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One of the first signs of aging is the appearance of skin
wrinkles. These lines and creases are formed when the skin loses its
tone and elasticity which causes it to sag and droop. There are two
types of aging that causes these changes in your skin that can lead
to the formation of skin wrinkles-intrinsic and extrinsic.
Intrinsic Aging
Intrinsic aging is the internal aging process, also known as your
“biological clock.” The metabolism begins to gradually slow down,
and the production of substances such as collagen and elastin can
lead to the formation of skin wrinkles. Hormone imbalances such as
those caused by menopause can also cause the skin to age.
Intrinsic aging is greatly affected by genetic factors. Certain
families tend to show the signs of aging at an earlier age than
others. Some people may begin to get wrinkles and gray hair in their
twenties, while others still look young in their fifties.
Unfortunately, there is not much that you can do to affect this type
of aging.
Extrinsic Aging
Extrinsic aging on the other hand is the type of aging that is
caused by outside factors. These are the factors that you can change
to prevent the formation of skin wrinkles.
The number one cause of wrinkles is the sun. The ultraviolet rays
that are present in sunlight are actually healthy for your skin in
small quantities. Overexposure, however, causes the skin to produce
a chemical that is called melanin, which causes the skin to darken
to form a barrier against these rays. This production also causes
the skin to lose elastin and become more vulnerable to damage.
You should try to avoid spending long periods of time in the sun.
You should also cease all tanning activities, including the use of a
tanning bed. Although these machines have less ultraviolet lights
than the sun, the rays are still present. If you need to spend
extended periods of time outdoors, you should make sure that you use
an ample quantity of a sun protective product.
Other Extrinsic Aging Factors
There are a number of other factors that can affect extrinsic
aging. Exposure to wind and pollutants can cause skin damage.
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol and smoking cigarettes can
also lead to the formation of skin wrinkles.
Eliminating many of these factors from your lifestyle can help
you to maintain your skin’s health. Healthy skin is also younger
looking skin.
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