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Last Updated on November 15, 2023 by Steal the Style
These days, most women are making an effort to slow the signs of aging. By doing things like using special products or adopting healthier habits, they’ve been told they can consistently look younger than their true age.
Unfortunately, some of these habits and products can actually end up working against you if you aren’t careful. If you are on the anti-aging quest, be sure you aren’t guilty of any of the five following mistakes that most women make when fighting the signs of aging:
In This Post:
1. Forging Sunblock in Fall and Winter
Some women make sure that they use sunblock religiously in warmer seasons, but once cooler months get here, they assume they are safe. After all, it’s often dreary outside and this time of year, the sun is further away from the Earth. However, that doesn’t mean your skin is any safer. Ultraviolet rays are still strong enough in these seasons to cause damage that can make you look older, such as loss of elasticity, wrinkles, dryness and age spots. If you want to reap the full benefits of sunscreen, experts recommend that, regardless of the season, you should use it whenever you’ll be outside for extended periods. It’s suggested to choose a sunscreen that is at least offer SPF 15 protection, but SPF 30 is optimal.
2. Skipping the Sunglasses
A well-chosen pair of sunglasses is a fashionable way to safeguard your eyes, but if you fail to use them, you might eventually start wearing them to hide the wrinkles around your eyes instead. Making a habit of wearing shades in sunny or lightly cloudy conditions protects not only your eyes themselves but also the skin surrounding them. This prevents the formation of wrinkles due to sun damage and prolonged squinting. For optimal protection, choose sunglasses that have thick, wide or wrap-around frames, or those with large lenses. Be sure to check for a label indicating UV protection as not all sunglasses provide this.
3. Rubbing Your Eyes
Nothing feels quite as good as giving your eyes a good rub when they’re tired, but it’s one of the worst things you can do to them. The skin surrounding the eyes is thin and delicate. Rubbing can stretch and irritate the skin, causing sagging and discoloration. The same principle also applies to using eye products. If they’re thick and rich, the effort needed to apply them may be enough to damage the skin. Instead, choose products that are easy to apply, like gels and serums.
4. Not Protecting Your Hands, Neck and Chest
In many cases, the skin of the hands, neck, and chest areas can be a bigger indicator of a woman’s age than the skin on her face. The skin here possesses far fewer oil glands than most other parts of the body, which means that it’s more prone to aging than the rest. In addition, while many women take great care to protect their face, they frequently overlook these critical areas. When using sunscreen or anti-aging products, be sure you apply them to your neck, hands and chest as well.
5. Sleep Deprivation
You can do all sorts of things in an attempt to hold back aging, but they won’t do much good if you’re chronically deprived of sleep. Failing to get enough sleep and sleeping poorly both dramatically accelerate the signs of aging. During sleep, your body undergoes numerous processes to repair and rebuild itself. Among these is the secretion of growth hormones, which prompts the repair of and nutrient delivery to the body’s tissues. Being deprived of sleep disturbs growth hormone secretion, so skin repair suffers.
Looking older is a natural part of life, but that doesn’t mean you have to accept it. There are many ways to ward off the signs of aging, but there are also many mistakes that can undo your hard work. By keeping the above factors in mind, you can experience a more effective anti-aging regimen and start to turn back the clock. The information for this article was provided by a cosmetic surgeon who specializes in skin treatments and other anti-aging procedures.
