What is Premature Ageing?
As you get on with years, your body slows down and take longer to complete its internal processes. This leaves room for signs of aging, such as wrinkles and fatigue, to take place.
These changes may not be welcomed when they happen earlier than expected, hence the term “premature” aging.
While it’s impossible to avoid these changes completely, there are ways to reduce the signs of aging in your body, especially if they’re happening before you’re ready to embrace them.
The ageing process is unique to each individual. Some signs that can raise flags for “premature” ageing if you experience them in your early 30’s are sun spots, hyperpigmentation, dry or itchy skin, wrinkles or sagging of the skin.
What causes premature aging?
There are a couple of different factors that have a direct effect on how quickly these signs appear on your body.
Smoking
The toxins in cigarette smoke expose your skin to oxidative stress. This causes dryness, wrinkles, and other signs of premature aging.
Sun exposure
Tanning beds and exposure to the sun penetrate your skin with UV rays. These rays damage the DNA in your skin cells, causing wrinkles.
Sleep habits
Sleep gives your body an opportunity to refresh and regenerate cells.
At least one small study has indicated that poor sleep quality is connected to increased signs of aging and a diminished skin barrier function.
Diet
Some research suggests that eating a diet high in sugar and refined carbohydrates can damage your skin over time.
Alcohol and caffeine intake
Drinking alcohol excessively dehydrates your body. Over time, this dehydration can cause your skin to sag and lose its shape.
Caffeine may have a similar effect, although there’s conflicting research about if daily coffee consumption causes wrinkles.
Environment
Pigment spots and wrinkles can be triggered or worsened by environmental pollutants. Since your skin comes into direct contact with the air around you, your skin barrier is being subjected to the toxins and pollutants in your daily environment.
Stress
A stressful lifestyle can trigger an inflammatory response in your body, as well as hurt your sleep habits. Stress hormones and inflammation can age your body faster.
Can it be reversed?
When it comes to slowing the signs you don’t like, it’s all about prevention and giving your cells a boost through products or lifestyle changes.
In some cases, taking care of your skin can allow for a healing process that restores some of your skin’s appearance and restores a bit of its structure.
If you’re concerned about the signs of aging — what’s normal, what’s not, and if there’s anything you can do differently — talk to a doctor. They can help you create a care plan that addresses your environment, lifestyle, and family history.
How to slow down signs of aging?
Here are some factors you can control wen it comes to slowing down signs of ageing:
Use sunscreen
Wearing sunscreen with at least SPF 30 each day may be the biggest thing you can do to prevent signs of premature aging.
Do not ignore your body
Don’t limit your moisturizing and skin-protecting regimen to just your face. Make sure to use sunscreen with at least 30 SPF and a deeply moisturising lotion, like Shae’s Honeycomb Healing Salve on the rest of your body, too.
Follow a cleansing routine before bed
Your face-washing habits can influence the way your skin appears.
Wash your face twice a day using warm water and a mild cleanser. Our Almond Facial Grains is a good natural alternative. Make sure your face is free of foundation and other residue before you go to bed.
Sleep well
Sleep is essential to all of your body’s organs, including your skin.
Following a sleep schedule will give your skin time to refresh and renew itself daily.
Eat healthy
A balanced diet ensures that you get all of the nutrition your body needs to produce healthy skin cells.
Stay hydrated
Dehydration can make wrinkles show up faster. Drink 8 cups of water per day to hydrate your body.
Exercise!
Daily exercise boosts your circulation, which keeps skin healthier. This might help your skin look younger.
Stop smoking
If you stop exposing your skin to the toxins in cigarette smoke, you’ll give your skin time to repair itself.
At least one older study found that participants who quit smoking noticed that their skin looked more youthful after quitting.
Practice stress management
Find a stress relief technique that works for you and make it a habit. Yoga, nature walks, and meditation are all proven healthy coping mechanisms.
