As I have said so many times in various posts which I have written, it is simply not possible to stop the natural aging process. There are no magic pills, supplements or beauty creams that are capable of stopping the clock. On the other hand, premature aging is a very different matter altogether. Admittedly, things like genetics can cause some people to age quicker than others. However, in most cases, premature aging of skin is self-inflicted.
When skin starts to age prematurely, it is almost always because of the sort of lifestyle we have chosen to live. The early arrival of lines and wrinkles tells us two things:
- We have failed to take adequate care of our bodies in the past.
- We need to act RIGHT NOW if we want to slow down the process.
Characteristics of Aging Skin
The most obvious signs which most of us are already aware of include things such as lines and wrinkles; sun spots and/or other darkish blemishes, and loose or sagging skin. As skin ages, it also tends to lose the youthful glow that it once had. Other characteristics might include illnesses such as skin cancer, pruritus, etc.
According to an article published on the US National Library of Medicine website, skin diseases such as skin cancer and pruritus are not necessarily caused solely by aging process, but they are more common in older people.
In case you are wondering, the term “pruritus” essentially means itchy. However, the itching can range from mild and infrequent, to severe and persistent. It can be caused by a wide range of things, including aging skin. In fact, pruritus is actually relatively common in older people, and is therefore often viewed as being one of the signs of aging skin.
Most people can treat themselves with a good quality moisturizer or one of many OTC medications. More often than not, the itching is accompanied by one or more of the following symptoms:
- Red and/or inflamed areas of skin
- Spots, blisters or bumps
- Cracked and/or dry patches of skin
- A scaly or leathery appearance
Pruritus can be caused by something as common as aging, an allergy, dermatitis, or even an insect bite. Unfortunately, it can also be caused by a number of serious illnesses, including certain cancers, kidney failure, liver disease, etc. According to the Mayo Clinic website, you should visit a physician if the itching lasts for more than two days, or if it is severe enough to distract from going about with your daily activities.
Reversing the Signs of Aging Skin
There are several different treatments which can significantly reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles, and in some cases, even eradicate them completely. The big problem is that treatments such as laser skin resurfacing are far from being cheap. Even chemical peels cost a lot more than what many of us can afford.
So, can you still reverse the signs of premature aging if you are unable to pay for any costly treatments? Yes you can, but not to the same extent. I’m not saying that we should give up trying, but if we cannot afford any of the expensive treatments, then our main focus should be on containment and prevention.
Once we have lines and wrinkles, the damage has already been done. Some good quality skin care products may help to reduce their appearance, but even the very best products are not going to eradicate them altogether. This is why I think we should focus more on what we can and should do from here on in. Okay, let us take a look at six things you need to do in order to prevent or slow down premature aging:
Invest In a Good Quality Anti Wrinkle Pillow
When I first heard about anti wrinkle pillows, I nearly burst out laughing. Fortunately, after doing some research, I decided it was time for me to order one, and I have never looked back. It took quite a bit of getting used to, but I would never want to be without one again. No matter how you look at it, these pillows are simply awesome.
If we sleep on our tummies or on our sides, our faces basically get squished into our pillows the entire night, which then results in sleep lines. When you are young, sleep lines vanish quite quickly after you have woken up. As we age, they tend to take longer and longer to disappear. These creases and folds are formed every single night, until eventually they become wrinkles that do not go away.
Sleep, or a lack thereof, can play a very real role in premature aging, and so can the way you sleep. Anti-wrinkle pillows basically force you to sleep on your back, and they are designed in such a way that the delicate skin on your face does not come into contact with anything while you are asleep. There is absolutely zero pressure, tension or stress on your facial skin.
They also have another notable benefit for anyone who likes to apply a skin care product on their skin prior to going to bed. Because there is nothing touching your face while you sleep, the cream or serum you have applied is left undisturbed and able to do its job.
I would also highly recommend these pillows to anyone that suffers from acne. I do not think I really need to elaborate as to why I would recommend these to acne sufferers.
If you decide to purchase one of these pillows, please do not be tempted to buy the cheapest one you can find. It is imperative that you purchase a good quality one that provides the necessary support in the areas where it counts. Also pay attention to the sort of materials used for making your preferred pillow.
Slow Down the Clock with Proper Nutrition
Do not worry, I am not about to try and lecture anyone about their diets. I just want to share a few tips with you that could contribute towards your battle against premature aging or ageing. I am not going to even recommend any major dietary changes, because I do not believe many people would make major changes only because I have recommended them.
I am only going to recommend two diet-related things which you should really consider. Not only can these have a huge impact on helping you to slow down or avoid premature aging, but they can do wonders for the rest of your body as well.
