Aging

The first and foremost cause of wrinkles is natural aging. As the body ages, the skin becomes less elastic and more susceptible to permanent impressions caused by frequent facial muscle contractions and general gravitational effects. This is much like an aging apple. Before it is ripe, and apple is resistant to outside effects, such as pressing one’s thumb against the skin. However, when it is ripe or over-ripe that same amount of thumb pressure may create an indent in the apple’s surface. The same relationship exists between human aging and skin.

Though aging is inevitable, there are some factors that might increase your susceptibility to premature aging and wrinkles. These factors include exposure to sunlight, exposure to tanning booths, and long-term smoking habits.

UV Radiation: The Sun and Tanning Booths

For centuries, people have traveled the globe in search of the Fountain of Youth. Though neither physical structure nor body of water designed to reverse the hands of time has ever been discovered, there are plenty of natural anti-aging treatments that help you to age gracefully while improving your health.

Natural Skin Care

There are many expensive over-the-counter creams, gels and potions that promise younger-looking skin but can they really deliver? Perhaps you’ve heard about Botox only to see the less-than-perfect results on your favorite celebrities? Natural skin care can help you save time, money and pain by providing equal results without the side effects.

More people are sunburned in the spring than any other time.  At least in the summer, the sun actually feels hot.  And usually, by the time midsummer comes, we've spent enough time out in the sun to have developed a little bit of a tan. 

During spring break, however, we're still pale from spending the winter inside.  And the sun doesn't feel too hot.  In fact, the warmth is a welcome break after winter's chill.  Lobster-red sunburns are the norm during spring break.  But what can you do to take care of skin in order to prevent them? 

First of all, remember your natural sunscreen.  It's easy to remember to slather yourself with natural sunscreen when you walk out into ninety-five degree heat.  But the sun is just as damaging in the spring.  Use at least SPF 30.  And a sunscreen with SPF 40 is even better. 

Physical appearance and preservation of young-looking skin is important to almost everyone, but it can be difficult to maintain. As people age, their skin is prone to wrinkles, discoloration, and unattractive lines which appear around the eyes and mouth. How is it possible to keep aging skin looking young and flexible? It can be done with regular household materials and by using some easy anti aging skin treatments.

Great anti aging skin treatments can be as simple as quitting smoking; on average, a smoker's skin will age at about twice the rate of a person who does not smoke. Quitting smoking with the help of a doctor and support group will drastically improve skin appearance. Aging skin not constantly exposed to the toxins present in cigarette smoke will bounce back and regain elasticity.

Most people know about the dangers of too much sun on skin and the importance of using sunscreen on sunny, summer days.  However, the many choices and levels of protection offered in sunscreen products can leave parents confused.  Understanding how protection against sun damage  works can help people feel confident that they are choosing the best sunscreen for themselves and their families.  Overexposure to ultraviolet radiation, or UV, results in skin damage.  Two types of ultraviolet radiation, UVA and UVB, pose the most hazard to human skin.  Tans and sunburns are caused by UVB.  Powerful enough to penetrate the top layer of skin, UVB is strongest in the summer months when the earth has moved closer to the sun.  In contrast, UVA penetrates deeper into the second layer of skin, and with the ability to permeate windows and thin clothing, UVA causes the most long-term harm.  With proper protection, parents can minimize the damage caused by these types of UV rays.