It's not too late to reverse your worst habits (stopping smoking,
drinking, over-eating, and more) and immediately start living a happier,
healthier life.
1. Smoking
It is a known fact that smoking harms your health in many ways. But smoking can also accelerate the aging process of your skin.
The
harmful chemicals in cigarette smoke chronically deprive your skin
cells of oxygen, which can lead to pale, uneven coloring. It even
triggers the breakdown of collagen and can cause loose, saggy skin.
In fact, the whole process of smoking can cause deep wrinkles around the mouth.
A
2007 study published in the Journal of Dermatological Science reports
that smoking tobacco leads to accelerated skin aging. So, those who are
more concerned about their appearance should try to stop smoking.
Later,
a 2013 study published in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery
highlighted the facial changes caused by smoking between smoking and
nonsmoking identical twins.
The study notes a 5-year difference in smoking history can cause noticeable differences in facial aging in twins.
Whether you smoke or you spend time with a smoker, cigarette smoke is bad for your skin
2. Drinking in Excess
Alcohol is a natural diuretic,
so when you drink in excess it causes dehydration. Dehydration depletes
the natural moisture from your skin, which automatically makes you look
older than your age.
Excess alcohol intake causes a depletion of healthy nutrients in your body, particularly vitamins A and C. These antioxidant vitamins are essentail for maintaining vibrant and supple skin.
Plus, excessive alcohol intake is one of the triggers for rosacea outbreaks.
High alcohol intake is even associated with skin cancer.
A
2014 study published in Cancer Causes and Control reports that higher
current alcohol intake, higher lifetime alcohol intake and even a higher
preference for white wine or liquor were associated with increased risk
of melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer.
This does not mean that you cannot enjoy having a drink at all. Just drink in moderation or occasionally.
According
to the American Heart Association, men should limit themselves to 1 to 2
drinks a day, and women to 1 drink a day (1 drink is 12 ounces beer or 4
ounces of wine).
3. Holding Grudges
Forgiveness is
something most of us believe in, but we don’t always practice it.
Holding grudges against any person or situation is not good for your
health as well as appearance.
If you are not able to forgive, you
are adding more stress to your life, which boosts your level of the
hormone cortisol. Cortisol leads to weight gain, high blood pressure and
high blood sugar.
Stress even leads to more frowning, one of the key causes of wrinkles on the forehead.
A
2005 study published in the Journal of Behavioral Medicine highlighted
the link between lack of forgiveness and reduction in stress. Stress is a
common cause of a lot many health problems and also contributes to
aging.
Do not allow an old grudge to sap your youthfulness. Practice forgiveness and experience better mental and physical well-being.
4. Sun Exposure
No
matter how amazing the sun feels on your body, regular and prolonged
exposure to sunrays is one of the worst things you can do for your skin.
Long-term
exposure to harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun weakens your skin
cells and blood vessels, which causes a tanned, leathery-looking skin.
It even leads to pigmentation, reduced skin elasticity and a degradation
of skin texture.
Also, the risk of skin cancer is significantly higher due to sun exposure.
A
2013 study published in Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational
Dermatology states that UV exposure seems to be responsible for 80
percent of visible facial aging signs.
Freckles can turn into brown sun spots, the skin takes on a dry, leathery appearance, and wrinkles and sagging increase.
Before
going out in the sun, protect your skin by wear a hat, covering up with
clothing and using sunscreen that is broad-spectrum, SPF 30 (or
higher).
You should apply sunscreen throughout the year. If you
like a tanned look, apply a self-tanner rather than soaking up the
sunrays.
If you are worried about sun-damaged skin, consult a doctor to reduce existing damage.
5. Too Little Sleep
Just
one night of bad sleep can make you look and feel tired. It can even
lead to dark circles and bags under your eyes. Now, imagine what lack of
sleep for days can do to your skin appearance.
Sleep deprivation
can cause skin damage in several ways. First of all, it can increase
your cortisol level, which in turn can worsen inflammatory conditions.
Secondly, it can cause poor collagen formation, which leads to skin
aging.
In a 2013 study by the University Hospitals Case Medical
Center, physician-scientists found that sleep quality impacts skin
function and aging.
According to this study, poor sleepers had
increased signs of skin aging and slower recovery from several
environmental stressors, such as disruption of the skin barrier or UV
radiation.
Staying up late can be fun, but burning the midnight oil can make you look older as you age.
To enjoy beautiful and flawless skin, make sleep a priority and try to get between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night.
But
avoid sleeping too long on one side of your face, as it can cause
wrinkles and sleep lines. Also, use a satin pillow case to avoid fine
lines and wrinkles.
6. Feeding Your Sweet Tooth
A
sugar-packed diet can take a toll on your waistline and weight. It can
even accelerate the skin-aging process. It can make your skin dull and
wrinkled.
This happens due to the process known as “glycation”, in
which sugar attaches to and damages proteins like collagen and elastin.
These proteins are needed to keep skin smooth and flexible.
A 2009 study published in PLoS Genetics shows a connection between a rise in age-related diseases and over-consumption of sugar.
In
fact, drinking sugary sodas can lead to obesity, diabetes and heart
attacks. According to a 2014 study published in the American Journal of
Public Health, drinking sugary sodas may also speed up your body’s aging
process.
Removing sugar from your diet
is not easy if you have a sweet tooth. But you can definitely try to
avoid processed sugar and opt for natural fruits to satisfy your
cravings for sweets.
You can even opt for dark chocolate, which is good for your health due to its high antioxidant content.
