When you look in the mirror, do you think, "Oh, my face is wrinkled, I don't look as young as I used to"? This is a problem that we all face as we age. Our skin is like a book that tells a story. The life we live, our habits, the things we eat and drink, all of this is recorded on our skin. But don't worry, although we can't stop aging, there are many things we can do to keep our skin healthy and fresh. Let's talk about it today.
Why does our skin really age?
There are several reasons for this. Simply put, the reasons for our aging can be found in two main groups.
One is natural aging . This is something we cannot control. It is determined by our genes (heredity).
The other is our lifestyle and environmental factors . This is something we can largely control. These include:
- Sun exposure: This is the main and biggest cause of skin aging.
- Smoking: When we smoke, our bodies produce something called "free radicals." These damage our skin cells and are a major cause of premature wrinkles.
- Stress: Excessive stress is not good for the skin at all.
- Our diet: Not eating nutritious food.
- Obesity.
- Daily facial expressions .
- Sleeping position.
All of these things together determine the appearance of our skin.
What changes are visible in the skin with age?
As we age, several changes occur in the superficial layers of our skin. You may have already experienced some of these. Let's take a look at what these changes are and why they happen.
| The change that is happening | Simply put, what is it? |
|---|---|
| Rough skin | The skin becomes dry and rough, losing its previous smoothness. |
| Sagging skin | The network of elastic fibers called elastin in the skin weakens. This causes the skin to lose its elasticity and begin to sag. |
| Making the skin transparent | This happens because the outermost layer of the skin, the epidermis, becomes thinner. Sometimes, even the blood vessels underneath become barely visible. |
| Skin that bruises easily | The skin is very delicate because the junction between the epidermis and the dermis is flat. It can be easily scratched by even the slightest touch. |
| Bruising easily | Due to the thinning of the walls of blood vessels, they can easily burst with even the slightest pressure, causing bruises and bruises. |
| Small bumps or spots | As you age, you may develop benign tumors or spots on your skin. These are not cancer, but if you notice anything new, it's a good idea to see a doctor. |
How can sunlight be our skin's biggest enemy?
As we've said before, the biggest factor in skin aging is sunlight, especially the sun's ultraviolet (UV) light.
Think about it, the elastin in our skin is like a rubber band. It's what gives the skin its elasticity and youthful appearance. When exposed to sunlight for a long time, these UV rays gradually break down and destroy those elastin fibers.
The result? The skin sags, wrinkles form, loses its ability to spring back when stretched, and takes longer to heal when injured .
Sun exposure when you're young may not make much of a difference, but the effects start to show as you get older. So it's never too late to start protecting yourself from the sun today.
- Use a good sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher every time you go outside.
- Wear long-sleeved clothing, pants, wide-brimmed hats, and sunglasses as much as possible.
Let's look at other factors that affect skin aging.
In addition to sunlight, several other factors affect the appearance of our skin.
Gravity and facial expressions
When our skin loses elasticity, gravity causes our eyebrows and eyelids to droop. Sagging skin under the cheeks and chin can cause a "double chin." Wrinkles, which are caused by facial expressions like laughing and frowning, become permanent in our skin after the age of 30 or 40.
Sleeping position
The way you sleep can also contribute to wrinkles. Sleeping on your side, especially with your face pressed against the pillow, can cause wrinkles (sleep creases) to form on the sides of your forehead and cheeks. Sleeping on your side can help reduce the appearance of these wrinkles.
Dry and itchy skin
Dry and itchy skin is very common as we age. The main reasons for this are the decrease in the activity of the oil glands in our skin and the dry air inside the house. Frequent use of soap and frequent bathing in hot water can make this condition worse.
The most important thing is, if your skin is extremely dry and itchy , and it's interfering with your sleep, you should definitely see your doctor , because sometimes it can be a symptom of another condition.
Take-Home Message
- The main enemy that ages the skin quickly is the sun . Make it a habit to use sunscreen every day.
- Avoid smoking . It accelerates the formation of wrinkles on the skin.
- Keep your skin moisturized , especially as it is common for skin to become dry as you age.
- Eat a nutritious diet, drink plenty of water, and get enough sleep.
- If you notice anything new, unusual on your skin, such as a mole, bump, or severe itching, do not ignore it and consult your doctor immediately for advice.
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