It seems that every day I notice a little more sun damage on my hands. I still refuse to call the spots, 'age spots', but have to recognize the hands are one of the key areas that show our age. Our hands become crepe-y and spotted and bones are more prominent than when we were younger.
Other give-away areas are necks and jawlines and our eyes. Suddenly our necks and jawlines yield to gravity and start sagging and losing the definition under the chin and jaw bone. Our eyes start to droop and we notice fine lines and morning under-eye bags large enough for the summer vacation.
Some of this is unavoidable. As we age collagen starts to break down, and our skin loses its elasticity. Desquamation-the migration and renewal of epidermal (top layer) cells-slows from every two weeks in a young person to every 37 days in people over 50. The skin around the eye area is 10 times thinner than other facial skin, making it more vulnerable to simple behaviors like blinking, smiling and squinting.
Rather than waiting until you have lost that lovely glow of youth and have to resort to all the latest medical technology to restore the glow, we can make lifestyle choices and behaviors that play a big role in how much-and how rapidly-our skin ages.
Here are a few ways you can start today to ensure a healthier, glowing skin.
- Don't smoke. Exposure to cigarette smoke dries and discolors eye area skin.
- Drink plenty of water. Eye area tissue has few oil glands and already lacks moisture needed to keep wrinkles at bay.
- Watch out for salty food, which can cause water retention, resulting in puffy eyes.
- Limit intake of alcohol, another hydration stealer.
- Avoid topical products that contain irritating compounds.
- Pay attention to how the skin responds after application.
- Handle eye area skin gently, whether ruing an itch or removing a contact lens.
- Limit sun exposure; UV rays cause cells to mature abnormally.
- Wear sunglasses, and make sure they block out both UVA and UVB rays.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Use professional quality eye care products.
http://www.redmountainspa.com/
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