Adjusting your lifestyle can help you remove wrinkles.
Dozens of studies have named the sun the No. 1 cause of wrinkles. One study even found that sun exposure was more important than heredity in determining wrinkles.
- If you must go out in the sun, ensure that you’re covered up: wear sunglasses, a hat, and at least SPF 30 sunscreen.
- Particularly avoid going out in the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when its rays are at their strongest.
2. Don’t smoke. If you do smoke, here’s another reason to quit: many studies have confirmed that cigarette smoke ages skin; it does this primarily by releasing an enzyme that breaks down collagen and elastin, which are important to keeping your skin looking young.
3. Avoid alcohol. Excess alcohol consumption can damage blood vessels in the skin. It can also harm the liver, which can cause wrinkles.
4. Drink enough water. When you’re dehydrated, your wrinkles can appear deeper. Staying well-hydrated will keep your skin looking healthy. If you’re unsure of how much water you should be drinking, divide your body weight (in pounds) in half: that’s how many ounces of water you should drink each day.
- A 150-pound woman should drink 75 ounces of water each day.
- If you exercise or live in a hot climate (i.e. if you sweat a lot), you’ll need to increase your water intake.
- A reliable way to tell if you’re getting enough water is by paying attention to your urine: if it’s bright yellow or has a strong smell, you’re likely not getting enough water.
5. Eat healthy, anti-inflammatory foods. Some doctors have linked inflammation to poor skin quality (including wrinkles) as well as diseases such as cancer and heart disease. Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables, raw nuts, whole grains, and lean proteins.
- Avoid foods that contain a lot of sugar — particularly processed foods.
6. Get enough antioxidants. Antioxidants such as vitamin E, C, A, and B are essential for healthy skin. To ensure that you get enough of these vitamins, eat 5 to 7 servings of fresh fruits and vegetables each day.
- Some recommendations in case you’re unsure of where to start: tomatoes, citrus, green leafy vegetables, and carrots.
- In addition to eating foods rich in vitamin C, using vitamin C as a topical agent can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles. The most potent form of topical vitamin C is L-ascorbic acid; search for this ingredient in face creams.
7. Get enough vitamin K. Some studies have linked vitamin K to improving skin elasticity. Load up on vitamin K with leafy green vegetables such as kale, spinach, and broccoli.
Advertisement
8. Get enough sleep. When we don’t get enough sleep, our bodies produce excess cortisol, which breaks down skin cells. When you get enough sleep, your body will produce more human growth hormone (HGH), which will help your skin look thicker and more elastic.
- The average adult needs between 7 and 9 hours of sleep each night. Teenagers need between 8.5 and 9.5 hours of sleep each night.
- When you do sleep, sleep on your back if possible. Sleeping on your back can help prevent wrinkles on your cheeks and chin if you’re a side sleeper, and on your forehead if you sleep on your stomach.
9. Reduce stress.Cortisol, which breaks down skin cells and promotes wrinkle formation, is the primary stress hormone. Beyond that, physical expressions of stress can also lead to deep facial wrinkles: frown lines around your lips and forehead, wrinkles between your eyebrows. Try these techniques for reducing stress:
- Meditate for a few minutes each day. Sit up straight on a chair or in a cross-legged position on the floor. Close your eyes and focus your attention on reciting a positive mantra — for example “I feel at peace” or “Breathe in love, breathe out fear”. Place one hand gently on your stomach to remind yourself to breathe deeply into it.
- Practise deep breathing. Sit straight with your eyes closed and your hand on your abdomen. Slowly inhale through your nose, imagining that you are inflating a balloon deep down in your stomach. Slowly exhale through your mouth, paying attention to how your body feels as the breath moves out of you.
- Do something nice for yourself. Light some candles and poor yourself a nice hot bath with some stress-reducing lavender oil. Go for a slow, mindful walk and take in the scenery around you. Watch 10 minutes of cute animal videos. Whatever makes you feel good, do it!
No comments