Common Causes of Damaged Skin

Although skin naturally ages over time, some factors, like excessive sun exposure and other lifestyle factors, can accelerate this process. The metabolic changes set in motion can cause wrinkles and lines as well as age spots and cancer. You can take precautions to protect your appearance and health from the usual suspects.

The leading cause of damaged skin – excessive sun exposure – is also a primary risk factor for skin cancer. Ultraviolet rays break down collagen and elastin that help your skin appear smooth and supple. Melanocytes may also be affected, which can lead to changes in the pigmentation of your skin. Once the collagen, elastin and melanocytes are weakened, wrinkles and brown age spots can appear. It is recommended that you avoid the sun during the middle of the day when the ultraviolet rays are the most harmful. You should also wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen.

An unhealthy diet is another major risk factor for premature skin aging. A nutritious diet provides the essential building blocks that your body needs to produce healthy skin cells. A diet laden with sugar and fatty foods has been shown to accelerate the aging process. Released by oxidative stress, free radicals are unstable molecules that scientists believe may react to the sun’s ultraviolet rays, damage the DNA and cause skin cancer. To lessen the effects of free radicals, you should eat a diet rich in antioxidants, and use skin products that contain vitamins C and E.

In addition to their wide-ranging, harmful impact on your overall health, smoking and alcohol are documented to cause damaged skin. Smoking causes your blood vessels to constrict, which decreases the amount of blood, oxygen and nutrients flowing to the outer layers of your skin. The lack of nutrients also causes your skin to heal more slowly and wrinkle easier. Smoking thickens the elastic fibers in the skin, which prevents it from snapping back. This causes your skin to sag. Too much alcohol can dehydrate your skin. Dry, undernourished skin ages faster. To avoid damaged skin, you should limit your alcohol intake and quit smoking.

Every home, as well as the outdoor environment, contains chemicals and other pollutants, like cleaning products and pesticides, that can irritate the skin. Each person’s skin will react differently to these substances. In some cases, these irritants may cause redness, burning sensations and dermatitis. People with sensitive skin are more susceptible to problems associated with these chemicals. Wear gloves and protective clothing, or avoid contact with these potentially harmful substances to avoid damaged skin.

The effects of the sun and other environmental factors may have already caused your skin to age prematurely. There is no reason that you cannot fight back. Schedule an appointment at Laser Skin Solutions Jacksonville to learn about our treatment options. We offer a wide variety of skin rejuvenating services that are specifically designed to help treat aging and damaged skin. A skin care professional will discuss your options with you and select the treatment that will provide the best possible results. Contact us today to schedule your appointment at our office in Jacksonville Beach.

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