Life is full of trials and challenges that we may face while pursuing happiness and success. In these journeys, we may meet new people, form long-lasting friendships, and experience situations that we would have never dreamed of. There are many themes within this journey that may define certain aspects of our lives, such as love and power; however, the most prominent theme of all is: change. All of the changes that we have been through in our years may be seen in our social media profiles, photo books, or picture frames. If not, they can also be remembered in our memories, and even in our skin.
Visible Signs of Change
Everyone has different skin, whether by shade, age, or gender. Some skins may be especially sensitive to certain fabrics whereas others may have an allergic reaction towards seafood. Regardless, there are a few signs of change that are shared across every person. They are:
Elasticity:
At an early age, humans have very firm, smooth skin that may change as we age. On the other hand, most elderly individuals typically have loose skin that may hang around certain portions of the body. This is best explained by a reduction in skin elasticity, the property of skin that maintains its firmness. As humans age, we are designed by nature to become weaker and lose a considerable amount of skin tissue, as well as bone density. Among these lost tissues are collagen and elastin, two tissues responsible for skin elasticity.
Fragility:
As skin elasticity is lost, the layers of our skin are greatly affected. Skin is separated into two layers: the epidermis and dermis. As we age, these layers begin to flatten, allowing them to tear quite easily. For this reason, older individuals may be more prone to injuries and wounds.
Transparency:
When looking at our skin, we are most likely to notice the color, or discoloration before any other quality. The opaque nature of skin means that the human eye would only be able to view surface features. When glancing at your hand, you would not expect to see bones and ligaments, as that would be frightening. Age can cause many bodily changes, including the loss of opaqueness. This does not mean that you will be able to view your bones under the skin, but rather, that it would become thin.
Texture:
One of the challenges many people face as they age is attempting to maintain smooth skin. A simple example of this is any career in construction. It is common for most construction workers to have rough hands after years of manual labor and minor injuries. Often, these are caused by callouses and the frequency of each minor injury, such as a scrape, cut, or bruise. While rough skin can be linked to your profession, it also has a direct correlation with age. As we grow older, our bodies lose their abilities to effectively retain water, resulting in dry, rough, and itchy skin.
What Factors can Affect the Appearance of Skin?
Did you know that biological age is not the only reason for aged skin? Our appearances are affected by plenty of factors, including gravity, body weight, skin disorders, facial movements, and habits. Loose or hanging skin can be caused by both gravity and your body weight. As the skin begins to lose its elasticity due to weight gain or loss, gravity will cause it to hang, rather than stay firm. Excess skin under the chin, stretch marks, skin tags, and varicose veins are all examples of what may occur under these conditions.
In some cases, skin can be affected by internal bodily processes rather than the environment or lifestyles. A few skin conditions, such as eczema, have a genetic basis. When a patient with eczema comes in contact with any substance or material that is deemed an allergen by the body, he/she may experience flare-ups. These symptoms are treated using medications or lifestyle changes.
Your skin can also say a lot about your personality. Facial details, such as laugh or frown lines, form after repeating the same facial movements for some time. Although these changes are typically not visible until a person has reached 30 years of age, they are indicative of which facial movements a person has made most in his/her lifetime. A few studies have also suggested that habits, such as smoking, may result in the appearance of wrinkles or aged skin.
How to Maintain Healthy Skin
What does having healthy skin mean for you? For some, it might mean skin that is soft and blemish-free. For others, it might mean having fewer wrinkles. All of these objectives can be accomplished through the right skincare routines. Depending on your skin type and any preexisting medical conditions, there are a few general guidelines to follow for improving the appearance of your skin:
1. Use Cold Water:
While taking a shower, you may feel tempted to use warm or hot water. Warm temperatures are great for relieving stress and relaxing; however, they can negatively affect the appearance of your skin and hair. Warm water strips both your hair and skin of their natural oils, leaving them dry and unhealthy. Cold water may feel uncomfortable at first, but your skin will maintain its natural glow even after you step out of the shower.
2. Moisturize:
Moisturizing is a particularly key step in maintaining healthy skin. After showering or washing your face, you should moisturize using a lotion that is recommended for your skin type. This will hydrate your skin and lock in much-needed moisture.
3. Choose the Right Products:
Plenty of popular skincare products are formulated using chemicals that most of us do not recognize. One tip to keep in mind is that if you do not recognize a few names on the list of ingredients, it is likely not safe for your skin. Fortunately, there are other great options out there, including mildly fragranced soaps and organic lotions. Using only a few ingredients, such as vitamin E, raspberries, and hyaluronic acid, our product, Hyaluronic Boost Youthfoil Face Mask nourishes, brightens, and hydrates the skin. These powerful antioxidants work together to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and protect against harmful substances. Regardless of skin type, this face mask will provide an instant glow to your skin and prove to be an important part of your skincare routine.
4. Use Sunscreen:
Sunlight or UV radiation is not something that we can avoid. While sunlight provides a healthy dose of vitamin D, frequent exposure can degrade melatonin, a pigment found in our skin. Eventually, this can lead to a reduction in skin elasticity and premature aging. If you frequently visit the outdoors, it is recommended to use a sunscreen that has an SPF of at least 30. Higher numbers will block more radiation, but a minimum of SPF 30 will block enough to maintain healthy skin.