Preventing Wrinkles and Reducing Skin Aging

These are helpful low cost tips to prevent wrinkles and skin aging. They require investing a little time and effort, but considering what many people spend later in life on reversing preventable wrinkles and skin damage, you can expect a big pay-off.

Respect the sun
Most people know that UV-rays from the sun contribute to wrinkles and skin aging as well as increase the risk of skin cancer. What most people don't know is that the majority of sunscreens do not protect from skin aging and that staying out of direct sunlight will prevent only part of sun damage. Since sun damage is

partly irreversible, it should be prevented as much as possible.

Sunscreens
Sunburn is caused mainly by UVB while skin aging, wrinkles and skin cancer -- mainly by UVA. The reason is that light with different wavelengths tends to damage different types structures in the skin. Most sunscreens, especially those with SPF higher than 15, are very good at protecting against UVB and therefore at preventing sunburn, but offer little or no protection against UVA and therefore do not help prevent wrinkles or reduce the risk of skin cancer. When shopping for a sunscreen make sure that it has SPF 15 or higher and that it offers protection against both UVA and UVB. The best way to "find truth" about a sunscreen is to look at the list of active ingredients and see if they include effective UVA blockers.

Don't smoke
If you smoke, keep in mind that smoking damages skin almost as much as sunlight by generating a flood of free radicals. Certain antioxidants may provide partial protection from smoking-related skin damage.

Exfoliate
By mildly abrading your skin with exfoliating agents, you will remove the surface layer of dead cells. Afterward, fine lines will be less visible and your complexion will glow. A microdermabrasion cloth can do the trick. To find out more about microdermabrasion cloths check out www.youthfulskinsecrets.com or www.derma-c.com.

Don't drink alcohol in the evening
Alcohol increases the leakiness of capillaries (small blood vessels), so more water moves from bloodstream into soft tissues. Combined with horizontal position of the body during sleep, this results in facial puffiness skin stretching and faster wrinkle formation. Moderate drinking at least three hours before going to bed should not cause this problem in most people.

Sleep on your back
On a daily basis, gravity pulls your skin down, contributing to facial sag and wrinkles. Give your skin a break as you sleep. When you sleep with your face up, the stretching effect of gravity on your skin is minimal. Besides, when your face is pressed to a pillow, you get more puffiness in the morning.

Don't wash your skin too often with tap water
Washing strips skin of oil and moisture. Besides, tap water contains chlorine which causes oxidative damage. Excessively long and/or frequent showers overexpose your skin to chlorine. The rate of damaging chlorine chemical reactions increases with higher water temperatures.