You may be surprised to learn that many of the bad habits you have are contributing to your facial wrinkles. As you get older, it’s essential to pay attention to how you treat your body to avoid looking older than your years. Here are some common habits that could be causing wrinkles on your face:
1. Smoking
Smoking is the most common cause of premature aging. It can lead to wrinkles, sagging skin, and even change your facial structure. If you smoke, stop immediately, and you will see a difference within a few weeks. Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin, which results in less oxygen and nutrients getting to your cells. This also causes more free radicals to form, damaging your skin cells and leading to accelerated aging. The more you smoke, the worse the damage will be.
2. Sun exposure
Many people don’t realize that sun exposure is one of the main culprits for premature aging. Sun exposure damages collagen and elastin, which are essential for smooth skin. When you’re in the sun, your skin produces more melanin — the pigment that gives your skin its color — which is great for blocking out UV rays. But if you’re exposed to too much UV light, it can cause damage to the collagen and elastin fibers in your skin, which leads to wrinkles. You can avoid sun damage by staying out of the sun and wearing sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30. A good rule of thumb is that if you can see your hand or face in the sunlight without squinting, it’s time to get out of it. And if you’re going outside with bare arms or legs, avoid tanning beds at all costs!
3. Lack of sleep
Sleep is one of the essential things for good health. But did you know it’s also key to avoiding wrinkles? It is a crucial part of the skin rejuvenation process. When you’re asleep, your body works hard to repair and restore itself. The production of collagen and elastin, two critical components of youthful skin, is at its peak during sleep. When you’re tired, it’s harder to give your skin the rest it needs to repair damage caused by exposure to UV light, pollution, and other environmental factors. Over time, this can lead to wrinkles and other signs such as saggy skin, dark circles, and puffy eyes. If you’re not getting enough sleep at night, try taking short naps during the day or setting an earlier bedtime so you can get back on track with your beauty regimen.
4. Stress
Stress is one of the biggest causes of facial wrinkles and can make you look older than you are by increasing the production of cortisol in your body. This hormone breaks down muscle tissue, causing the skin to sag. In addition, stress can make you puffier and more tired-looking. Different methods are available for reducing wrinkles, such as having an injection, non surgical face lift, and laser.
To reduce your stress levels, try these tips:
Find time each day to relax. Take a nap or meditate. If you can’t do this during work hours, do it at home when your kids are asleep or after they go to bed at night.
Avoid multitasking while at work or driving in traffic — it will help keep your mind free of stressful thoughts and give you more energy for other activities later in the day.
Try yoga or tai chi if you have time for an exercise program during the day!
5. Not drinking enough water
Water helps keep your skin hydrated and soft, which makes it less susceptible to wrinkling. Skin loses water every day. It’s essential for your skin, especially if you live in a dry climate. When the air is dry, your body tries to compensate by producing more oil on your skin. In fact, a person loses an average of 1 to 2 liters of water per day through perspiration, urine, and exhaled air. And if you’re not replacing that lost water with more H2O, your skin will dry out and wrinkle faster than normal. Drinking a lot of water throughout the day is essential, so try setting an alarm on your phone so you don’t forget!
You don’t need to feel too bad if your skin isn’t as smooth as a baby’s. Everyone has some miscellaneous faint wrinkles here and there, but if you want to do something about it, start by eliminating these common bad habits.
