The appearance of fine lines on our face is usually an unwelcome sight. While some lines may help us look wise and add character to our face, too many make us look older than we feel. Although wrinkles are a natural part of aging, due to skin thinning and loss of elasticity, that doesn’t mean there aren’t precautions we can take to minimize the effect.
Wrinkles are caused as a result of facial expressions, aging, sun damage, smoking, dehydration, some medications, and a number of other factors. A person’s genetic makeup also influences the amount of wrinkles, and when and where wrinkles start appearing.
So how can you prevent or reduce the amount of wrinkles?
Stay out of the sun. Sun is the number one contributor of wrinkles and skin cancer. Wear sunscreen daily, even in the winter months and on cloudy days.
Get your zzzs. When you don’t get enough sleep, the body produces excess cortisol, a hormone that breaks down skin cells. When you get enough sleep, your body produces HGH (Human Growth Hormone), which helps keeps your skin thick and healthy.
Eat a healthy diet. Good nutrition equals healthy skin. Natural ingredients in whole foods help increase cell turnover and boost collagen, while foods loaded down in sugar can damage collagen. For healthier skin, make sure you diet includes: fish high in fatty acids like salmon that nourish skin and keep it plump, soy which can improve skin’s structure and firmness.
Load up on antioxidants. Green and black teas are full of antioxidants with protective compounds that help prevent the breakdown of collagen. Most people don’t know that beans like red, kidney, pinto and black beans are also high in antioxidants. Also try raspberries, blueberries, black berries, cranberries, strawberries, apples and pecans.
Stay hydrated. Drinking 6-8 glasses of water a day helps skin keep its moisture and elasticity. Water also flushes out harmful toxins in your body that can cause skin problems.
In addition to these natural methods of taking care of your skin, there are many non-invasive, painless wrinkle treatments and creams available to erase the signs of aging. One of our favorites at Blue Sky MD is our Exilis treatment which can reduce fine lines and firm skin. Deep furrows in the skin require more aggressive techniques like fillers or injections. If you’re interested in trying Exilis, call our Asheville or Hendersonville offices today to take advantage of our Exilis Special during the month of January!
Blue Sky MD offers a variety of advanced medical-grade skin care treatments, state of the art body contouring, and non-invasive laser medical enhancements to keep you looking and feeling your best. Contact us today to learn more.