| What images come to mind upon hearing the | | | | Factor (SPF) of 15 or above. Apply suncreen |
| word "old"? Maybe one will think of a person | | | | regularly, 20 to 30 minutes before sun |
| who has white hair, has difficulty walking or | | | | exposure, and take note to re-apply after |
| hearing, and someone with wrinkly skin. Being | | | | sweating or washing with water. |
| old usually has negative connotations and | | | | |
| some, if not most, people are even afraid of | | | | 2.Moisturize your skin. One indication of |
| getting old. This may be the reason why for | | | | aging skin is its being dry. It is important |
| centuries, people have been looking for that | | | | to observe the recommended water intake of |
| one solution in staying or looking young. | | | | 8-10 glasses per day. Also avoid using |
| | | | products that have chemicals which may cause |
| During the olden times, people made use of | | | | the skin to dry; instead choose those contain |
| medicinal plants and other natural resources | | | | moisturizers. Skin moisturizers must be |
| to treat their problems with aging skin. | | | | applied after washing. |
| Among these resources are aloe and honey | | | | |
| which are still used nowadays. However, with | | | | 3.Observe what you eat or drink. According to |
| various advances in technology and medicine, | | | | a medical research director at Revival Soy in |
| more sophisticated treatments have been | | | | North Carolina, soy can help build and |
| developed such as injectable fillers, | | | | maintain collagen which is an important |
| botulinum toxin (also known as botox) and | | | | component of connective tissues that make up |
| microdermabrasion. These newer solutions may | | | | the skin. A component of soy which is soy |
| alter or slow down skin aging faster or more | | | | isoflavones can also act as antioxidants to |
| efficiently, however, at a higher cost. For | | | | protect the collagen from being damaged. It |
| those who cannot afford such expensive | | | | is also advisable to consume food and liquids |
| procedures, there are still other possible | | | | that are rich in vitamins A, B, C and E which |
| skin treatments combating aging that can be | | | | help maintain smooth and youthful looking |
| done without breaking the bank. | | | | skin. If desired, food supplements with such |
| | | | vitamins can also be taken. |
| Before trying a particular skin treatment, it | | | | |
| is important to have even some basic | | | | 4.Avoid smoking. It is said that substances |
| knowledge of the components of our skin and | | | | in tobacco or cigarettes can cause |
| how it functions. As it has been taught in | | | | biochemical changes in the body and skin. |
| school, the skin is made up of two layers: | | | | Based on a number of researches made |
| the dermis which contains various skin | | | | previously, smoking can hasten skin aging by |
| appendages, and the epidermis which serves as | | | | increasing the appearance of wrinkles and |
| a protective portion against infections and | | | | causing the skin to look yellowish. |
| other threats. Within the skin are also | | | | |
| different components and substances such as | | | | 5.Avoid repetitive facial expressions and |
| melanocytes that cause skin pigmentation, | | | | sleeping positions. It is said that constant |
| collagen that helps form connective tissues, | | | | or repetitive positioning of the face on the |
| and elastin that is responsible for the | | | | pillow may cause lines and wrinkles to be |
| skin's elasticity. | | | | etched on the skin. The same thing happens |
| | | | with repetitive facial expression since when |
| By knowing the different components and | | | | muscles contract to convey these expressions, |
| functions of the skin it will also be easier | | | | grooves are formed on the skin. These lines |
| to understand how the skin ages and what can | | | | and wrinkles, which are often observed in |
| possibly cause it. Causes of skin aging may | | | | aging skin, may be more visible as a person |
| either be intrinsic or extrinsic. Intrinsic | | | | grows older and his or her skin decreases |
| causes may include genetic factors which | | | | elasticity. |
| affect the natural skin aging process. | | | | |
| Extrinsic causes on the other hand are those | | | | Treatments other than those mentioned above, |
| that come from the environment such as | | | | specifically those that are not as costly as |
| exposure to the sun and the environment's | | | | the ones offered in clinics, can also be used |
| humidity level. It has been said that | | | | to address skin aging. Among these are use of |
| intrinsic factors that cause skin aging | | | | medicinal plants and natural resources as |
| cannot be changed or prevented. Often, only | | | | what the people have done during ancient |
| the extrinsic factors then are being | | | | times. However, it is important to know the |
| addressed by most treatments or procedures | | | | substances and reactions of these materials |
| available. | | | | to the skin so as not to be misled and to |
| | | | avoid complications. It is therefore not |
| What different treatments or solutions can be | | | | necessary to spend so much just to avoid or |
| done to avoid, prevent or slow down skin | | | | prevent skin aging. Through a disciplined |
| aging without much money being spent? | | | | lifestyle and regular observation of the |
| | | | solutions stated above, prevention of |
| 1.Protect your skin from excessive exposure | | | | premature skin aging can be addressed. Though |
| to the sun. If possible, avoid or limit | | | | eventually, a person has to learn to accept |
| tanning or using tanning devices and | | | | that despite of all treatments undertaken, |
| products. When doing any activity that may | | | | his or her skin will still age naturally. In |
| require much sun exposure, make use of | | | | this situation, there is no better option |
| sunblocks or sunscreens with a Sun Protection | | | | other than choosing to age gracefully. |