Discover the Secrets of Anti-Ageing Health

Browse the magazines, search online, or just watch TV and you’ll be inundated with so called anti-aging treatments, most promising to make your 50s something skin glow like that of a 20-year-old.
So, what should a healthy ager do to stop their skin from becoming old and crinkled well before it’s time? Surprisingly, the short answer is: Do no harm to your skin!

Researchers have found that the most visible signs of skin aging are the result of harmful external factors rather than the natural aging process, so if you minimize the damage in the first place, you are creating a foundation for effective anti-aging treatment.
No matter how much money you spend on expensive creams and remedies, the results will only be minimal if your skin is already damaged.

Unfortunately, avoiding skin damage is not as simple as it seems! Most people are aware of the harm UR-rays from the sun and tanning beds can have on your skin, but many sunscreens are inadequate and staying out of the sun will prevent only part of the sun damage.

Another product harmful to our skin are harsh detergents containing sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate (both acronymed SLS) and their analogs, such as ammonium lauryl sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate and others.
These are often found in shampoos, soaps, dishwashing liquids, laundry detergents, and even some regular soap, so make sure you read the labels when buying these products and switch to nonionic detergents, wear rubber gloves – or stop washing up!!

You may enjoy a nice long hot shower or bath, especially after strenuous exercise, but think again! Chlorine in tap water is an oxidative agent (it kills bacteria) and may cause skin damage. The hotter the water the greater the damage as the chemical reactions increase with temperature. Limit your shower or bath to once a day, don’t soak for too long and make the water temperate, not hot.

Be careful of skin irritants, particularly if you have sensitive skin, as they can cause an allergic reaction and damage the skin.

You have probably heard all the old tales about what would happen if you make certain facial expressions. Well, it seems those stories may have had an element of truth to them!

According to the skin experts, some facial expressions, if repeated often enough, cause “motion wrinkles”. Specifically, squinting creates crow's feet while frowning causes frown lines. Often, you may do either of these without even knowing it.

One way of overcoming these habits is to recognize the habit! Ask people around you every day if you squint or frown, then develop a habit or reflex to relax your face, especially when you feel a squint or frown coming on!

Squinting is also common among people who are nearsighted and either don’t wear glasses or the prescription isn’t strong enough.

The other major causes of skin damage include overuse of makeup, slapping on skin care products without knowing the ingredients and their effects on your skin, and excessive cleansing and exfoliation, which dry your skin out, causing skin sensitivity and other problems.