By Carla123x March 13, 2018 - 12:40pm

When it comes to skin, wrinkles are one of the most prominent signs of aging. If you want to stay looking young forever, it is important to take good care of your skin. By keeping it adequately moisturized and providing it with the nutrients that it needs, you can avoid getting wrinkles for as long as possible.

 

Along with adopting a good basic skin care routine, there are some additional steps that you should be taking if you want to avoid wrinkles. Try incorporating the following seven practices into your lifestyle to enjoy beautiful, wrinkle-free skin as you age.

 

Seven Natural Methods For Treating And Preventing Wrinkles

 

Even the most expensive skin care products won't make a difference if you aren't incorporating the following seven practices into your daily routine:

 

1. Take basic steps to protect your skin.

 

If you read just about any list of skin care tips, it will contain the same items - protect your skin from the sun, avoid smoking, avoid excessive alcohol intake, and always wash your face before bed. This is great advice that everyone should be following. Once you develop these healthy habits, they will stick with you for life.

 

2. Make sure you are well rested.

 

Getting your beauty sleep is more than just an expression - it is actually backed up by research.

 

For instance, in 2015, a study involving 60 women looked at the effect of each woman's sleep habits on the quality of her skin. Throughout the study, the skin was evaluated using a number of different tests and was photographed in detail. Based on the evidence they gathered, the skin was scored on a variety of factors, allowing the researchers to come up with an overall score for skin aging. This figure incorporated skin changes such as fine lines, wrinkles, the loss of elasticity, hyperpigmentation, and drooping or sagging. The women who scored higher on this test looked older than those who scored lower.

 

Based on the results of the study, women who slept well throughout the night scored 2.2 on average. On the other hand, women who had trouble sleeping through the night scored an average of 4.4, meaning that they looked much older. Even more interesting, participants who had trouble sleeping for five nights in a row showed a dramatic increase in fine lines, wrinkles, and age spots.

 

According to Doctor Baron, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine's Associate Professor of Dermatology and the director of UH Case Medical Center's Skin Study Center, the study was the first of its kind that clearly showed that poor quality sleep resulted in faster skin aging. According to the study, women who aren't getting enough sleep exhibit signs of premature skin aging. Their skin is also less capable of recovering after being exposed to the sun.

 

Interestingly, napping the following day doesn't help alleviate this problem. Ultimately, your goal should be to get anywhere from about seven to nine hours of sleep each night.

 

3. Sleep on your back if possible.

 

If you sleep with your face touching your pillow, it may cause permanent wrinkles in your skin over time.

 

Again, this effect has been backed up by science. Researchers conducted a study in 2004 that determined that certain lines on the face were caused by the position that people were sleeping in. Based on their findings, they determined that sleeping positions were a key factor in the development of wrinkles.

 

Dore Aesthetics suggest that the theory is that the pillow applies pressure to your skin, pulling on it throughout the night. Over time, this can cause your skin to lose its elasticity, resulting in sagging. Laying on your back when you sleep can help alleviate this problem. If you can't sleep on your back, try looking for a special pillow or pillowcase that is specifically designed to minimize the chances of developing pillow-related wrinkles.

 

4. Naturally increase your collagen levels.

 

Collagen provides elasticity and firmness to your skin, helping it to maintain its structure. As you age, it begins to break down, causing the skin to sag. This, in turn, results in wrinkles.

 

Fortunately, there are some simple dietary changes that you can make that can help naturally increase your collagen levels. Bone broth is one of the most powerful foods for boosting collagen, as are leafy green vegetables, red meat, cheese, beans, and the whites of eggs. Be sure to eat plenty of foods that contain vitamin C, as well. Along with citrus fruit, bell peppers are a fantastic source of this essential vitamin.

 

5. Increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids.

 

Evaluate your diet to make sure that you are getting enough omega-3 fatty acids. These essential fatty acids are found in fish, certain types of nuts and seeds, and olive oil. They play an important role in the skin's ability to stay moisturized. When your skin is properly hydrated, it can smooth out the look of fine lines and wrinkles.

 

If you aren't getting enough omega-3 fatty acids in your diet, you may find that your skin becomes dry and scaly.

 

6. Increase your intake of vitamin C.

 

Countless studies over the years have shown a link between vitamin C and wrinkles. For instance, in 2007, a study that looked at more than 4,000 women found that participants who consumed higher levels of vitamin C had fewer problems with skin dryness and wrinkling.

 

At the same time, however, those who ate diets that contained high amounts of carbohydrates and fat showed an increased risk of developing wrinkles. Based on this research, eating a nutritious diet that is high in vitamin C is one of the best ways to improve the condition of your skin.

 

Some of the foods that are highest in vitamin C include oranges, lemons, bell peppers, broccoli, berries, and leafy green vegetables.

 

7. Find ways to relieve stress.

 

Stress can take a toll on your skin, causing it to age prematurely. This isn't just conjecture - it is actually backed up by research.

 

In 2015, a study was done where 5,000 participants were analyzed to see how their stress levels affected their skin condition. The study found that people who had higher levels of stress were more likely to experience problems with rashes, itching, and scaly skin.

 

Similarly, in 2014, a study was done in an effort to show the effect of stress on the skin. After examining research that had previously been done, they found that stress could cause flare-ups of inflammatory skin conditions such as psoriasis. Studies done on animals have shown that stress can also increase the risk of developing skin cancer.

 

According to the researchers, the skin showed clear responses to stress. Not only did stress lead to inflammation, it also caused nerve irritation. This, in turn, increased the likelihood of allergic reactions. Additionally, because stress prevented the skin barrier from functioning the way that it should, there was a higher chance of developing problems with dryness and wrinkling. Along with that, the rate at which moisturizing lipids were produced decreased and wound healing also slowed down.

 

When you consider the negative impact of stress on your skin, it is easy to see why it is so important to find ways to relax. Consider taking up yoga or trying your hand at meditation. Going for walks in nature, writing in a journal, creating art, or spending time socializing can also be effective ways of dealing with stress.