Skin Aging

HOW TO PREVENT PREMATURE

As people age, it’s natural to experience thinner, drier skin and an increase in wrinkles and other signs of aging. However, sometimes one’s environment and lifestyle choices can cause the skin to age prematurely. Although there is no way to prevent your skin from aging, dermatologists from the American Academy of Dermatology say it’s possible to prevent premature skin aging by following a few simple steps.

“Every effective anti-aging skin care plan starts with healthy habits,” says board-certified dermatologist Michele Green, MD, FAAD. “Daily activities, such as protecting your skin from the sun and eating healthy foods, can go a long way in preventing your skin from aging more quickly than it should.” To prevent premature skin aging, Dr. Green recommends the following tips: Protect your skin from the sun. Sun exposure plays a major role in premature skin aging. Protect your skin from the sun year-round by seeking shade, wearing sun-protective clothing — including a lightweight, long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses with UV protection — and applying a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher to all skin not covered by clothing. For more effective sun protection, choose clothing with an ultraviolet protection factor (UPF) number on the label.

Apply a facial moisturizer every day. Moisturizer traps water in the skin, giving it a more youthful appearance. To save time in your skin care routine, consider using a moisturizer that contains sunscreen. However, while a moisturizer that contains sunscreen is convenient, remember that sunscreen needs to be reapplied every two hours when you’re outdoors.