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