Most people accept the fact that growing old is a part of life. What they don’t like is looking old. After all, just because someone is chronologically in their 50s or 60s doesn’t necessarily mean that they feel that old, which is one reason why so many Americans are choosing to stay in the workforce longer and delay retirement.
But even those who are energetic and young at heart can feel discouraged when the fine lines, wrinkles, brown spots and sagging skin begin to show up. These are perfectly natural signs of aging that develop after a lifetime of exposing one’s face to harsh weather, sunlight and toxins in the environment, such as cigarette smoke.
“Free radicals, like the kind formed from sun exposure, [affect] the membrane of skin cells, potentially allowing damage to the DNA of that cell,” New York-based dermatologist Ariel Ostad told Health News Digest. “When you help protect the cells from damage and disintegration, you also guard against premature aging.”
This may be the reason why many experts recommend a healthy diet as the first line of defense against aging skin. Eating foods that are packed with antioxidants, nutrients that help fight the damage caused by free radicals, could be a good way to look and feel good. Fruits such as strawberries, blackberries and blueberries pack a powerful punch with regard to these protective compounds.
Fighting nature with nature is nothing new. A recent paper published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry revealed that researchers have been looking into the use of poplar trees as a source for these beautifying antioxidants. The scientists created an extract from the leaf buds, called propolis, which appeared to have anti-aging effects on skin cells grown in the laboratory.
“The collective antioxidant properties of this extract suggest potential anti-aging properties which could be utilized in cosmetic and nutraceutical formulations,” the research team explained.
In addition to eating a nutritious diet, doctors frequently recommend that people drink plenty of water to keep skin looking young.
These preventive measures can go a long way in terms of reducing the signs of aging, but what if one wants more immediate results?
Looking into laser skin rejuvenation at a facility such as Reflections Medical Spa may be the way to go. A wide variety of safe, effective, minimally-invasive procedures are available to treat everything from wrinkles and sun spots to creases and hollowing. Opting for such a treatment to supplement a nutritious diet and healthy lifestyle may help people look as young as they feel for many years to come.
