Face-Savers 

Ways to knock years off your looks

Many other things can contribute to a less than ideal complexion, besides pimples and blemishes.

First, a pop quiz: What's the number one thing that will rob the skin of its beauty, make it look rough and blotchy, and cause you to look years older than you are?  If you haven't figured it out by now, it’s the sun.  I'm sure I sound like a broken record, but I must repeat myself, because it’s so important for you to take in this information.

The sun ages the skin rapidly, powerfully, cumulatively, and indiscriminately. Because it directly affects multiple skin layers, the sun can cause splotchy coloring and broken blood vessels. Over time, cumulative sun exposure can damage the collagen (the springy support structure of the skin), causing sagging and wrinkles.  Skin that has been spared the damage of sun exposure simply looks better, healthier, and definitely younger.

In this day and age, to protect yourself against the sun is nearly impossible. That's why we must settle for the next option: Sun protection. The concept of sun protection encompasses sun-protective clothing as well as sunscreens. The best shield against extrinsic aging caused by the sun is by wearing sunscreen every day, and by re-applying it frequently throughout the day during long exposures. Because UV damage is cumulative, the prevention of even small amounts of sun damage over a long period of time can have a profound impact on the total amount of UV-induced damage.

 So, how do you handle this sneaky beauty burglar? Sunscreen, sunscreen, and more sunscreen.   Find one that protects against both ultraviolet UVA and UVB rays.  Ignore the myths that "It doesn't wash off," "It's waterproof," and the ever popular, "Well, I already had some sun, so why bother now?" Choose a photostable sunscreen that will be still effective after sitting in a car or your purse (Safesun Z SPF 30). 

Click here for more sun protection tips.

Smoking is the next big beauty burglar.  We know that smoking is bad for our skin but what exactly does it do to it and how? Smoking affects the distribution of oxygen in the blood to skin cells in the same way it affects the heart's circulation-by preventing the cells from getting the oxygen and nutrients they need.  Because it allows less oxygen to get to the skin's cells, smokers (as well as those who inhale lots of secondhand smoke, as at a nightclub) often look pasty-faced.  If you smoke, you are undermining even the best attempts to maintain a youthful, healthy complexion.  You also are likely to get unattractive smoker's lines around your mouth.  Another negative effect of smoking is that it markedly lengthens the time it takes for a wound to heal, which you need to consider if you are considering any kind of facial surgery or other rejuvenating procedure. Smoking also stains your gums, your teeth, your nails and your breath.

Stress is the third beauty burglar. When you are stressed, your blood vessels constrict, causing increased wear and tear on the cardiovascular system.

Lack of sleep is the fourth beauty burglar. Sleep is absolutely essential to looking your best. If you don't get a good night sleep, you'll pay for it with a droopy-looking face.  Why?  As your systems try to shut down, muscles become fatigued, and the face begins to sag and droop.  Your skin can also take on a sallow appearance, as your pulse and blood pressure drop, causing less blood to pump into the face-not an attractive way to look.

Poor diet is yet another beauty burglar. Basically, if you don't eat a well-balanced diet and don't provide your body with the correct vitamins and nutrients, your skin won't look its best.  You also need to drink lots of water (eight 8-ounce glasses per day).

Moderate your intake of tea, coffee, alcohol, sugar and junk food:

Consuming excessive amounts will negatively affect the body intake of essential vitamins and minerals.

Prevent sleep lines by sleeping on your back.

Control your facial expressions: Try to refrain from frowning or squinting habitually. 

Smile:  you will look years younger. When you are young smiling causes wrinkles. But when you are old smile all the time – it hides them.

Exercise your body: it increases the rate of cell production, oxygenates cells, tones the muscles and keeps skin looking younger. Avoid facial muscle exercises as they age your skin faster.

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