keep your skin hydrated.

Smoking

We all know that smoking, even passive smoking, is responsible for a multitude of health problems. However, it is also responsible for premature aging since it reduces the blood flow and inhibits the transport of oxygen and nutrients to the skin, making it look dull, dry and pale, while at the same time it destroys the collagen and elastin of the skin leading to the appearance of wrinkles. Therefore, you have one more reason to stop this harmful habit.

Blue light

Blue light is part of the visible spectrum of the radiation emitted by the sun and is also produced by the screens of electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, computers and televisions. The excessive exposure of modern man to the blue light of electronic devices not only causes health problems and affects well-being but also leads to digital aging. Blue light penetrates the deep skin layers, forms free radicals and causes oxidative stress. Therefore, try to disconnect from technology as much as you can. Make sure to also enrich your diet with foods containing carotenoids that filter blue light, such as carrots and tomatoes, use special filters for your screens and take care of your skin with products that provide adequate protection and antioxidants.

Air pollution

The air pollution of modern cities has serious effects on the skin, as it contains tiny pollutants that produce free radicals leading to the premature appearance of spots, fine lines and wrinkles. In addition, the pollution particles block the skin’s pores and inhibit its proper function, causing it to lose its firmness and shine. However, daily cleaning of the skin in the morning and evening can suspend the impact of pollution. Even better, take regular small brakes away from the city and spend some hours or days in the fresh air of the countryside. It will revitalize not only your mind but also your skin. Pollutants can accumulate also in closed spaces without proper ventilation. Therefore, make sure to regularly refresh the air at home and at the office. Indoor plants can also help clean the atmosphere.

Bad eating habits

The excessive consumption of sugar, processed foods, fats and fried meals causes inflammations in the body that contribute to aging. If not consumed in moderation, alcohol can lead to an uneven skin tone and loss of firmness. Additionally, a low water intake can cause dryness and enhance the appearance of wrinkles. “Yo-yo dieting”, meaning the extensive and continuous loss and regain of weight, destroys the skin’s elasticity. A proper, balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, low-fat proteins, wholegrain products, vegetable fats and of course water can maintain the youthful appearance of the skin.