In retrospect, virtually everything can affect your skin. If you are concerned about the well-being of your skin, it’s vital to familiarize yourself with the various elements that can damage your skin.
When it comes to protecting your skin, thorough cleaning, hydrating, and wearing sunscreen goes a long way in ensuring your skin is free from damage.
However, some culprits are hidden and can cause dryness, redness, and wrinkles if the appropriate action is not taken. Having prior knowledge of these harmful agents can help you steer clear of the damage they cause and their aging effects.
When it comes to protecting your skin, thorough cleaning, hydrating, and wearing sunscreen goes a long way in ensuring your skin is free from damage.
However, some culprits are hidden and can cause dryness, redness, and wrinkles if the appropriate action is not taken. Having prior knowledge of these harmful agents can help you steer clear of the damage they cause and their aging effects.
1. Excessive Sun Exposure
You have probably heard of the skin relying on the sun on to manufacture vitamin D, which is vital for the formation and strengthening of bones.
While this is true, the sun contains UV rays responsible for severe skin damage by reducing its elasticity resulting in premature aging.
Although the outer layer of the skin contains melanin, which is a protective pigment, excessive sun exposure has premature aging effects.
While tanning is a preferred option for most people looking to darken their skin tone by activating the production of melanin, it can leave you vulnerable to UV rays.
Sun exposure can be beneficial as long as you have protection from overexposure, which leads to sunburn and, in the worst-case scenario, skin cancer.
Repeated sun exposure can cause severe damage to your skin, but there are steps you can take to mitigate these issues. It’s advisable always to wear sunscreen, limit your time in the sun, wear protective clothing, and regularly consult a skin care professional.
Reducing your exposure to the sun can prevent the production of free radicals, which damage skin and DNA. That’s why it is advisable to maintain a diet rich in vitamin E, vitamin C, and antioxidants which are key to avoiding skin damage.
2. Smoking Cigarettes
There are thousands of harmful substances in cigarette smoke, including carcinogens and mutagens. Smoking tobacco is associated with various medical conditions such as lung disease, heart disease, and cancer.
Aside from these severe illnesses, it also affects the body’s ability to protect your skin by causing premature aging, delayed wound healing, and an increase in the amount of infection.
According to the American Osteopathic College of Dermatology, many cigarette smokers are affected by inflammatory skin diseases compared to non-smokers.
Smoking can cause discoloration of the nails, teeth, and fingers into a yellowish pigment. It can also turn the tongue dark and leathery. Long-term cigarettes include uneven skin pigmentation, dry skin, deeper facial wrinkles, a saggy jawline, and baggy eyes.
Smoking reduces your blood flow, affecting the body’s healing ability by obstructing inflammation.
Many dermatologic diseases are linked to smoking, such as psoriasis, palmoplantar pustulosis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. The best way to protect your skin and avoid skin damage is to avoid smoking and visit a skin dermatology expert.
3. Chemical Irritants
Chemical irritants can cause issues such as contact dermatitis, it’s a condition that causes the skin to become sore, red, or inflamed after coming into contact with certain substances.
There are two types of contact dermatitis: allergic contact dermatitis and irritant dermatitis. Although it’s difficult to determine whether you react to a specific substance, most people experience discomfort and irritation resulting from the chemical burn.
Common causes for allergic contact dermatitis include: Poison ivy, Cosmetic chemicals in perfumes and skin care products, and Jewelry made from gold and nickel.
On the other hand, causes for irritant dermatitis include toxic substances such as bleach, detergents, pepper spray, battery acid, and many more. Soap can also irritate, despite being a less irritating substance.
If you want to soothe itchy skin, most dermatologists recommend applying an ice pack or wet cloth on the affected part for at least ten minutes.
If symptoms persist, an oatmeal bath can be helpful, especially when dealing with oozing skin or blisters. Regardless of your preferred treatment option, a professional should check a chemical burn to prevent any severe damage.
4. An Unhealthy Diet
Healthy skin plays a vital role in feeling since it acts as a barrier between the external environment and your internal organs. This means we rely on our skin to protect us from toxins and pathogens by focusing on factors such as hygiene, genetics, and other lifestyle habits.
Although most people don’t consider what they eat to contribute to healthy skin, studies have shown that diet is essential to healthy skin.
Failure to maintain a healthy diet leaves you susceptible to nutrient deficiencies that hurt your skin. Ensuring your diet comprises of vegetables and fruits provides a steady supply of vitamin C, and fortified dairy products boost the supply of vitamin D.
If you combine this with nuts rich in zinc and omega-3 fatty acids, such as cashews, pecans, and almonds, you are underway to achieving lustrous, healthy skin.
Individuals who suspect they have a nutrition-related skin condition are advised to consult a medical professional. This will allow the medical expert to determine the condition’s cause and recommend the most effective treatment to complement your diet.
5. Repetitive Facial Movements and Expressions
Facial expressions and movements communicate an individual’s behavioral intention and emotional state. Whether you are squinting, frowning, smiling, or any other habitual facial expression, you are likely to develop wrinkles that become prominent over time.
The repetition of these facial movements results in the development of fine lines, affecting the youthfulness and elasticity of your skin.
It’s advisable to invest in certain skin care products such as sunscreen or products that prevent the development of wrinkles.
It is advisable to consult an expert cosmetic dermatologist to find available solutions to rejuvenate your skin to its former glory.
With this information, you can take the necessary steps to ensure you steer clear of the common culprits responsible for damaging your skin.
Regularly visiting a skin expert goes a long way in helping you maintain healthy skin and protects it from various skin-damaging agents.
Cosmetic dermatology procedures from Front Range Dermatology Associates such as Botox, Dermal Fillers, Microneedling, IPL, or PRP can also go a long way in helping to combat the culprits that damage your skin. Contact us today to learn more or to schedule an appointment with our cosmetic dermatologist.