Ageing is a beautiful part of life, but whilst it is not quite possible as yet to turn back the clock, there is a lot that we can do to embrace it and slow down many of the most common signs associated with it.
A lot of what we associate with the ageing process is not as inevitable as we might expect, and other signs can emerge earlier or later than your chronological age might suggest.
People age at different rates, a 2019 study suggests that all of us have bursts of ageing at certain ages, and a wide range of lifestyle and environmental factors can affect our skin.
The latter, in particular, has a huge effect, and in combination with effective skincare routines and periodic in-clinic treatments, slowing down the most common signs of ageing is often more possible than you might expect.
Here are some simple steps you can take today.
Quit Smoking And Vaping
One of the easiest ways to improve your skin if you are a smoker is to quit, and the same is true to a much lesser extent for people who regularly vape.
Tobacco smoke contains a lot of different harmful chemicals, but the main issue is that it causes oxidative stress and induces the production of the collagen-destroying enzyme MMP-1.
Whilst plumper, softer skin with fewer wrinkles is not the biggest reason to quit smoking, the effects it can have on your skin’s long-term health are astonishing.
Vaping is nowhere near as bad, but it is still quite harmful on the skin, with the nicotine accelerating the rate at which skin ages and acts as a vasoconstrictor, which reduces blood flow to the skin, a major cause of blotchy, patchy skin and sunspots.
Whilst it is not always possible to quit outright, the more you reduce your exposure to harm, the healthier your skin will start to look.
Cut Down On Drinking
More people have signed up for initiatives such as Dry January than ever before and in combination with more people having either quit smoking or had never taken up the habit in the first place than at any other point in recorded history, it can have an incredible effect on your skin.
Alcohol leads to inflammation of skin tissue, causing redness, irritation and discomfort, as well as dehydration, which also should be avoided as much as possible.
Quitting completely is ideal, and many people are opting for a happy sober life, but as with anything else, reducing the amount of harm you are exposed to can be incredibly beneficial to your skin.
Limiting how much you drink, taking several days off between each day you drink and choosing clearer spirits can help the alcohol pass through your system and minimise its overall effects, as can drinking water between other drinks.
Keep Hydrated
Some of the most popular injectable skincare treatments are designed to help keep skin hydrated, and drinking water can help considerably in keeping your skin looking softer, smoother and less dry.
As well as this, try to avoid taking particularly hot showers or baths on a regular basis, minimise how much soap you use and avoid harsh exfoliants if you can help it.
Use Sun Protection Every Day
Even during winter and overcast days, it is possible for your skin to get exposed to UV radiation, so to avoid this either cover up, spend as much time in the shade as you can or apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30.
This is particularly true during hot summer days, as UV rays can speed up the rate at which your skin ages.
This is also true when sunbathing, using a tanning bed or any other form of tanning treatment that is not a self-tan or false tan.
Reduce Stress
One major cause of premature ageing is caused by stress, for the same reasons that it can cause hair to temporarily fall out, hives and rashes.
This is caused by the release of cortisol, a major stress hormone that can trigger inflammation, as well as encourage other habits which can harm your skin.
Mindfulness can help, as can a good night’s sleep and relaxation in general.
Moderate Exercise
Boosting blood circulation improves the transportation of nutrients to the and helps provide the skin with a healthy glow, as well as improving overall health in other ways such as by reducing the amount of stress that is affecting the body.
