The Best Ways to Prevent Wrinkles
Some say that "with age comes wisdom", but unfortunately, wrinkles seem to be a byproduct of this process as well. Few enjoy the appearance of those fine lines on the forehead and around the eyes that signal that the years are beginning to pass by. But what can you do? Wrinkles are just a natural part of the process, right? Maybe - but maybe not. There are actually steps that you can take in your younger years that will help to prevent those fine lines from ever appearing in the first place. And while it is impossible to stop the aging process completely, you can do things to keep your skin looking as young as possible for as long as possible.
Protect your Skin
You have undoubtedly heard it all before, as it has become a mantra for dermatologists and other medical professionals - wear sunscreen every day. Regular, unprotected exposure to the sun is one of the first reasons for the aging process to take its toll on the skin and wrinkles to appear. The UV rays from the sun are one of the creators of free radicals in the environment that can damage cells and accelerate the aging process by causing wrinkles. Free radicals can also increase your risk of cancer and other diseases. Protecting yourself from these harmful UV rays can be as easy as smearing on a sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15 every single day.
Don't Smoke
Sure smoking raises your risk of lung cancer and emphysema. Did you know it can also cause the premature aging of your skin? It does so by narrowing the blood vessels on the surface of your skin, that depletes your epidermis of important nutrients and oxygen. Smoking can also damage collagen, which is the substance that gives your skin its elasticity. The result of this damage is sagging skin and the premature appearance of wrinkles on the face and other parts of the body. Just say no to nicotine.
Keep it Moist
Dry skin is another culprit in the appearance of wrinkles, because it causes otherwise plump skin cells to shrivel. The answer to this dilemma is as easy as applying moisturizer, but you must apply it consistently and frequently for it to have a positive effect. You can also stay hydrated by drinking at least eight glasses of water every day and using a humidifier in your home during the driest months of the year. These steps can also help to keep wrinkles at bay.
We may not be able to stop the aging process completely, but we may be able to slow it down enough to ensure that we can age gracefully. Time may pass, but it doesn't have to mean wrinkles.
