Developing wrinkles as you age is normal, but you may not want to get them that fast. While it’s impossible to prevent wrinkles forever, you can slow down the aging process of your skin by simply getting rid of the habits that catalyze it in the first place.
Getting Botox treatment specials is one of the best ways to reduce or eliminate the appearance of wrinkles. But while alongside or before you have to take this procedure, it pays to start kicking bad habits that are causing or exaggerating the wrinkles on your skin, such as:
1. Frequent use of tanning beds
Ultraviolet exposure from any source, including tanning beds, can damage your skin. Tanning beds also use UVA lights that are proven to be carcinogenic. So, while you may be getting that perfect summer tan, you are accelerating the aging of your skin and increasing your risk for skin cancer at the same time.
That said, avoid or eliminate the use of tanning beds completely and protect your skin from sun exposure by using sunscreen, wearing protective clothing, and avoiding spending more time in the sun than you have to.
2. Excessive squinting
Constant squinting can lead to wrinkles or fine lines around your eyes. Hence, if you have an eyesight problem that causes you to squint, get corrective lenses right away. Similarly, make it a habit to wear sunglasses when going out during the day to avoid squinting under the sun’s brightness.
3. Sleeping on your face
While short-lived movements like rubbing your skin may not cause wrinkles, sleeping on your face for seven to eight hours a night can. If your face is pressed tightly against your pillow throughout the night, you may be inadvertently causing wrinkles or making the ones you already have even worse.
However, it’s difficult to avoid this habit because you’re not aware of your position while you’re sleeping. Nevertheless, you can try to coax your unconscious self into the right sleeping position by placing a hard object on the sides of your pillow so that you return to the face-up position when you flip onto your side in your sleep.
4. Eating poorly
Paying attention to what you eat becomes more and more important as you age. But aside from taking care of your overall health, eating a balanced diet will also help avoid the premature aging of your skin. Moreover, it can help prevent breakouts, which are more likely to happen with a diet rich in fat, sugar, and salt.
Eating poorly can also lead to being overweight or obese, which is another serious health problem in and of itself. So aside from skin problems, you may also increase your risk for diseases as well, such as diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure.
5. Smoking and drinking
Smoking is not only detrimental to your overall health, but it can also cause your skin to age faster. If you smoke, even occasionally, aim to stop as soon as possible. Seek professional help if you are having trouble with smoking cessation. It may take a lot of time before you can fully quit, but keep at it until you do.
Another bad habit for your skin is drinking excessive alcohol. While it may not be realistic to ban alcohol from your system for life, limiting your drinks is a great way to help delay skin aging, as well as prevent alcohol-related conditions such as heart disease and liver disease.
6. Not drinking enough water
Dehydration makes your skin more susceptible to accelerated aging and wrinkles. That said, pay attention to your water intake every day and aim to consume at least 8 to 10 glasses of water daily. Take note that you may need more if you exercise since you need to replace fluids lost through sweat.
You can also increase your water intake by eating fruits with high water content, drinking milk or fresh fruit juice, and eating more vegetables.
7. Skipping on moisturizing
Dry skin shrinks the plump cells in your skin, which can cause or exaggerate fine lines and wrinkles. To avoid this, keep your skin hydrated with regular application of moisturizer. Not only does moisturizing keep your skin looking young, but it also helps prevent other skin conditions such as acne, irritation, and a dull appearance.
Skin aging is a natural part of life, but there are a lot of ways you can delay the process for as long as possible, starting by avoiding the habits mentioned above. So, if you’re guilty of one or more of the things in this article, it’s high time that you kick those habits to the curb for younger and healthier skin.
