Premature aging can be experienced by young adults. This condition is not only due to increasing age, but also an unhealthy lifestyle and certain habits. To prevent the appearance of signs of premature aging, identify what these habits are.
As we age, the collagen and elastin tissue in the skin weakens. This reduces the elasticity of the facial skin so that various signs of premature aging appear.
Common signs of premature aging include:
- Wrinkles
- Fine lines
- black spot
- Enlarged facial pores
- Wrinkles at the outer corner of the eye
- Skin looks dull and feels dry
- Cheeks appear drooping or sagging
However, there are times when premature aging is also experienced by people who are still relatively young. This is generally influenced by daily habits that can accelerate the appearance of the signs of premature aging.
Some Habits That Can Trigger Premature Aging
The following are five habits that can accelerate skin aging and how to overcome them:
1. Doing activities outside the home without skin protection
Ultraviolet (UV) light can damage the elastic tissue in the skin. As a result, the skin becomes easily wrinkled prematurely. In addition to premature aging, sunlight also makes the skin dull and increases the risk of skin cancer.
Not only that, frequent exposure to the sun can also trigger the appearance of brown spots on the face, hands, and other areas of the body, so that you look older.
In order to avoid the dangers of the sun, you can use a sunscreen with an SPF level of at least 30 minutes before outdoor activities, especially at 11.00-15.00, whether the weather is hot or cloudy.
To protect your skin and the rest of your body, you can wear a wide-brimmed hat, umbrella, sunglasses, or loose clothing that covers your skin when you're outdoors.
2. Smoking
Besides having a bad impact on health, smoking can also trigger signs of premature aging. Various harmful chemicals contained in cigarettes, such as nicotine, tar, and carbon monoxide, can cause damage to body tissues and block blood circulation to the facial area.
This can accelerate the appearance of wrinkles and make the face look duller. Therefore, stop smoking from now on. If you have difficulty breaking this bad habit, try to consult a doctor.
3. Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages
Alcoholic beverages are proven to cause premature aging of the skin. This is not much different from the effects of smoking, namely the damage to skin tissue due to the effects of free radicals.
This effect will be more visible if you are also frequently exposed to UV rays, excessive stress, and do not maintain a good diet.
In addition, alcoholic beverages can also reduce levels of vitamin A, vitamin B3, and vitamin C, in the body. These three vitamins are antioxidants that play an important role in the regeneration process of skin cells.
Therefore, stop or limit the consumption of alcoholic beverages. In addition to preventing premature aging of the skin, stopping this bad habit also keeps you from the various negative effects that alcoholic beverages can cause.
4. Having an unhealthy diet
Diet also affects the condition of your skin. Some examples of foods that can trigger premature aging are refined carbohydrates, such as bread or pasta, and foods that contain too much sugar. Both types of food can damage the collagen in the skin.
You are also advised to limit the consumption of other types of food, such as fried foods, fast food, and fatty meats. Instead, increase the consumption of foods rich in antioxidants, such as nuts, grapes, berries, broccoli, carrots, green tea, and whole grains.
5. Often stay up late or sleep deprived
Lack of sleep is not only bad for health, but can also lead to premature aging. A study shows that people who have chronic sleep disorders are more at risk of developing skin disorders, including premature aging.
In addition to premature aging, the habit of lack of sleep can also make it difficult for you to concentrate so that your daily productivity is disrupted.
Aging is part of the body's natural process, but it should not be confused with premature aging. You can avoid premature aging and one way is to change bad habits. Thus, you can have healthy and youthful looking skin.
You can also keep your skin looking young by doing good skin care. One way is to use natural ingredients, such as rice water, aloe vera, or honey.
In addition to stopping the bad habits above, you can consult a doctor if you experience signs of premature aging. The doctor will perform an examination and determine antiaging treatments (anti aging) that suits your condition.