Skin enemies
Visible signs of ageing such as dryness, fine lines and wrinkles are symptoms of changes that have occurred below the skin's surface as a result of harmful external influences.
These external factors produce free radicals, which are the skin’s main enemy. They attack and break down the skin's supportive structure, which consists of collagen, elastin fibres and moisture-retaining elements called polysaccharides.
IMEDEEN man•age•ment skincare tablets are an essential part of daily damage-control, but there are other steps you can take to help your skin help itself too.
On the right you can read more about the 7 skin sins and how to beat them.
You can also read more about your skin enemies here
The 7 skin sins and how to beat them
Believe it or not, approximately 80% of visible skin ageing is down to UV exposure. This means that the sun and daylight have more effect on your skin than your body's natural ageing process. And it’s not just those foreign holidays that can take their toll on your skin – everyday, low-level exposure can cause premature ageing too, even in winter.
Solution: Slap on the sunscreen. And not just when you’re on the beach. For the ultimate insurance policy choose a daily moisturiser with an SPF15.
Airborne pollutants such as dirt and dust - present in most modern environments - are harmful to the skin, producing the free radicals which accelerate ageing.
Solution: Be scrupulous with cleansing and increase the amount of anti-oxidant rich fruit and vegetables in your diet.
Leads to unhealthy looking skin and unsightly bags under the eyes.
Solution: Beauty sleep is not just for girls! Try to get the recommended 7-8 hours sleep a day and try to stick to a regular schedule. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, heavy meals and too much TV before bed.
A small amount of stress isn’t necessarily bad for us; it’s the continual stuff that does the damage, suppressing the skin’s natural protective mechanisms and making it more vulnerable to free radical damage.
Solution: Learn to recognise the early warning signs and take preventative action. As a rule this means dealing with the source of stress, eating well, exercising and sleeping more and taking time out to relax.
Most of us drink a lot more than we think which isn’t just bad news for our heads the morning-after-the-night-before. Excess alcohol also leads to skin dehydration and robs the body of vital nutrients. As with all good things – moderation is the key!
Solution: Keep within the recommended number of weekly units and drink one glass of water for every alcoholic drink to counteract dehydration.
Every puff of cigarette smoke is loaded with skin-damaging free radicals, so smokers are more prone to premature skin ageing. Smoking also reduces the supply of blood to the skin's surface, restricting the flow of essential nutrients.
Solution: If you can’t cut down or give up then eat plenty of anti-oxidant rich foods to help counteract all that free radical damage.
A sedentary lifestyle can contribute to skin ageing. Exercise helps tone muscles, stimulates blood circulation and is a great stress-buster too.
Solution: Try to schedule a regular workout into your day. It doesn´t have to be the gym. A brisk 30 minute walk every day, a 20 minute cycle ride, or a few laps of the swimming pool all release endorphins – the body’s feel good hormones – and help boost sluggish skin cells. Even walking up escalators, taking the stairs instead of the lift and taking a stroll at lunchtime can help.