Antioxidants – One of the biggest, if not the biggest cause of aging, is a process known as oxidation. As their name implies, antioxidants work against oxidation. They do this by destroying free radicals which are responsible for oxidation. No matter how many antioxidants you consume, you will never be able to entirely prevent the oxidation process, but you can slow it down.
Fortunately, there are many delicious foods that are packed with antioxidants, as well as vitamin and minerals. Here are 10 fantastic natural antioxidant rich sources, in no particular order:
- Blue berries
- Red berries
- Dark colored grapes
- Nuts
- Beans
- Dark green leafy vegetables and broccoli
- Tea (preferably fresh green tea)
- Fish (preferably oily fish like salmon or mackerel)
- Whole grains
- All orange colored vegetables and sweet potatoes
You do not have to try and include all of the above-mentioned foods in your diet every day. Simply make a conscious effort to eat more of them, and on a more regular basis than you currently do.
Dietary Supplements – Let me begin by saying that I have taken dietary supplements for years already. I think supplements can be a big help, and especially in today’s world when many of us struggle to maintain healthy and balanced diets. Let us not forget that vitamin-D supplementation was more or less able to totally eradicate rickets, a widespread disease that once caused terrible bone deformities in children.
With the above having been said, I believe dietary supplements have a place and a time. Dietary supplements cannot replace proper foods. They are designed to “supplement” our diet rather than replace it.
I am also not a fan of what I call high-dose concentrated supplements. Let us take antioxidant supplements as an example. According to the NIH website (National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health), research was unable to show any notable benefits from taking high dose antioxidant supplements.
Furthermore, high doses of certain antioxidants can cause serious problems. For example, high doses of beta-carotene supplementation may increase the risk of lung cancer among people who smoke. Likewise, high doses of vitamin-E supplementation may increase the risk of suffering from a particular type of stroke, and it may also increase the risk of developing prostate cancer.
In my personal opinion, if you want to add dietary supplements to your arsenal of tools to fight premature aging, you should look for good quality supplements that contains a blend of ingredients that help to supplement a variety of your dietary needs. I certainly would not recommend supplements that contain nothing other than a bunch of antioxidants.
Include Some Physical Exercise in Your Weekly Routine
I am sure many people who exercise regularly and know me personally would laugh if I told them I exercise every week, but actually I do. I may not do as much as what many others do, or even as much as I should, but I do make a point of doing some exercise at least thrice a week. I feel better since I started doing this, and I am convinced it has also led to me having a better complexion and an overall healthier appearance.
Even mild exercise increases blood flow and oxygen levels enough to have a positive effect on virtually every part of your body. Do not forget, premature aging does not only make you look older on the outside. It also affects you on the inside, and can cause any number of illnesses, including heart attacks, strokes, etc.
Doing some exercise, even if only once or twice a week, can improve your overall health considerably. And, if you are only concerned about the lines and wrinkles which have started appearing on your face, then do not forget that high levels of stress can accelerate premature aging. Virtually all forms of exercise can be really effective stress relievers. Find out more about the undeniable link between aging and exercise here.
Choose a Robust and All Natural Skin Care Range
The skin care products which you choose to use on your skin can make a really big difference when it comes to premature aging of the skin. Personally, I would recommend staying as far away as you possibly can from products that are laced with chemicals. These days, there is no longer any real need to include synthetic chemicals in skin care products.
Find a good product range that consists of only all-natural creams, lotions, serums, etc. Many people have this notion that all-natural skin care products are way more costly, but they need not be. Of course, many of the big and famous brands charge more for their all-natural ranges, but that is only because they are exploiting the “all-natural” trend.
The big brand names also have to try and recoup all the millions or billions of dollars that they spend on advertising campaigns. Believe me, there are some excellent all-natural skin care products which are very affordable.
What Are Anti Aging Doctors
An “anti-aging” doctor is a physician who has decided to specialize in what has become known as Anti-Aging medicine. Their primary aim is to prevent health problems caused by both premature aging and normal aging. They also specialize in trying to cure or reverse age related illnesses if it is already too late to try and prevent them.
I have an immense amount of respect for the medical community, but the field of Anti-Aging medicine has become very lucrative in recent years. Unfortunately, this seems to have attracted some doctors who are more interested in your money than they are in your health. If you ever decide that you want to see an Anti-Aging doctor, be sure to do ample research beforehand.
Well, that brings me to the end of this post, and I sincerely hope that you have found it entertaining and informative as well. I write and add new posts and product reviews regularly, so be sure to visit again soon if you have enjoyed reading this one.
