Avoid these 5 skin care mistakes to prevent premature aging

Avoid these 5 skin care mistakes to prevent premature aging

The skin is one of the largest organs in the body, consisting of many layers stretching out a massive twenty square feet. From head to toe, billions of skin cells are being destroyed and created naturally as part of the body’s daily functions. But you may unknowingly make several cosmetic mistakes during the day and night that can trigger problems linked to premature aging. Here are the top five to avoid at all costs.

Not using sunscreen
That little dab of SPF15 and SPF30 protection is necessary if you live in tropical climates or places of extreme heat. Mainly because direct exposure to UV rays is cited as one of the main reasons for premature aging. Repeated exposure can lead to rough, scaly skin, excess pigmentation, and visible wrinkles that develop as the skin loses its hydration. In fact, experts recommend using sunscreen while going out, even in the colder months, as the snow and chilly weather can trap and reflect more sunlight, thus increasing exposure. It is better to use mineral-based sunscreens that contain active ingredients to counter the inflammation and oxidative stress caused by UV exposure. Additionally, a tinted moisturizer sunscreen can help the skin get a beautiful glow. Being lighter than full-coverage foundations, tiny amounts of tinted sunscreen can even out the skin tone. The multifunctional product also provides hydration with ingredients like aloe vera and hyaluronic acid while protecting the skin from sun damage. There are various tinted face and body moisturizers for dry, sensitive, and oily skin. Brands like bareMinerals, IT Cosmetics, and EltaMD develop these for different complexions. Another brand, Undefined, creates tinted face moisturizers with SPF 50 that are effective as sunscreens.

Using cosmetics without knowledge
Different types of cosmetic products are designed for different skin care purposes. Using or applying at the wrong time can have adverse skin problems. Also, you need to consider your skin type and assess its chemical composition before applying it daily. Experts recommend the patch test to try new products and see if the skin has any adverse reactions. It is better to switch to cosmetics that are free of artificial preservatives, parabens, metals, and even perfumes that can trigger an allergic reaction. If you have also recently gotten a tattoo, your skin will still be healing from the process of machine-inking. Experts suggest using saran wrap to avoid the skin directly touching any other surface while sleeping and advice using special antibacterial tattoo wipes to prevent a skin infection. Cleaning the area frequently and limiting exposure to common allergens or pollutants are also important steps for proper tattoo care at night.

Improper nutrition and lifestyle
Lack of proper nutrition and poor lifestyle choices are often cited as one of the major causes of skin problems. For example, an excess sugar intake can cause premature aging as skin cells begin to deteriorate due to active cell damage. Sugary foods and beverages can trigger the breakdown of collagen and elastin. Without these compounds, the skin loses its texture and quality resulting in fine lines and wrinkles forming prematurely. Also, lack of sleep is one of the most harmful and often undetected triggers of skin problems. Ever heard the term beauty sleep? Well, there is a scientific reason behind it. Skin cells are constantly shedding and being represented, and this process is at its peak when you are sleeping. Not getting adequate rest can slow down this process affecting the skin’s hydration and regeneration levels. Extended periods of sleeplessness can also lead to skin inflammation that causes various problems.

Makeup mistakes
Sleeping with makeup on is a cardinal sin. This action can trigger premature skin problems that lead to early aging. Also, simply wiping these layers off with wet tissues or face wipes will not help. Makeup left overnight can clog the pores and cause the skin to dry out. Improper pore care is one of the primary triggers of acne breakout as the oil, pus, and debris starts collecting under the skin. Simply covering these breakouts with more layers will only further cause the skin to breakout and scar. Multiple layers left overnight also increase the risk of oxidative damage to healthy skin cells. So, at all costs, always remove makeup and moisturize well before bed.

Forgetting about the lower neck and hands
Skin care is not limited to just the face. Many people forget that signs of aging can also show in the neck region and on the hands. Even neglecting the décolleté (lower neck and chest) region can unknowingly trigger spots of discoloration because of the inconsistent skincare routine. Pay attention to these areas, as you can easily miss these spots. Also, try and maintain consistency in the routine, as constantly switching products or changing habits can also wreak havoc on the skin’s natural ability to heal and restore cells.

Popular Reads

Here’s how you can get your allergies detected

Here’s how you can get your allergies detected

How many times have allergies caused you to sneeze every time you take a ride in the open air? Or rashes on coming in contact with a plant? Or swelling as a result of a peanut allergy? Sneezing, running noses, watery eyes, rashes, swelling all these reactions due to allergies can be quite distressing. Allergies are more common and can be caused by various things. The cause of allergies is still unknown, it could be genetic or just a singular development. However, they can be easily detected by just visiting your doctor and undergoing some tests. Read on to know more about what are allergies and how to detect them. What are allergies? The immune system is designed to fight any entrant in the body that it recognizes as foreign. However, at times, the immune system becomes over vigilant and starts fighting foreign entrants that are not harmful. Substances that cause the immune system to react this way are called “allergens”, and when you display symptoms of these interactions, you are diagnosed “allergic” to the substance. Allergens can include plants, grass, pollen, dust, food, animal dander among others. While symptoms like running nose, sneezing, watery eyes, rashes, itching, and others, are all attributed to allergic reactions.
5 frequently asked questions about Alzheimer’s disease

5 frequently asked questions about Alzheimer’s disease

A common form of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease is a debilitating and progressive disease that affects the brain and motor functions of the body. The disease progresses through stages. It begins to affect the regions of the brain that control language, thought, and memory. In most of the cases, it begins with a slight memory loss. In the final stages, Alzheimer’s disease leads to the loss of various abilities including motor skills, speech, and independent movement. Here are a few frequently asked questions about Alzheimer’s. What are the causes? Alzheimer’s disease does not have any definite cause. Research has been unable to conclude whether Alzheimer’s is developed by one cause or multiple ones. The exact cause of the ailment is not yet known. However, there are multiple factors that may increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease. One of the major causes is ageism. Also, a family history of Alzheimer’s is another major risk. This may lead to the inheritance of genes that cause this disease. Some other possible risk factors that can cause Alzheimer’s include high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, and high cholesterol. What are the symptoms? In most cases, the first warning sign of Alzheimer’s disease is a loss of cognitive ability.
Four important steps in anemia management

Four important steps in anemia management

Hemoglobin is a protein molecule in the red blood cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body. Its richness in iron gives blood its red color. Anemia is a condition where a person has low hemoglobin or red blood cell count. From an underlying disease to nutrient deficiencies, there are a lot of factors that contribute to the onset of this condition. There are many forms of anemia. Some of them include: Iron deficiency anemia -This is caused due to low iron levels in the blood. Most common causes of this type of anemia are heavy menstruation or internal bleeding. Vitamin deficiency anemia – This type of anemia is caused by the deficiency of vitamin C, B-12 or folate Aplastic anemia – Damaged stem cells in the bone marrow fail to produce enough red blood cells, leading to aplastic anemia. Sickle cell anemia – This is a condition characterized by the development of abnormal crescent-shaped red blood cells. Hemolytic anemia – This is a blood disorder caused due to premature death of red blood cells. Thalassemia – This is caused due to low amounts of hemoglobin in the blood. The blood disorders vary in duration and severity. Prompt diagnosis, and treatment are important because anemia could also be due to an underlying condition.