Tips to Prevent the Look of Premature Aging
We all want to age as gracefully as possible, but some of us are willing to put in a little more effort to do so. If keeping your skin as youthful and vibrant as possible is a priority for you, Ultimate Image Cosmetic Medical Center is here to help. With a variety of services and treatments to address all your skin needs from head to toe, we can help you fight the early signs of aging without breaking a sweat. Want to know what you can do at home to keep fine lines, wrinkles, loose skin, and age spots at bay? Here are our top tips for preventing premature aging and keeping your radiant glow:
1. Protect Your Skin from the Sun
Sun damage doesn’t just cause signs of premature aging…it can also contribute to the formation of skin cancer. Wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher during any sun exposure. If you’re in the sun for more than two hours, reapply the sunscreen to any exposed areas. By blocking the sun’s UVA and UVB rays, you can prevent wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots before they start.
2. Drink Enough Water
Water is a lifeline for your skin, keeping skin cells healthy and functioning properly. Without adequate hydration, our skin loses its supple texture and becomes loose, pruny, and dry. Drink enough water every day to supply your skin, which is your body’s largest organ, with the power it needs to protect your internal organs from the outside world and to flush out any toxins that do make their way in. If you’re not sure how much water you should be drinking, simply divide your body weight in pounds by two, then drink that many ounces of water each day.
3. Eat a Healthy Diet
There’s a reason they say “You are what you eat”. What we put in our bodies each day is so important for our health and how we look and feel. Diets high in fruits, veggies, lean proteins, and healthy fats have been proven to give our bodies the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients we need to function properly and repair daily wear and tear. Avoid sweets and highly processed foods, as these have been shown to compromise cellular function and may even contribute to signs of premature aging.
4. Quit Smoking
As if you needed another reason to quit, smoking takes a toll on your entire body, including your skin. Smokers quickly lose skin elasticity and develop fine lines and wrinkles, especially around the mouth. This coupled with the dingy yellow tint that the skin of many smokers takes on should be enough to make you throw that pack of cigarettes directly into the trash.
5. Get Enough Sleep
Bet you didn’t even know that you were battling the signs of aging in your sleep, did you? Sleep is the time when our skin repairs and rejuvenates, so getting enough sleep is a top priority for anyone obsessed with skin health. Catch at least eight hours of zzz’s every night to give your body time to heal itself from within, including repairing early signs of aging. That’s because blood flow to damaged cells and tissues increases while we sleep, supercharging the repair process.
6. Reduce Stress
Stress is a silent killer, taking a huge toll on so many of our body systems, and the skin is no exception. High stress compromises the body’s ability to heal itself, meaning it won’t be able to repair those dark spots or fine lines as efficiently as it should. This increases the chance that these signs of aging stick around permanently or require more intensive treatment to correct. If you think stress is causing your skin to look dull and drab, try some focused stretching, yoga, or meditation. If stress is having a more profound effect on your life or health, consider seeing a qualified therapist.
7. Regular Skincare Routine
We are constantly sloughing off old skin cells and replacing them with new ones, but what happens if some of those old cells get clumped up on our skin’s surface? You’ll probably start noticing some texture changes, or maybe that your skin doesn’t want to absorb serums or moisturizers like it used to. This means your skin isn’t getting the proper hydration or nutrition, which will inevitably lead to premature aging. The simple fix? Find your dream skincare routine and STICK TO IT! We’re all guilty of skipping a night or two washing our face, but even these occasional slip-ups can have a big effect on our skin health. You should be cleansing, exfoliating, masking, and moisturizing on a strict schedule to keep your skin balanced and looking its best. If you’re unsure where to find high-quality skincare products, Ultimate Image carries a range of medical-grade skincare perfect for all skin types, textures, and concerns.
8. Consider Professional Skin Treatments
Finally, we suggest exploring some of our minimally or non-invasive skincare treatments to blast away the signs of premature aging. Microneedling, chemical peels, laser treatments, and even dermal fillers can help combat the signs of aging while leaving your skin glowing and fresh.
Call Ultimate Image for Healthier Skin Today
If you’re in the Tampa Bay area and want personalized advice and treatment for your skin concerns, look no further than Ultimate Image Cosmetic Medical Center. Our wide range of cosmetic services will blast through the signs of premature aging and give you the radiant, healthy appearance you’ve always wanted. Just give us a call at 727-799-7000 or contact us online to schedule a consultation today!