Natural and Easy Approaches for Slowing Down Premature Aging and Wrinkles

It’s a fact of life that as we get older, we’ll see signs of aging in the skin. This is a normal part of life and includes fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation and dark spots, sagging skin, thin skin, dry skin, and dull skin tone. This is because as we age, our skin loses elements that once made it look youthful (fat, collagen, and elasticity), and the skin cells start to divide more slowly. The rate at which your skin ages depends on your lifestyle, your genetics, and your habits. While there’s not much we can do about our genetics, the good news is that there are things you can actively do to slow down premature aging and bring a radiant glow to your complexion!

Here are our top tips for natural ways to combat wrinkles, age spots, and premature aging:

Eat well. Nourish your skin from the inside out by eating right. Make sure your diet includes adequate amounts of Vitamins A, C, D, and E, omega-3 fatty acids, and protein. Antioxidants like Vitamins C and E contribute to longer DNA telomeres, which means cells don’t die off as quickly. A high intake of omega-3 fatty acids is associated with increased moisture retention in the skin, greater elasticity, and resistance to free radical damage. Adequate protein intake combined with Vitamin C helps the body to make its own collagen.

Reduce and manage stress. Physical and mental stress increases cortisol, causes inflammation, and disrupts sleep. Make sure you’ve got stress under control, and carve out time for beauty rest!

Hydrate. Water makes up about 50 to 60 percent of our body weight. All of our body’s metabolic processes, including skin regeneration, require water. How much water you need each day will depend on your gender, body weight, level of activity, and how much you sweat.

Reduce exposure to sun, air pollution, and cigarette smoke. These three environmental factors are the prime culprits to premature aging! They reduce collagen synthesis, damage telomeres, and speed up the degradation of collagen in the body. While some amount of sun exposure is healthy (as it contributes to the natural production of vitamin D), take extra precaution by using a non-toxic sunscreen and wearing sun-protective clothing and hats during extended periods of sun exposure.

Get acupuncture. Acupuncture is a form of Chinese Medicine that is popularly known for its ability to reduce pain, optimize fertility, and alleviate stress. It can also reduce chronic inflammation, balance hormones, and promote a more youthful appearance in the skin. In particular, facial rejuvenation acupuncture (otherwise known as an acupuncture “facelift” or cosmetic acupuncture), targets the face to reduce fine lines, minimize the appearance of age spots, sculpt and plump the skin, and stimulate collagen production. Check out this article to learn more. You can book a facial rejuvenation session at Naturna with Annie or Alison, call today to learn more!

References

Ganceviciene, R., Liakou, A., Theodoridis, A., Makrantonaki, E., & Zouboulis, C. (2012). Skin anti-aging strategies. Dermatoendocrinology, 4(3), 308–319.

Thornton, J., (2013). Estrogens and aging skin. Dermatoendocrinology, 5(2), 264-270.

Vierkotter, A. & Krutmann, J. (2012). Environmental influences on skin aging and ethnic-specific manifestations. Dermatoendocrinology, 4(3), 227-231.