It’s never too early to preserve your “youth” capital. Cell ageing begins the day we are born. The fight against ageing must begin as early as possible, well before the first wrinkles appear. There are many causes of skin ageing and not everyone is the same.
There are two kinds of causes of skin ageing
The first are those that we suffer without being able to do anything about them. They are directly linked to genetic capital and heredity. This is known as “intrinsic” ageing. The second depends on us, our lifestyle and our environment. This is known as “extrinsic” ageing and we can act on these causes on a daily basis.
Pro-inflammatory foods (sugar and starch)
Pro-inflammatory foods, mainly sugar and starch, speed up the ageing process and the appearance of wrinkles. They cause a loss of skin radiance, dark circles and bags under the eyes, a loss of tone, an increase in wrinkles, the loss of facial contours and an increase in the size of skin pores. These foods also aggravate acne. They should therefore be eaten as an exception.
The sun
Too much sun exposure when young leads to premature ageing of the skin on the face, neck, décolleté and all over the body.
Il est important et à la portée de tous de se protéger de ce facteur de vieillissement. Il est conseillé de ne pas s’exposer directement au soleil mais sous un parasol, de porter un chapeau ou une casquette et des lunettes et d’éviter l’exposition aux heures où le soleil est le plus haut (entre 12h et 16h). Il est indispensable d’utiliser des crèmes solaires à fort indice de protection, même lorsque vous ne vous exposez pas. Le bronzage n’en sera que plus beau et plus durable.
Pollution
The polluted air of big cities “clogs” the skin and makes it look dull. It causes redness, blotches and tightness… It’s not just our lungs that suffer from air pollution, it’s our skin too. So it’s essential to protect it on a daily basis, using good quality products.
Tobacco
Apart from the general health damage we all know about, smoking prematurely ages skin cells. Tobacco produces numerous free radicals, causing the skin to become dull. It also causes skin dehydration. It becomes dry and lacklustre. What’s more, it considerably accelerates the formation of wrinkles and fine lines around the mouth.
Alcohol
Alcohol should be consumed in moderation, we are told often enough to be aware of this. Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to the body as a whole, but it also has a deleterious effect on the skin. Alcohol accelerates dehydration, causes cell damage, leads to the appearance of small blood vessels on the skin (couperose) which give the skin a red colour, and increases the “dilated pores” effect. All these factors make the skin more prone to wrinkles and fine lines and alter its quality.
Stress
Overwork, anxiety, emotional shocks, etc. also have a harmful effect on the skin. Stress is a destructive, pro-ageing and pro-inflammatory force. It causes hormonal changes and alters cell function in vital organs, including the skin. Stress causes the release of a hormone called cortisol, which, circulating in the blood in excessive quantities over long periods of time, is toxic. It reduces muscle mass and causes the skin to thin, leading to the premature appearance of wrinkles.
Weight loss
Major and/or sudden weight loss causes the skin to sag and the face to age considerably: the skin withers and the excess skin gives the impression of premature ageing. This is why long-term diets need to be medically monitored.
Lack of sleep
A good night’s sleep will give your skin a refreshed look. Adequate sleep is essential to avoid bags under the eyes and maintain ‘lively’ skin. In fact, getting enough sleep and having a good quality of sleep prevents the negative effects of cortisol, which can be elevated in times of stress. Growth hormone and youth hormone are released during sleep, along with another hormone called melatonin. These have a positive effect on the immune system and the skin. Sleep rebuilds energy reserves and regenerates the body.
Lack of physical exercise
Regular physical activity also improves skin quality, just as it improves muscle and bone quality. In particular, it increases the production of collagen, an essential element for strengthening the skin’s structure. Physical exercise increases blood circulation and gives the skin a healthy, radiant appearance.
In conclusion
A healthy, balanced lifestyle, a good diet and a good night’s sleep are essential factors in keeping skin looking young for as long as possible. A healthy lifestyle is just as important as the cosmetics used to help nature do its work.
If you would like the advice of a beauty specialist, we invite you to book an appointment now for a consultation with your Anti-Aging Medicine professional.
