Healthy aging is possible with the right lifestyle, but it is important to understand which symptoms are “normal” and which are not.
These include sun damage to the skin, loss of muscle and stamina, loss of vision and hearing, and changes in sleep patterns, energy levels, and appetite.
This article will help you understand the signs of aging that you must not ignore and how some of the aging skin myths.
Reasons For Early Aging
Most signs of premature aging appear on the skin. If it occurs early, the cause is usually environmental or lifestyle factors.
- Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light and sun exposure can cause your skin to age faster than it naturally does.
- Sleeping less than 7 hours can cause your body’s cells to age faster.
- If you smoke, your skin might age as soon as possible.
- Drinking alcohol is another factor that furthers skin damage.
- An unhealthy diet and excessive sugar intake can also cause early aging.
- High levels of stress can also aggravate the skin aging issue in young people.
Signs Of Aging
Given below are some of the most important signs of aging that you must not ignore—
Wrinkles And Fine Lines
Some wrinkles may develop into deep crevices or furrows, especially around the eyes, mouth and neck. Choose anti aging products with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher.
Dry skin can shrink the thick skin cells, which can lead to the appearance of fine lines and early wrinkles.
Skin Dullness
One of the reasons why the aging process is scary is that it can damage your skin. When you’re young, it’s rich in collagen and elastin, two important proteins that maintain your skin’s structure, so your skin is firm and bright.
Unfortunately, as we age, the production of these proteins slows down and our skin lacks the collagen and elastin it used to have.
Also, the moisture level in the skin changes with age, which makes the skin dry. This, combined with overexposure to sunlight and free radical damage, can lead to dull, blotchy skin.
Dry Skin
The epidermis and dermis of the skin thin down and soften with age, and the skin loses mechanical strength. This occurs because the danger of skin disintegration is increased by the loss of fluid from the stratum corneum.
Older adults frequently experience dry skin, which can itch, bleed, and result in seborrheic dermatitis. Emollients should be applied to dry skin at least twice daily, ideally just after washing it. They should also be used at other times as needed.
Emollients are available as creams, ointments, and lotions, among other forms. Some people may have moderate irritation, redness, or dermatitis after using urea.
Uneven Skin Tone
As we age, melanin-synthesizing cells, called melanocytes, fall victim to excess sunlight, inflammation, free radicals, and hormonal changes. This causes the melanocytes to overproduce melanin, resulting in an uneven distribution throughout the skin.
The composition of three natural compounds normalizes melanin production and contributes to an even distribution of the epidermis so that the skin looks younger—
- Alpha-arbutin.
- Phyllanthus Emblica extract.
- Niacinamide.
Skin Aging Myths & Facts
The next generation of seniors is upending stereotypes about aging. A positive attitude towards aging is linked to longevity and the ability to recover from illness.
Here are some facts and Myths that relate to the signs of aging and their misinterpretation—
- Skin is more susceptible to UV damage as we age, and sun exposure in earlier years can make aging skin more vulnerable to further damage.
- Photofacial treatments target the pigments below the skin’s surface to reduce the most common signs of aging, such as discoloration, spots and age spots.
- Varicose veins are caused by poor blood circulation in the legs, causing redness, inflammation, swelling and sometimes pain.
- Androgens, a male hormone, stimulate the production of sebum in the sebaceous glands, making the dead skin sticky.
- Oily skin can tolerate dehydration, however, excess oil does not form a protective barrier against wrinkles.
- Facial yoga is popular as an anti-aging facial exercise for sagging skin and wrinkles. However, some experts say it can make sagging skin worse!
- The injections can temporarily prevent the signs of aging, but eventually, the wrinkles will disappear within a few months.
- In addition to aesthetic procedures that stimulate the skin’s collagen and elastin production, good skin and sun protection are essential for long-term results.
- Instead of adding a long daily facial yoga sequence, consider adding a facial massage to your serum or moisturizer.