Pinoy MD: Delaying premature wrinkles
With age comes wisdom… and probably a whole lot of wrinkles.
Sometimes, you can get an idea of how old someone is by looking at their face. More specifically, by the state of their skin.
As people age, it's normal for one to develop wrinkles--mostly around the eyes, the mouth area, and the forehead--because our skin loses both collagen and elastin over time.
In an episode of Pinoy MD, Dr. Meilyn Chua-Clemente of DARE Clinic said, "Ang skin kasi is parang rubberband na 'pag hinila mo ay bumabalik siya.
“But as we age, nababawasan na 'yung elasticity ng skin natin.”
The aging process can also be worsened by a variety of factors such as sun exposure, smoking, pollution, and other lifestyle habits.
Not to mention that as we get older, the skin tends to become thinner and drier because it doesn't receive the same moisture as it used to.
Wrinkles under the eye / Source: Oprah.com
So, what can you do to prevent wrinkles?
We're not gonna lie but genetics can “sometimes” play a role in how your skin ages over time. This phenomenon is called intrinsic aging, but let's discuss that some other time.
But even if your family has genes that make skin wrinkle easily, there are ways to get control over your skin and how well it ages.
Here are some tips to help you retain youthful skin for years to come:
1. Avoid smoking
Smoking causes early wrinkles / Source: Pulse Today
Did you know that premature aging is one of the many downsides of smoking?
Tobacco smoke damages collagen and elastin -- the primary fibers that give your skin its elasticity.
Smoking robs your skin of its moisture and causes premature wrinkles.
Dr. Chua-Clemente said, “If you're smoking, nababawasan 'yung ibang parts ng skin natin ng oxygen supply.
“Also may chemicals dun sa mismong smoke kasi hindi lang naman 'yung nicotine ang nandun. So, nakakadagdag siya na mag produce ng wrinkles.”
2. Protect yourself from the sun
Apply sunscreen even when its cloudy outside / Source: NBC News
How many times do we have to tell you to put sunscreen on your face even when it's cloudy outside?
It's a well-known fact that sun exposure can damage your skin, so why are you skipping on it?
To protect your skin from the sun's harmful ultraviolet rays, it is vital to apply an SPF of 30 or more every day, 30 minutes before leaving the house, and to be re-applied every two hours.
3. Drink lots of water
Drinking water / Source: Medical News Today
If there exists a fountain of youth, we're sure it's comprised of good old water.
Drinking water is very essential not only for your bodily functions but it can also keep your skin healthy, plump, and hydrated from the inside.
4. Moisturize
Choose the right moisturizer for your skin / Source: Allure
Moisturizers act like water for your face because it hydrates and nourishes your skin as it becomes drier over time.
Dr. Chua-Clemente suggested, “Ang pinakamagandang moisturizer natin is the one with peptides kasi may tightening effect or lifting effect ito.”
Peptides are strings of amino acids, which are the building blocks that make up the proteins in our body, including collagen and elastin fibers.
Don't know which is the right moisturizer for you? Maybe this can help you out.
Best moisturizers for different skin types
5. Eat vitamin-rich food
Berries are rich in anti-oxidants / Source: Everyday Health
You've heard the saying “You are what you eat,” and when it comes to skin, this is especially true.
Dermatologists suggest that eating fresh fruits and vegetables that are not only rich in water but also anti-oxidants and vitamins help improve the skin's elasticity and delay premature aging.
So the next time you want to eat a bag of chips, it might be better to switch it with fruits such as raspberries, strawberries, oranges, papaya, and tomatoes.
Wrinkles are inevitable when it comes to aging but there are steps you can take to slow their progress and prevent new ones from forming.
By changing your lifestyle and managing your stress levels, you're sure to keep your skin looking healthy and youthful for years to come.