Tips to Slow Down Visible Aging

When it comes to aging, women drew the short straw. With the exception of balding and a crashing metabolism, men can ease into their 40s and 50s without losing many of their defining features. It's a much more uphill battle for us ladies; we pour hundreds of dollars into anti-aging creams and then thousands into plastic surgery to try to turn the clock back. Instead of doing damage control, let's talk prevention. Here's a list of ten activities and behaviorisms that can speed up the aging process, so learn them and avoid them!


1.Smoking.

Although smoking is a well-advertised hazard to your health, it also takes a heavy toll on your appearance. Leathery skin, yellowed teeth and fingertips are all visible signs of smoking that make you look much older than you actually are. Longtime heavy smokers also tend to have gravely voices as a result of larynx damage and wear.

2.Sleep: too little and too much.
Your body works at its best when it is given enough rest, but not too much. The recommended amount is approximately eight hours; chronically sleeping too much or too little can put you at risk for health problems such as heart attack and diminishing your immune system.

3.Over-exercising.

Working your body too hard can cause muscular and cellular damage. Working out for four or more stamina-hours each week puts you in the risk zone.

4.Wear your sunglasses!

Protecting your eyes should always be a top priority; studies are showing more and more that the correlation between wearing sunglasses outside not only protects your eyeballs but also helps prevent crows feet and other wrinkles associated with heavy squinting.

5.Similarly, slap on the sunscreen.

Age spots on forearms and hands are the most visible signs of age; the fewer of these you have the younger you will appear. Guaranteed.

6.Lose the eyeliner.

Each time you pull your eyelid straight to apply eyeliner, you're loosening the skin and contributing to future wrinkles.

7.Foundation foundations.

The foundation you apply should brighten up your appearance. Also, remember that less is more. Caked on makeup creates the appearance that you're wearing a mask. Use concealer for blemishes and as little overall foundation; you want to appear more youthful and part of being young means minimal makeup.

8.Sleeping on the same side.

You create linear wrinkles when you regularly sleep on the same side. If you can, sleep on your back. This position minimizes puffy eyes and keeps your facial skin tighter.

9.Don't drink from straws.

Sucking through a straw means pursing your lips, which can bring on wrinkles. The same principle can be applied to cigarette smoking.

10. Use soft sheets.

Heather Locklier once told an interviewer that one of her beauty secrets was sleeping on satin sheets, at the least a satin pillowcase. Your facial skin is much more fragile than you may think; using soft bedding provides the gentlest cushion for your skin (facial and otherwise).