Want to age less? Simple lifestyle habits to prevent skin aging

One of the biggest causes of skin aging is ultraviolet (UV) rays. UV rays cause wrinkles and pigmentation on the skin. They also increase the risk of various skin-related diseases, including skin cancer. When going outside, apply sunscreen carefully to protect your skin. At this time, sunscreen should be applied more generously than you might think. The recommended amount per use for adults is 0.8 to 1.2 grams. It is roughly the size of a finger segment or about the size of a 500-won coin. Apply it in thin, overlapping layers, and to maintain continuous UV protection, reapply every three hours.

To prevent skin aging, it is important to consume phytochemicals that are effective in antioxidant activity. Phytochemicals are chemical substances found in plants, and they are abundant in vegetables and fruits. When ingested, they help promote skin cell production through antioxidant effects and play a role in preventing aging. Types of phytochemicals include flavonoids, carotenoids, allicin, isoflavones, resveratrol, and polyphenols. Each type is found in different plants. It is more important to consume a variety of types rather than just one.

▶Flavonoids: strawberries, plums, blueberries, raspberries, grapes, cherries, red wine, green tea, etc.

 

▶Carotenoids: carrots, yellow sweet potatoes, green leafy vegetables, etc.

 

▶Allicin: garlic, onions, cabbage, radish, mushrooms, etc.

 

▶Isoflavones: soybeans, tofu, soybean paste, fermented soybean paste, etc.

 

▶Resveratrol: berries such as mulberries, grapes, raspberries, and cranberries

 

Polyphenols: green tea, strawberries, eggplant, grapes, black beans, red beans, etc.

Refrain from actions such as scrubbing off dead skin, including pushing off keratin. The stratum corneum is the outermost layer of the epidermis, composed of dead cell membranes and the lipid components filling the spaces between them. The stratum corneum functions to protect the skin. Because it is very loosely attached, most of it can be removed simply by pushing with a tissue. Scrubbing off dead skin removes the most important layer necessary for skin protection. Additionally, continuous scrubbing can cause skin inflammation. Immediately after scrubbing, the thickness of the stratum corneum decreases, and cytokines are secreted from keratin-forming cells. Excessive secretion of these substances can attract inflammatory cells to the area, leading to skin inflammation. People who scrub their skin harshly or frequently are more prone to skin conditions such as irritant dermatitis or dry dermatitis, which cause redness and rashes.

Do not stay too long in saunas and jjimjilbangs. Of course, proper bathing promotes blood circulation, relieves fatigue, and alleviates muscle soreness after exercise. However, staying too long in saunas and jjimjilbangs raises the skin temperature. In fact, an experiment measuring the skin temperature of people sitting in a steam room showed that the normal skin temperature of 31-32℃ exceeded 40℃. Prolonged exposure to such high temperatures can weaken the skin due to heat stimulation, potentially accelerating aging.

Good sleep is also important for the skin. It is recommended to go to bed as early as possible before 10 PM. Growth hormone, which prevents aging, is actively secreted between 10 PM and 2 AM. Getting enough sleep makes the metabolism more active, resulting in smoother and more moisturized skin. If you go to bed too late, you miss out on the benefits of growth hormone and also lose the opportunity for your skin to recover its health. In fact, a study conducted in the United States found that people who do not get enough sleep show more signs of aging, such as fine wrinkles and irregular pigmentation, compared to those who sleep sufficiently.

To prevent skin aging, quitting smoking is essential. Smoking accelerates skin aging rapidly. It also causes nasolabial folds by frequently using the muscles around the mouth. According to a study by the Department of Dermatology at Seoul National University College of Medicine, people who smoked a pack a day for over 30 years showed skin aging signs 2.8 times more than those who never smoked. Those who smoked more than a pack a day for 50 years exhibited aging signs 5.5 times more severe. When smoking, thousands of harmful substances enter the body. Remember that it can negatively affect not only the skin but the entire body.