As we age, our skin undergoes natural wear and tear , just like the rest of our bodies. But much of what we think of as natural aging is actually due to exposure to factors like the sun . That means it can be prevented , and it’s never too late to start.
Normal skin aging: Collagen, elastin and sagging skin
Underneath our skin is a network of collagen and elastin , proteins that keep our skin firm. When our skin is stretched, this protein matrix snaps it back into place. As we age, this network of fibers weakens and our skin sags because it loses its supporting structure. Other unavoidable forces contribute to skin aging:
- The skin becomes thinner and loses fat with age. The softness of our skin as a child is replaced by a rougher texture.
- Gravity pulls relentlessly on the weakened skin, causing, for example, the cheeks or the skin under the arms to sag.
- Our genetic code also contributes invisibly to this process. In some people, this contributes to a skin that still looks 50 at 80, and in others, unfortunately, the opposite.
None of this so-called "intrinsic aging" of the skin can be avoided. But did you notice that we haven't said anything about wrinkles?
Preventing Skin Aging: Sun Damage
In fact, most of the skin changes that come with aging are preventable. And most of them are due to one cause: sun damage . The sun’s ultraviolet rays penetrate the skin. There, they damage the elastic fibers that keep the skin firm, which can cause wrinkles. Sunlight is also responsible for the appearance of age spots or “liver spots” on the hands, face, and other areas.
The amount of wrinkles that develop and how noticeable they are largely depends on a person’s lifetime exposure to the sun . While we can’t go back and apply sunscreen to our carefree 10-year-old selves, we can stop the damage that’s happening now:
- Stop sunbathing intentionally. Any tan means that the skin is damaged.
- Always wear sunscreen. Choose a product with a sun protection factor (SPF) of 15 or higher. The hands and face are the most exposed, cover them as much as possible.
- Wear a hat with a brim that protects you from the sun.
- Avoid the sun between 10am and 3pm, when the rays are strongest.
Even with perfect sunscreen use, wrinkles cannot be completely prevented. Some wrinkles are hereditary , and a certain amount of wrinkling is natural with age.
The connection between nutrition and skin
The skin is constantly fighting the sun and is constantly repairing and regenerating itself . Your skin needs the right nutrition to stay young and healthy. If you eat a lot of junk food , you are also feeding your skin junk food. Antioxidants such as vitamins C and E, as well as vitamin A and the B vitamin biotin are particularly important for healthy skin. You can find them in vegetables and fruit or take them as a supplement.
Our parents have given us many gifts genetically. Perhaps the genes for good skin were one of yours. But no matter what kind of skin you inherited, you can take action to protect the skin you have and keep it healthy . Metis supplements can help support better skin.
Pharmacist Dirk
Founder Metis Supplements
