Sunday, December 16, 2007

Contributing Factors of Aging Skin

Contributing Factors of Aging Skin
As we grow older, our skin ages with us. Although aging
skin is inevitable, the rate at which skin ages depends on
several factors. The natural aging process begins in the
mid-twenties as the production of collagen in slows. This
causes skin to slowly lose the ability to hold it's shape
like it used to and may result in wrinkles. Also, the
natural shedding of dead skin cells slows which does not
allow new skin cells to reach the surface at the same rate
as it did in a person's youth. All of these factors lead to
wrinkles, gray hair, dry skin, hair loss, etc. These
factors are considered "intrinsic" because they are
controlled purely by genetics.

"Extrinsic" aging occurs due to other factors that are not
controlled by genetics. It is much easier for people to
attempt to avoid these factors since many are caused by a
person's actions or the environment in which a person
lives. Perhaps the most damaging extrinsic factor is sun
damage. The sun is the skin's biggest enemy, as exposure
causes freckles, age spots, wrinkles, spider veins and even
skin cancer. Wearing a daily sun block is vital to
protecting your skin from sun damage. Even on cloudy days
the sun's rays can reach your skin so putting sunscreen on
every day should become a part of any person's daily
routine. Tanning has the same effect on skin as sun
exposure so it should be avoided whenever possible.

Smoking cigarettes is another leading cause of aging skin.
The chemical changes that occur within the body of a person
that smokes lead to deep wrinkles and discolored skin that
has a leathery appearance. The only way to avoid this type
of extrinsic aging is to stop smoking and avoid places
where smokers congregate. Unlike smoking, gravity is an
unavoidable extrinsic factor in aging skin. As the skin
ages and becomes loose, gravity causes skin to droop. There
is no real way to prevent gravity's effect on skin, but
healthy eating and regular exercise help to keep the body
toned and diminishes the appearance of loose skin.

Finally, repetitive facial expressions may cause wrinkles.
When a facial muscle is used excessively, an indentation is
made in the skin. Over time, as collagen production slows,
these indentations become more prominent since the skin can
not retain its shape as well as it did in the past.

Everyone's skin will go through the aging process - there's
no way around it, however, there are ways for a person to
improve the appearance of aging skin. Visiting a medical
spa for rejuvenating skin treatments can help to keep the
skin looking young. Although there is no way to fully
prevent wrinkles, age spots, spider veins, etc., but there
is also no reason to surrender to them. Contact a
professional medical spa to learn how you can fight the
appearance of aging skin and retain the youthful skin that
you had in your twenties.


----------------------------------------------------
By Joseph Devine
For more information visit http://www.dermagenix.net

No comments: