What Causes Premature Skin Aging?

As you age, you start to notice that your back gives away and your skin starts to sag. While aging is unavoidable no matter how hard you try, premature skin aging is very different.

Our appearance and bodies are bound to change as we age. But for some of us, these changes can take place faster than they should. Better known as premature aging, these changes are usually the result of behavioral and lifestyle changes.

Premature aging is most visible on the skin, as it starts to wrinkle. Some common signs of premature skin aging include fine lines, dryness, dullness, age spots, and lack of elasticity in the skin. If your skin loses its glow and smooth feel despite not being too old, it may be time to minimize the factors that cause aging.

Lack of Sleep

Getting adequate and restful sleep can solve multiple health-related issues, as it is essential for healthy energy levels and complexion, along with an active mind and body.

Eye bags are the most common example of how lack of sleep can affect your appearance. Many people notice dark circles form under their eyes in a single night.

The skin heals at night, just like the rest of your body, while you sleep. If you don’t sleep enough at night, unpleasant effects can appear on your face in no time. You may experience poor skin barrier function and increased signs of premature skin aging.

Sticking to a sleep schedule can help improve your sleep patterns and reduce the effects of premature aging.

Stress

Stress can affect impacts your energy, mood, performance, and productivity. But did you know that stress can also contribute to premature aging?

Excessive stress will affect all the organs in your body, including the largest organ: your skin. Constant worrying releases stress hormones that can cause acne and lead to dull-looking and saggy skin. Cortisol is a stress hormone that breaks down collagen, responsible for maintaining glowy, healthy-looking skin.

As such, chronic stress speeds up aging, causing inflammation, wrinkles, and dull complexion. So, figure out what makes you stressed and find a way to relax and reduce that stress.

Sun Exposure

The sun is a major contributor to skin problems, including premature skin aging. Many studies reveal that ultraviolet (UV) rays are responsible for eighty percent of skin aging signs, including pigmentation and fine lines.

Also called photo-aging, the sun’s damaging UV rays adversely affect the structure of skin cells, which can contribute to age spots. Additionally, excessive sun exposure also increases the chances of skin cancer.

Therefore, everyone should avoid going out in direct sunlight. Sunscreens sit on the skin to deflect harmful UVA and UVB rays from the sun, preventing them from reaching your skin cells. When applying sunscreen, cover your neck as sun exposure can quickly cause necklines and saggy skin.

Other Factors that Contribute to Premature Skin Aging

Some common lifestyle factors that speed up skin aging include:

Smoking: Nicotine alters the structure of living cells in the body while toxins break down collagen.

Unhealthy Diet: Sugars and refined carbs can lead to various skin problems.

Alcohol: Excessive alcohol consumption dehydrates the skin over time.

Many people struggle with premature skin aging. While they may want to reverse the signs of skin aging, it is impossible to do so without knowing the causes. Lack of sleep, excessive stress, and sun exposure are the primary reasons for sped-up skin aging.

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