Do you look in the mirror and notice wrinkles starting to form? What may have started out as one or two fine lines is beginning to make a difference on your face. "But I'm only 30! I shouldn't have wrinkles already!"
While you may feel alone as you look in the mirror, premature aging is more common than you think. But, that doesn't make us feel any better about it. In fact, over 50% of women say that their signs of ageing make them feel self-conscious.
But what causes wrinkles? While you may turn to special creams and treatments, like dermal fillers to bring your skin's youthful glow back, you'll want to make sure you're not doing anything in your daily life to let premature ageing continue.
Do you want to know the answer? Keep reading to learn 9 causes of premature ageing that you can avoid.
1. Lack of Sleep
If you're anything like us, you probably wake up every morning wishing you could just get one more hour of sleep. It can be hard to get the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep in every night when you're juggling a hectic work and family life.
However, sleep is necessary to maintain healthy skin. This is your body's chance to repair any damages that occurred throughout the day. If you're not getting enough sleep, your body may not have had time to properly repair any skin damage which can result in early signs of ageing.
2. Dry Skin
One of the biggest culprits of premature ageing is dry skin. In order for your skin to be wrinkle-free, it needs to maintain a high level of moisture. This moisture allows your skin to remain elastic which is how it stays firm and smooth. When you suffer from dry skin, your skin's elasticity diminishes, resulting in wrinkles.
Dry skin can come from a myriad of things. Some people have naturally dry skin, others use harsh acne creams or face washes that dry their skin out. If possible (and necessary), replace your current skincare routine with a daily anti-ageing skincare routine.
3. Drinking
While going out for a few drinks with the girls every once in a while won't ruin your skin, regular drinking can cause aging skin. We've all experienced that nasty hangover after an all-nighter. That pounding headache is due to dehydration from too much alcohol.
But your head isn't the only thing that suffers. Your skin can also begin to lose moisture. Over time, this can lead to damaged and wrinkly skin. Using straws in your mixed drinks or drinking from a can or bottle can also age you by causing fine lines to appear around your mouth. The next time you hit the bar, try to avoid using straws, drink plenty of water, and moisturize your face before bed.
4. Smoking
We've all heard about the multiple consequences of smoking, like yellow teeth and a higher risk of cancer. While these should be enough to turn anybody off to smoking, it may be the premature ageing that convinces you to quit.
Smoking can result in dry skin which makes it more fragile and susceptible to wrinkles. It can also reduce your blood flow, making it harder for your skin to get the vital nutrients needed to stay elastic and smooth.
5. Sun Damage
Do you have big plans this summer to hit the beach or relax by the pool? While soaking up Vitamin D is good for you, after about 20 minutes the risks of sun damage outweigh the benefits of vitamin D.
If you stay out too long, UV rays from the sun will start to damage your skin cells, leading to fine lines and wrinkles. Too much sun damage over time can give your skin a cracked leathery feel, and nobody wants that! So, how can you stop aging without shutting yourself indoors 24/7? Applying sunscreen (and reapplying it throughout the day) can do wonders to protect your skin and keep it looking young.
6. Cold Exposure
"So, you're saying the sun isn't good for me and neither is the cold?" Yes, unfortunately, all kinds of environments can cause skin damage. Too much exposure to cold weather can cause your skin to thin, making it easier to form wrinkles. The best way to prevent this is to avoid spending a lot of time outside during winter.
7. Poor Diet
We've all had those days - you didn't leave the office until an hour past quitting time, and your daughter has dance class soon, so you hit the drive-thru for a quick meal. Better than nothing right?
While everyone indulges in junk food and cheat days occasionally, a regular diet full of sugars and fast food won't be doing your skin any favors. A poor diet can damage your skin's natural ability to produce collagen and elastin leading to ageing skin.
8. Rubbing Your Face
Do you have a bad habit of rubbing your eyes? Even if you avoid smoking, drinking, sun damage, and sugary foods, rubbing your face can cause aging skin.
Think of your skin as a rubber band. When it's new and elastic, it snaps back to its original shape after being pulled. But constantly pulling that rubber band will stretch it out. Similarly, constantly rubbing your face will cause your skin to become less firm and increase wrinkles.
9. Neglecting Your Glasses (or Sunglasses)
Did you forget your glasses at home again? Or maybe you misplaced your sunglasses on a bright day. What do you end up doing to see better? You squint. However, it won't take very long for this habit to cause signs of ageing. So, buy a spare pair of glasses for work or an extra pair of sunglasses for your car to avoid wrinkles due to squinting.
What Causes Wrinkles?
If you've noticed signs of premature ageing on your face, you're probably wondering what causes wrinkles to appear. Well, there are many things that result in ageing skin, including dry skin, smoking, sun damage, and rubbing your face. But, the good news is that all these behaviours can be avoided with a little dedication.
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