The anti-aging secrets experts use !

As experts on the skin and everything that can possibly go wrong with it, dermatologists are some of the best resources available to learn how to keep our skin healthy and youthful for as long as possible! They have their fingers on the pulse of science and technology and have access to the newest surgeries, injections, peels, creams, lasers, and much, much more. However, we have found that their main recommendations don’t involve any scary lasers, injections, or surgeries! Instead, they recommend good habits and simple life changes to what we eat and drink that we can all take to slow down and prevent the appearance of aging and even begin to reverse it.

Top Tips from the Experts:

1. Choose antioxidants.

Antioxidants are among the most highly recommended ingredients for skincare products. Most dermatologists consider antioxidants in moisturizers essential to target the damage caused by free radicals and help prevent future damage to our skin cells. Just as antioxidants are recommended for the skincare products we apply topically, they are also recommended for the foods we eat! Foods rich in anti-oxidants, including vitamins C and E, are a must for aging skin.  Green tea, fruits, and dark chocolate are among the antioxidant-rich foods that  help  fight free radical damage. You’ll find  more information about these specific foods  and yummy recipes to try yourself later on in  this book!

 

2. Eat water-rich foods.

It’s well known that hydration is essential  for healthy, glowing skin. Water is critical to the health and functioning of so many of our  body’s organs - our skin is no exception!  However, rather than drinking your weight  in water, experts recommend that you eat  a diet rich in raw fruits and vegetables in  addition to your liquid hydration. These raw  foods (like lettuce, watermelon, broccoli,  grapefruit, and more) contain a lot of water  and our body can use them like it uses the  water we drink to keep us hydrated and healthy (although with fewer  trips to the bathroom!). Eating these water- rich raw fruits and veggies is also a great  way to get more anti-oxidants and fiber into  your diet.

3. Avoid crash diets.

Slimming down can be great for our health  and for our self-confidence, but losing weight  too quickly can indicate that you’re losing  water weight, not fat. This water weight loss  can show up in your face, making your facial  skin look more drawn and sagging. Therefore, when dieting, shoot for slow and steady  losses, not miracle/starvation diets! Also, be  sure to include foods that are high in zinc,  copper, and selenium as these are all skin-firming minerals!

4. Limit salt intake.

For healthier, hydrated skin, you may want to  hide your salt shaker! Salt collects in the skin  and carries water with it, which in turn can  cause puffiness and dryness. Most of the prepared foods we eat contain more than enough of our daily sodium needs, so try not to add excess salt to your meals.

5. Limit alcohol intake.

When it comes to alcohol, the experts advise moderation. Too much alcohol is detrimental to your skin’s appearance because it causes blood vessels to widen and dehydrates skin. Dehydration can cause dry skin as well as puffiness in delicate  spots, like under the eyes. In the short term, alcohol can make your skin look red and flushed. Long term excessive drinking can lead to permanent red blotches and unsightly broken blood vessels that  will require laser treatments to correct.

6. Brush Up!

Cosmetic dentists also have advice when it comes  to keeping your face as youthful and beautiful as  possible! Teeth tend to tint towards yellow as we  age, so always brush your teeth after drinking wine  or coffee. Condiments, such as ketchup and soy  sauce can also make your teeth susceptible to  stains. Look for toothpaste with whitening powers and try over-the-counter whitening strips once yearly. Use caution with teeth whitening, however, as excessive treatments can strip necessary enamel and damage your teeth.