Far from natural! Now, we wouldn’t suggest for a minute that there’s anything wrong with growing old gracefully. The natural ageing process is defined in our very genetics, resulting in the complex hormonal and physical transformations that take place throughout life. Premature ageing refers to the unnatural acceleration of the natural ageing process, primarily due to damage from sun exposure and an unhealthy lifestyle. While the natural ageing process cannot be slowed, most people who exhibit signs of ageing are actually suffering from premature ageing. Sound far-fetched? Consider this: not only are over 99% of wrinkles caused by sun exposure, but premature ageing can add up to twenty years to your appearance!
Taking care of your skin early on can help your skin stay healthy well into your golden years. It’s an investment that only takes minutes a day!
Avoiding unprotected sun exposure is the most important measure you can take to protect your skin. General lifestyle factors are also important – a diet too rich in highly-processed foods and alcohol, and lacking in fresh fruits, vegetables and whole foods, can have a significant impact on the health of the skin.
The 5 Major Causes of Premature Ageing
The Sun
Responsible for a litany of skin issues, and more importantly skin cancer, the sun really is our skin’s worst enemy. Scientific studies have shown that repeated ultraviolet (UV) exposure breaks down collagen, impairs skin’s ability to repair itself and attacks our elastin.
The damage is seen through deep wrinkles, age spots (hyperpigmentation), spider veins, a rough, blotchy complexion and a “leathery” look.
Exposure to the Elements
Cold winds and low temperatures can dry out skin, depriving it of balanced levels of sebum (oil) that keep skin lubricated. Without these oils, skin becomes dry, and is more prone to premature ageing because of the lack of protective oils.
Smoking
Smokers are more likely than non-smokers to develop wrinkled, leathery skin, as well as a yellowish hue in their complexions. And even if you aren’t a smoker, being around a smoker can still cause damage to your skin.
Lack of Sleep / Stress
Skin is the first place to be affected by lack of sleep – the immediate effects of exhaustion are represented through dark circles under the eyes and sagging skin.
Stress is inevitable – just like ageing! But it also contributes to premature ageing. Often when we’re stressed, we furrow our brow, place our hands on our face and pull it in every which way direction, frown (where do you think the term “frown lines” comes from?) and twist our faces around, performing repetitive movements that impart permanent damage. Stress also results in heightened adrenal activity, which over time can lead to impaired health.
Lack of Exercise /Poor Diet
Lack of exercise can contribute to prematurely ageing skin, as exercise keeps muscles tone and stimulates blood flow.
A poor diet leads to a lack of nutrition for the cells and possible exposure to chemicals and preservatives. Fried and burnt food can also cause oxidation (free radicals from vitamins help counteract oxidation), leading to weaker cell structure.
Sun Protection is Your First Line of Defense
If the sun is your skin’s worst enemy, then sun protection is your first line of defense. Dermalogica new sunscreen technology won’t clog pores, won’t cause irritation (redness and burning) and won’t feel chalky or greasy, it’s much easier to comfortably make sunscreens a part of your daily skin care regimen.
Dermalogica’s Solar Defense System delivers this antioxidant technology through UV Smart Booster Technology, a microcapsule containing antioxidant vitamins that bursts upon contact with UV light, releasing the antioxidants onto skin, providing protection when it’s needed most.
Make sunscreen as much a part of your skin care regimen as cleansing and moisturising. Apply at least a walnut-sized amount of sunscreen to skin and neck before going out into the daylight, and after swimming or exercising, to impede the damage caused by UV light.
Treatment for Results
When skin is healthy, premature ageing is minimized. Professional skin treatments coupled with the right lifestyle choices and home care regimen are great ways to treat the signs of premature ageing.
Sunscreens formulated with antioxidant vitamins provide enhanced daylight protection against damaging UV light and free radicals. Make sunscreen as much a part of your skin care regimen as cleansing and moisturising. Apply at least a walnut-sized amount of sunscreen to skin and neck before going out into the daylight, and after swimming or exercising, to impede the damage caused by UV light.
As well as a good home care regimen, technique is also important. Do not use hot water when cleansing, don’t use excessive or abrasive movements (instead, go for gentle, upward circles), and stay away from products that contain artificial fragrances or colours. Keep your surrounding temperature as moderate as possible, and never place any heat directly at your skin. The use of a humidifier will also help add moisture to surrounding air.
Use vitamin-enriched products, specifically those containing stabilized Vitamins A, C and E, which can deliver the vital nutrients that the skin needs to help firm and improve elasticity.
Use Dermalogica MultiVitamin Power Concentrate and MultiVitamin Power Firm for the eyes and lips on a daily basis, along with MultiVitamin Power Recovery Masque 1 to 2 times weekly. And don’t forget your hands, which are one of the first areas to show signs of premature ageing and sun damage – Dermalogica MultiVitamin Hand and Nail Treatment was developed specifically to counter this.
Understanding AGEs, MMPs and other causes of skin aging
In recent years, scientists have come to understand the actual biochemical triggers that manifest skin aging, such as wrinkles, altered pigmentation, and loss of skin tone. These triggers are known as:
- Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS), also known as free radicals.
- Matrix Metalloproteinases (or MMPs).
- Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs).
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) are dangerous oxygen molecules generated by UV rays and pollution. ROS attack and react with stable skin cell molecules, causing cross-linking of collagen and elastin (the cause of wrinkles) while lessening skin’s ability to repair itself.
Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are enzymes activated by UV exposure or inflammation. MMPs contribute to the breakdown of collagen while inhibiting new collagen formation.
The same glucose (sugar) that provides energy for our cells can also react with proteins, including the skin’s collagen. This reaction results in the formation of Advanced Glycation End-products (AGEs), which can contribute to loss of elasticity, wrinkles, inflammation, inhibited skin cell growth and accelerated aging.
Because we understand these triggers, skin care professionals are better equipped to effectively treat, and control, the signs of skin ageing.
