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Our skin and body naturally age as we get older, increasing lines, wrinkles, age spots, and redness. Unfortunately, there are a few things that can speed up this process. Since your skin is fragile and can damage easily, it’s wise to take precautions to avoid more serious signs of aging. Here are the five most common causes of skin damage.
1. Excess Sun Exposure
Nothing damages the skin more than excessive sun exposure. The ultraviolet rays from the sun break down the elasticity and collagen in your skin. Once these two things are removed, your skin will start to develop wrinkles and show age or brown spots.
Excessive sun exposure is also the primary cause of skin cancer. Wearing a strong sunscreen, hats, and protective sun clothing, as well as staying in the shade, should help prevent skin damage from the sun.
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2. Unhealthy Diet & Dehydration
Just like the rest of your body, eating a healthy diet is important to keep your skin glowing. Fruits and vegetables contain vitamins, specifically Vitamin C, which can help promote radiant skin and lessen visible signs of skin damage.
Staying hydrated is important, too. Think of your skin as “drinking” up the water that you put into your body every time you go to take a sip. And skin cells, like any other cell in the body, are made up of water. Without water, the organ or cell will not function at its best. If your skin is not getting enough water, dehydration will present itself by turning your skin dry and tight, and dry skin is more prone to wrinkling.
3. Cigarettes and Alcohol
Cigarettes and alcohol are the two most common vices, and also two of the worst for your skin.
Smoking cigarettes constricts your blood vessels, which causes your skin to get less oxygen and nutrients than needed. This lack of oxygen and nutrients leads to wrinkles and sagging skin. Also, the movement of continuously puffing or sucking on a cigarette puckers your lips, which eventually leads to deeper lines around your mouth, also known as smokers’ lines.
Drinking alcohol is also bad for the skin because it dehydrates the entire body, and as mentioned before, dehydrated skin is going to age much faster than skin that is properly nourished.
4. Repetitive Face Movement
It may be hard to notice or stop completely, but making the same expressions with your face can potentially lead to skin damage. Continued muscle movement in your face causes the muscles under the skin to contract, eventually loosening and showing lines.
When the same movements are repeated over time, like frowning or squinting from sunlight, or reading without glasses, then wrinkles and lines start to appear and become permanent. Some wrinkles or lines may be caused by positive expressions, such as “laugh lines” and it can be hard to go through life without smiling, so try your best to combat these with professional grade skincare.
Related Blog: Common Active Ingredients in Skincare Products
5. Chemical Irritants
There are several items found in nearly every house that can irritate the skin, including cleaning products and laundry detergent. Everyone’s skin is going to react differently when coming in contact with these chemical substances. Chemical irritants commonly damage the skin by causing redness, burning and dermatitis.
Learn More About Facial Rejuvenation Options Today!
Located in Timonium, serving the Baltimore area, the Advanced Center for Plastic Surgery offers a wide variety of non-surgical face & neck treatments, such as chemical peels, laser resurfacing treatments and professional-grade skincare products that are specifically designed for treating and preventing aging skin.
If your skin is damaged due to any of the above factors, or simply due to the aging process, then we can help you turn back the hands of time. Contact our office today to schedule your appointment or to simply learn more about our skin rejuvenation services.
Dr. Beverly A. Fischer is passionate about her role as a leading female plastic and cosmetic surgeon in Baltimore, Maryland and beyond. She believes that plastic surgery makes a positive, life-changing difference, whether you’re renewing your body, face, and skin or embarking on an entire gender transition.
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