Is Your Skin Aging Prematurely?

While the aging process is inevitable, it does not mean we cannot achieve youthful, glowing skin as we grow older. The key lies in identifying the most common signs of premature aging along with finding out what’s causing them and making lifestyle and skincare adjustments to address those changes. 

Continue reading as we dive into the most common signs of premature skin aging. We also offer recommendations for rejuvenating your skin and maintaining your natural radiance. 

Wrinkles

You’re probably expecting wrinkles to be on top of the list. The most common ones are crow’s feet or the fine lines around your eyes, which are reminders or signs of accumulated smiles and laughter. These creases shouldn’t be much of a concern, but if they’re more abundant and prominent than you’d expect, it may be due to premature skin aging. 

The aging process is to blame, along with UV damage, which can take a toll on the skin’s underlying connective tissues. This can lead to more lines and wrinkles and causes existing ones to worsen or become deeper. These can be frustrating if they show up sooner than later. Dullness and wrinkly skin could also be due to:

• Dry skin or reduced sebum production
• Higher genetic predisposition to wrinkles
• Smoking
• Being constantly under stress

Pigmentation or uneven skin tone

Acne or pimples are the most common culprits of dark spots or pigmentation. Once a blemish has healed, it can leave a mark (or sometimes a scar) darker than your complexion. If you, however, notice dark spots that become darker as the days pass or freckles that pop out of nowhere, your skin might be aging prematurely.

There are lots of things to blame for skin pigmentation, including:

• Prolonged and unprotected sun exposure
• Vitamin deficiencies due to an unbalanced diet
• Hormonal changes
• Environmental pollutants
• Certain medications

Decreased elasticity or sagging skin

Elasticity, the skin’s ability to snap back into its original place after being stretched, naturally decreases over time. You might notice subtle signs of this as you look at your old photos or compare them to more recent ones. Droopy or sagging skin, however, could also be more noticeable and can show up sooner than we’d expect. This can be due to:

• Prolonged sun exposure
• Smoking
• Pollution
• Poor nutrition or unhealthy diet
• Sedentary lifestyle

Too much and unprotected UV exposure is probably the skin’s worst enemy, especially when keeping the skin supple and youthful. The effects vary from person to person and UV radiation can become harmful after about 5 to 10 minutes, particularly to those with fair skin. It is important to keep in mind, however, that all skin types can experience sun damage within an hour of exposure. 

How to protect your skin against premature aging

There is no single thing you can do to improve or reduce the signs of premature aging skin. Here are some helpful tips that can lessen the effects of the aging process and promote healthier, more youthful skin.

Protect your skin from the sun – This is one of the best ways to prevent premature aging. Here are a few tips that can help:

• Wear protective clothing, wraparound sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat when out in the sun.
• Seek shade or use an umbrella when outside.
• Limit exposure or stay inside when the sun’s rays are at their strongest, between 10 am and 4 pm.
• Wear sunscreen every day, even when cloudy. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 or higher.
• Reapply sunscreen throughout the day, about every two hours or after sweating, swimming, and toweling off.

Exercise regularly – Engage in moderate-intensity physical activity most days of the week. Add strength training to your routine, not only to get leaner, but also stronger and healthier. It is also worth noting that exercise can boost circulation and help stimulate collagen production.

Eliminate vices or unhealthy habits – These include smoking, excessive alcohol drinking, poor sleep, and eating a diet high in sugar or refined carbohydrates. These habits can cause inflammation in the body that may contribute to premature aging. 

Moisturize daily – Choose a face moisturizer with beneficial ingredients, such as hyaluronic acid and zinc. Dr. Sylvia’s Hydra Pro with MoistureLock Complex is a lightweight, non-greasy formula that can soothe, heal, and hydrate your skin. 

Manage stress – Too much stress can trigger inflammation and contribute to an increase in skin issues and premature aging. You can reduce or manage stress by exercising daily, meditation, yoga, or breathing exercises. 

Consider aesthetic treatments – Sanctuary by Cutis offers several aesthetic/anti-aging treatments in Singapore that can improve fine lines, wrinkles, mild skin laxity, pigmentation, and other visible signs of aging. Some procedures worth considering include:  

• Exilis Ultra 360 – combines radiofrequency and ultrasound technologies to tighten moderate skin laxity, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, as well as smooth and tone the skin.
• NIR Cinderella – uses pulsed infrared light to tighten loose skin on the face, neck, and other areas of the body. It can stimulate collagen growth to improve aging, sagging, and crepey-looking skin, as well as the skin’s texture, and evenness.
• Imperium Deep Restoration – features the use of Pulsed Crown RF, which creates 125 micro holes in the epidermis and emits pulsed radiofrequency. It can stimulate collagen and target the deeper layers to regenerate tissues, reduce deep wrinkles, and lift and firm the skin.
• 10D Care-9 – uses ultrasound and radiofrequency technology to lift and tighten the skin, as well as enhance its elasticity and texture. It helps produce new collagen over time to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, improve skin firmness, and brighten and smooth the skin.
• VI Peel Precision Plus – this chemical peel in Singapore is specifically designed for pigmentation concerns. It provides a deep peeling effect that can also promote rapid cell turnover, effectively penetrate damaged areas, and restore the skin’s health. It can improve melasma, sun damage, UV induced pigmentation, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH).

Make Sanctuary by Cutis your partner or skincare destination for achieving your beauty and skincare goals. Message us via WhatsApp at +65 9780 2079 to learn more or schedule an appointment.