Avoiding Threats To Youthful Skin – Part 2

It is no secret that chronic over exposure to sunlight plays a role in aging skin and the development of skin cancer.  UV rays are an invisible form of radiation emitted from the sun that can penetrate and change the structure of skin cells. In fact, UV radiation is the main environmental factor that causes human skin to age.

The eyes and the delicate area around the eyes are particularly vulnerable to sun exposure.  Thus, protection from excessive sun exposure is important all year round, not just during the summer or at the beach; UV rays can cause skin damage during any season or temperature.

UV rays reach you on cloudy and hazy days as well as on bright, sunny ones.  UV rays also reflect off surfaces like water, cement, sand and snow.  While we need some sun exposure to absorb vitamin D for strong bones, it should be in moderation and outside of peak hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. during daylight standard time and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. during standard time) as much as possible.

Sunglasses are useful to protect the eyes from UV rays and reduce the risk of cataracts.  Sunglasses that block both UVA and UVB rays offer the best protection.  Wraparound sunglasses are preferred because they block UV rays from the side.

The sun can cause skin to age, wrinkle, thicken, dry out, freckle, blemish and develop a rough texture. To avoid these unsightly results, protect your skin from the sun with hats and UVA/UVB blocking sunscreen and sunglasses.

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Avoiding Threats To Youthful Skin – Part 1

Eating is something we do every day and is often a mindless action.  We blindly reach for a soda (very bad) or a diet soda (equally bad) instead of a bottle of spring water (good).  Or, we grab a bagel or Danish (equally bad) instead of healthier alternatives such as a bowl of plain yogurt and a piece of fruit.

To keep your body healthy and skin youthful, you must avoid foods that cause a rapid rise in blood sugar.  These foods include all forms of sugar, processed foods, pasta, breads, pastry, baked goods and snack foods such as rice and corn cakes, chips and pretzels.  A good indicator of a healthy food choice is whether the food was made by nature rather than a laboratory.

A proper diet that promotes a healthy body and radiant skin includes protein.  Protein is the building block of life.  Because it cannot be stored in the body, protein must be eaten every day at each meal.  Fish, shellfish, poultry, eggs and low-fat dairy products such as yogurt, Kiefer and tofu are excellent sources of high quality protein.

Next, you need low-glycemic carbs (those that will not provoke a sugar high when consumed in moderation).  These include brightly colored fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains such as old-fashioned oatmeal and legumes such as beans and lentils.

Finally, you need to include healthy fats such as omega-3 essential fatty acids found in wild salmon.  Other healthy fats include avocado, evoo, olives, nuts and seeds, all of which will help keep the skin supple and wrinkle free.

The message here is to be mindful of your food choices.  Following the food choices above are the key to health, longevity, and beautiful youthful skin.

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Smoking: The Second Leading Cause of Wrinkling

After the sun, smoking accelerates the normal aging process of your skin, contributing to wrinkles. It thins the skin by around 40%, so that water escapes more easily. Further damage is caused by the chemicals in cigarettes which break down the fibers in collagen and elasticity, mimicking and accelerating the normal aging process. Cigarette smoke also contains a substance called benzopyrene which destroys the vitamin C needed for collagen manufacturing and is replete with free radicals that degrade the skin. Smoking also constricts the tiny capillaries that feed the skin so that it is deprived of nutrients and oxygen.

And if that wasn’t enough, the facial expressions that smoking encourages - squinting of the eyes and puckering of the lips - stretch the most delicate skin on the face. All of these effects together can add 15 years to the age of your skin and you are five times more likely to have prominent wrinkles than non-smokers of the same age.

To combat the impact of smoking, “just say no.” If you have tried and failed, at least decrease your intake of cigarettes while increasing your intake of antioxidant nutrients and water to help counter some of the effects.

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