According to medical experts, obvious aging usually begins at age 25. At this point, the body starts producing less collagen, and hormones fluctuate more often. This is why many people notice physical changes like less skin elasticity, weight changes, and more. Thankfully, this process is usually gradual, and effects are subtle over the years.
That said, for some, the signs of aging can manifest earlier and more obviously. This is called premature aging. Although premature aging can look different for everyone, here are some of the most common signs and their possible treatments:
1. Sun Spots
Also called age or liver spots, sun spots look like large flat freckles on the skin. The color of these depends on the person’s complexion, but they range from light to dark brown. This is considered a form of hyper-pigmentation brought on by years of sun exposure. The most damaging rays from the sun are the Ultra violet rays (UV) which can cause skin cancer for the susceptible individuals. Ultra violet radiation has different components falling under the spectrum depending upon their wave lengths. The long wavelength UVA falling between 315 nm and 400 nm penetrate our skins, glass and clouds and perhaps responsible for causing cancer.
UVB rays have wavelengths between 280 nm and 315 nm and can cause skin aging to skin cancer. To prevent sun spots from appearing or from multiplying, the best practice is to wear sunscreen. Among the thousands of options available, the best sunscreens are those that offer board spectrum SPF protection. This way, they can block both harmful UVA and UVB rays. Just make sure to use one with at least SPF 15 and to reapply every two hours. This protects your skin from blistering, hyper-pigmentation, and skin cancers.
2. Thinning Hair
As we age, our hair follicles naturally become more prone to breakage. This results in thinner hair that causes receding hairlines and sparser lashes and brows. While your genetics also play a role in the thickness or thinness of your body hair, there are ways to help keep them fuller for longer. For the eyelashes and eyebrows, try incorporating a hair conditioning serum. Ideally, you can use a lash serum with nurturing ingredients like keratin to fortify hair. This makes them less brittle, therefore helping create longer and stronger hairs. Meanwhile, on your head, try using shampoos with amino acids. With regular use, your scalp health will improve and generate more hair.
3. Crow’s Feet
Among the first wrinkles you may see are crow’s feet. These are fine lines that occur on the sensitive skin around the eye area. The Crow’s feet are wrinkles mostly appearing in parallel around the edges of both eyes on the facial skin. Frequent sun exposure, smoking, and squinting can cause this to present itself earlier. To treat this, add a moisturizing eye cream to your skincare. Because you want to address any dryness around the eye, look for creams that have nourishing oils like castor, almond, or avocado. These are all rich moisturizers that can soothe the skin and help keep the delicate area looking more youthful. If you can, look for Vitamin C in your products, too. This brightening ingredient helps banish dark circles which often accompany the fine lines around the eye.
4. Gaunt Hands
It’s often said that aging first shows on the neck and face, but it can also show on your hands. During the aging process, the skin on the hands gets thinner and less full. This causes wrinkles and veins to be more obvious. Although there is no way to truly retain the fats that keep younger hands from looking too thin, you can treat them to avoid emphasizing a bony look. One easy way to do this is with a high-quality hand moisturizer for beautiful hands. During hotter seasons, you can use a lightweight option, then you can switch to a richer version when it gets colder. Moisturizers like those with Shea butter are especially effective at keeping the skin soft and supple. Try to moisturize thrice a day for the best results.
It can be frightening when signs of aging present themselves sooner than you hoped. But premature aging doesn’t have to be a scary or sad experience. There are many over-the-counter remedies you can use, plus plenty of specialists who can help you through the process. Remember, aging is a natural part of life anyway. With a positive attitude and the right self-care regimen, you can age gracefully and happily.