Human aging is a complex biological process, which is inevitable for everyone. Let us introduce you to what is aging, causes of aging and how to slow down aging.
The degree of skin aging is related to each person’s age, light exposure, heat and endocrine, nutritional status, lifestyle habits (alcoholism, smoking, staying up late, etc.). Among them, the role of light irradiation, mainly ultraviolet rays, is the most prominent. Ultraviolet irradiation can cause the increase of MMPs secreted by a variety of cells, causing excessive extracellular matrix degradation, resulting in damage to skin collagen and elastic fibres. Collagen is the main component of skin. Changes and deficiencies are the main reasons for the formation of wrinkles on photoaging and naturally aging skin. About 80% of facial cosmetic problems are caused by photoaging.
After the age of 40, due to the relaxation of skin and muscles, under the action of gravity, it will gradually sag and partially fold, forming gravity wrinkles. Common ones include eye bags, senile upper eyelid skin sagging, and double jaws.
- Eyelid: It is more common in the outer third of the upper eyelid. Due to gravity, the upper eyelid can sag with the gradual relaxation of the eyelid and the orbicularis muscle, and sometimes the lower eyelid can also gradually sag, and at the same time, “eye bubbles” are formed due to the hernia of the orbital septum from the diaphragm.
- Face: This type of wrinkles mostly occurs in the lower part of the face. As the fat under the eyelid fat pad is reduced, the skin on the eyebrows and cheeks becomes loose and wrinkles appear.
- Jaw: This type of wrinkle mostly occurs in the lower part of the jaw. Due to the reduction of subcutaneous fat, the skin of the lower jaw relaxes to form a “hanging jaw”.
- Neck: Postural wrinkles in the neck occur after middle age. Due to the progressive shrinkage of the subcutaneous tissue, the skin is loosened, and it is deepened by the action of gravity, especially in the front of the neck. The middle edge of the neck forms two sagging skin wrinkles.
Aging can’t be avoided. However, there are several measures you can take to help you slowing the process of aging:
Eat healthy:
The key to a healthy diet is to eat the right amount of calories for how active you are so you balance the energy you consume with the energy you use. Choose higher fibre or wholegrain varieties, such as whole-wheat pasta, brown rice or potatoes with their skins on. Processed food that are excessively added sugar, salt and fat are definitely no no.
Exercise:
The recommended 30 minutes of activity a day, 5 days a week, may seem reluctant in busy life but the good news is that even just 15 minutes of moderate activity a day can improve longevity. Walk the dog, ride a bike or take a fitness class. Any activity is better than nothing.
Get to sleep early:
Ideally, people ought to go to bed earlier and wake up in the early morning hours. This pattern matches our biological tendencies to adapt our sleep pattern with that of the sun. Get a good night of sleep every night and you’ll reduce your risk of heart disease and lower your stress levels.
