Take charge of the ageing process

Anti-ageing has been a beauty buzzword for decades, with some turning to extreme measures to tackle premature ageing.

Before you turn to the scalpel, find out what external lifestyle factors could be causing your skin to age prematurely, and more importantly – what you can do about it.

Smoking

Smoking restricts the flow of oxygen to the skin by as much as 30% which leads to the breakdown of collagen. Collagen helps our skin retain its elasticity, so when this breaks down, your skin is more likely to sag and wrinkle.

What you can do about it

We hate to sound like captain obvious here, but quitting smoking is the only way to avoid this. Don’t hesitate to visit your doctor to find out what support you can get while you quit, your body and your skin will thank you for it.

Sun damage

Experts agree that as well as increasing your risk of developing skin cancer, too much exposure to the sun can cause your skin to age prematurely.

What you can do about it

Avoid over-sunning yourself on holiday and remember – the sun can damage you here in the UK too! Always use a sun cream that contains an SPF with both UVA and UVB protection and stay in the shade when the sun is at its hottest (usually 12:00 – 4:00PM).

Running

The motion of running can cause the skin to be pulled from certain facial muscles, increasing the chance of sagging.

What you can do about it

Running is a fantastic way to stay healthy, so there’s certainly no need to stop. Instead look to mix up your running routine with other exercises like spinning or strength-based workouts. You should also bolster your skincare regime with targeted products; we love Kiehl’s Powerful Wrinkle Reducing Cream (£42).

Sugar

Too much sugar in your diet speeds up the breakdown of collagen. This happens because of a process called glycosylation, which speeds up the degradation of collagen and elastin.

What you can do about it

Look at your diet and cut down on the amount of sugar you eat. A good way to do this is to avoid any foods that list sugar as one of the top three ingredients. Eating plenty of nutrient-rich foods instead will support collagen production and help counteract the ageing process.

To find out how a dermatologist may be able to help you avoid premature ageing, please read our fact-sheet on dermatology.

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