Aging skin is a problem for everyone, and though we can’t turn back the hands of time, we can certainly slow down its impact on our skin.
Noted cosmetic surgeon and skin care expert Dr. Anthony Youn — a regular guest on the Rachael Ray Show, The Dr. Oz Show and The Doctors — has just released his latest book called “The Age Fix” in which he reveals 16 years of skin care research and how keep your skin looking younger throughout cold, dry winter months, and the rest of the year.
“I’m offering real, surgery free solutions to how to help your skin look years younger,” he tells Health Radar. “And these solutions do not have to cost a fortune to regain your youthful glow.”
Dr. Youn explains that skin aging is caused by two factors: intrinsic and extrinsic.
“The intrinsic factors include your genetics and your propensity to stay younger looking longer or get wrinkles sooner,” he explains. “Or it may be certain disease conditions that prematurely age your skin. These factors you may have no control over, but the extrinsic factors, which are a major factors in the aging process, can be slowed down pretty significantly.”
Among those factors you can control:
Sun damage. Excess ultraviolet radiation is the absolute worst thing you can expose your skin to if you want stay looking young. We know it can cause cancer, but it’s also a prime factor in skin aging and wrinkles. Just check the difference of the skin on your face and hands to areas of your body that aren’t regularly exposed to the sun.
Tobacco use. Smoking is second only to UV radiation in its aging effects on the skin. It constricts blood vessels, which decreases blood supply to your skin. Smoking also dehydrates your skin and increases free-radical damage. One study showed that the risk of developing severe wrinkles is three times higher in smokers than in nonsmokers.
Poor nutrition. Poor dietary choices can make visible differences in your skin as well as your insides, says Dr. Youn. Sugar in particular wrecks the skin because it causes aging by inflammation and glycation which leads to oxidative stress.
Too much alcohol. Excessive alcohol consumptions ages your skin prematurely by dehydrating the skin and causes a flushing reaction in some people. Repeated flushing can result in a ruddy complexion that shows up in splotchy patches all over your face.
Chemical toxins. Dr. Youn says that the effects of environmental toxins such as pollution, pesticides, automobile exhaust and chemicals also cause free-radical damage to the skin.
“To combat all of these skin stressors the first line of defiance are antioxidants,” he says. Antioxidants are the like the cavalry sweeping in to fight off the free-radical onslaught.”
He advises:
- Eat foods rich in vitamin C — such as berries, broccoli, kale, and kiwi — to help stave off premature aging.
- Apply an antioxidant cream in the morning that contains vitamin C, vitamin E, green or black tea to protect your skin.
- To protect your skin from typical winter dehydration, eat foods that are high in omega-3 fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids. They are great in helping dry, chapped winter skin, says the expert. “I recommend eating salmon, mackerel or other fatty cold water fish at least three times a week to protect your skin from the inside out,” he says. “Olive oil is a great source of monounsaturated fatty acids. It’s not only good for your skin when you eat it, but applying olive to dry chapped hands over night covered by cotton gloves will ensure your hands will be youthful and moisturized the next morning.
Dr. Youn also suggests eating lots of avocado, another monounsaturated food, and then using the peel to help moisturize your elbows and heels.
“The shape of the peel conforms perfectly to these body parts!” he says.