Your body’s physical appearance is affected by many different factors and elements. Premature aging is one of the things that can make your skin and body look older and less healthy at an earlier age than normal. Here are some signs, symptoms, and ways to prevent premature aging.
Signs of Premature Aging
As we grow older, we experience common signs of aging in our physical appearance. However, premature aging is when these signs show up a little earlier than expected. Experts generally consider these signs “premature” if you notice them before the age of 35. Some of the most common signs of premature aging include:
- Sun spots, age spots, liver spots, hyperpigmentation
- Wrinkles
- Sagging skin
- Hair loss
- Dry skin
- Gaunt face and hands
Causes of Premature Aging
As mentioned above, premature aging is when you start to notice signs of aging in your physical appearance before the age of 35. There are many elements and factors that can influence and increase the look of premature aging. Some of these factors are related to an individual’s environment, lifestyle, and genetics. Some examples of these causes include:
Sun Exposure
Exposure to the sun can have an impact on your skin in many different ways. Not only can too much sun exposure put you at risk of skin cancers, but it can also cause signs of premature aging. The powerful ultraviolet light rays from the sun can damage your skin cells, causing things like sun spots to appear on your face, arms, and hands.
Smoking
Smoking is a lifestyle choice that can greatly affect your health and speed up the process of aging prematurely. There are many harmful toxins in nicotine and cigarettes that alter and negatively impact your body’s cells. These toxins can break down your skin’s collagen and elastic fibers, causing wrinkles, sagging, and a gaunt physical appearance.
Unhealthy Diet
The foods that you choose to eat can also have an effect on the onset of premature aging. Eating foods that are high in sugar and processed carbohydrates can be damaging to your skin’s collagen, causing the skin to wrinkle and sag. Trans fat can also cause inflammation, which leads to premature aging.
Stress
Stress is one of the biggest factors that can negatively affect your health in many ways, including premature aging. When you experience stress, your brain produces cortisol, which is a stress hormone. Cortisol then pumps through the body and can block substances that are important for keeping your skin looking youthful. These substances are collagen and hyaluronan synthase, and when cortisol blocks them, it can cause wrinkles and skin sagging.
Lack of Sleep
Sleep is when your body recharges, grows, and heals to keep you looking and feeling at your healthiest. If you are not getting an appropriate amount of sleep, it can cause signs of premature aging, among other things. Sleep deprivation and lack of quality sleep correlate to a reduction in skin health and can speed the skin’s aging process.
Alcohol
Alcohol consumption is yet another lifestyle choice that can influence how your appearance ages prematurely. Firstly, alcohol dehydrates your body and your skin, which impacts elasticity and can cause sagging and the appearance of aging. Alcohol is also known to increase your body’s stress hormones, such as cortisol, which also play a significant role in the body’s aging process.
Steps To Prevent Premature Aging
Once you know the causes and signs of premature aging, you can begin to take preventative steps to avoid further premature aging to your skin and body. Taking the appropriate steps and measures to live the healthiest life possible will help you to avoid premature aging. The more steps you take, the more likely you are to look healthier and younger for longer.
Limit Sun Exposure
The first step you can take to avoid signs of premature aging is to limit sun exposure. You want to avoid spending too much time in direct sunlight. And if you happen to be in the sun for a prolonged period of time, you should always use a strong SPF to protect your skin from the harsh UV rays of the sun.
Stop Smoking
The second step you can take to limit the premature aging process is to stop smoking. If you are a smoker, there are a plethora of health reasons that you should quit, and avoiding early aging is one of them. If you are able to wean yourself off nicotine and cigarettes, your skin will be healthier and have more elasticity to stay looking youthful for longer.
Eat Healthily
Eating healthy is another preventative step you can take to combat signs of premature aging. Avoid foods that are high in sugar, trans fat, and processed carbohydrates. Instead, fill your diet with healthy foods like fruits and vegetables that contain enough nutrients to help your skin produce the necessary collagen for younger-looking skin.
Manage Stress
Managing stress is also a positive change that you can make to live a healthier life and avoid aging prematurely. You can manage your stress with helpful breathing techniques, meditation, relaxation, exercise, hobbies, and more. The better you are able to manage and control your stress, the lower your cortisol levels will be, allowing your body to look and feel younger and healthier.
Get Enough Sleep
Another important step that you should take to avoid premature aging is to get enough sleep. When you get the suggested six to eight hours of sleep every night, your body has time to heal, recharge, grow, and rest. Quality sleep is imperative for living a healthy, well-balanced life and avoiding any unnecessary signs of aging early.
Limit Alcohol
Limiting your alcohol intake is also a way that you can prevent signs of early aging. Alcohol has many detrimental effects on your health, so limiting your consumption of it will benefit you significantly. Instead of drinking alcohol, drink water or other healthy beverages that hydrate your body. The more hydrated your body is, the younger your skin will appear.
Now that you’ve reviewed the signs, symptoms, and preventative steps for premature aging, you can take the necessary measures to live a healthier life and experience younger-looking skin for longer. Max Green Alchemy offers an effective selection of natural skin products that can help to reduce the appearance of premature aging.
