12 things that are aging you I.

 

Now you would probably said- how can you being worried about that, when you are not even 17 yet!?! Honestly, I think now it’s the best time to start to thinking about that, and get to know things that will make you look even older in less than 10 years !

Though we've never met anyone who yearns for a stress-filled day, some people do wear their stress like a badge of honor. Unfortunately, those medals come in the form of a dull, lifeless complexion. According to dermatologist Sonia Badreshia-Bansal, MD, clinical instructor at the University of California San Francisco, "stress makes any skin condition worse, including the aging process." It can dehydrate the skin, magnify lines and wrinkles and impair the cell renewal process. Stress also makes us smoke more, drink more and exercise less -- none of which is good for your face. If getting rid of the source of stress isn't an option, try meditation. You can get several guided meditation apps on your cell phone.

We'd like to think the whole world has given up cigarettes, but the truth is, nearly 20 percent of women in the U.S. still smoke. Besides being the number-one cause of lung cancer, smoking deprives the skin of oxygen and causes skin damage. "Smoking is directly toxic to all of our organs, including our skin and the blood vessels that feed it," says dermatologist Doris Day, MD, author of Forget the Facelift. Not only does it accelerate aging, it increases a person's risk for skin cancer and slows down healing. The good news is, just as you can restore lung capacity by giving up smokes, you can bring your complexion back to health. "I can see the difference within a matter of weeks," says Day.

You might think all those hours at your desk excuses you from daily sunscreen. But that's not the case, says Day. The sun's effects are cumulative, and people with skin that tans or burns easily are more susceptible to short-term damage. If you compare two people who are the same age -- one who wears sunscreen and one who doesn't -- the sunbather will have more visible signs of aging, like age spots, broken blood vessels, wrinkles, sagging and precancerous lesions. Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen of at least 15 SPF every day. But note that wearing SPF does not give you permission to tan to your heart's content. A tan is, by definition, skin damage. Cover up instead.

Sugar is not the way to a sweeter complexion. Eating a steady diet of refined carbohydrates and sweets can lead to loss of elasticity in the skin. When your blood sugar spikes, the extra sugar in your bloodstream can attach to proteins in the skin and destroy collagen and elastin -- building blocks that keep our skin strong and supple. This breakdown can lead to wrinkles and sagging. Choose whole grains instead of the white stuff. If you can't resist a bagel, adding protein to the meal can help keep your sugar levels from soaring and possibly do less skin damage.

Incognito actresses and hangover musicians aren't the only people who need a nice pair of shades. Most of us neglect the eye area when applying sunscreen, says Day, so protective eyewear is key. Because the skin around the eyes is so delicate, that's where the first signs of aging show up. Sun damage can exacerbate fine lines caused by smiling and scowling. Plus, says Day, melanoma -- a deadly form of skin cancer -- can occur in the eyes. Look for sunglasses that protect against both UVA and UVB rays.

 

12 things that are aging you II. comes out on

Sunday !