Have you fantasized about finding the fountain of youth? If so, you are not alone.
In a survey reported by Allure magazine, women spend $300,000 on beauty products in their lifetime. What about the cost of makeup for everyday use? On average, women have $8 to $11 worth of products on their face on any given day. Face washes and eye creams can be pricey! But clearly, women value staying young and looking their best.
For many of us, our impatience for results can mean not sticking with a routine long enough to see the improvements we want. While many of us may benefit from learning patience, there are ways to look 10 years younger in record time.
Consider Skin Resurfacing Treatments for Skin Conditions and Deep Damage
Have scars or stretch marks on your face? What about lines and wrinkles? Looking for something that will tighten and firm, but don't want to go under the knife? Skin resurfacing, also called Fractional Therapy, might be just the thing for you. According to Laronn Clinique), "Fractional Therapy laser modality uses energy to create micro-ablated channels deep in the dermal tissue, covering only a fraction of the total surface area and leaving the surrounding skin intact for faster healing and increased comfort. The wound-healing process produces fibroblasts that generate new collagen, plumping the skin and correcting skin imperfections." Recovery times for skin resurfacing treatments vary, but most individuals can expect a full recovery within a 2- to 5-day time frame.
Eliminate Sugar For One Week
Ever notice how your skin takes a hit after bingeing on doughnuts or chocolate? Here's why: when you eat sugar, which includes simple carbohydrates like white flour, your body can experience a burst of inflammation. In this inflamed state, your body cannot effectively produce the collagen it needs for firm skin. Instead, with regular sugar and white flour consumption, what you get is skin that sags and decreases in elasticity over time. What if you were to go on a sugar fast? You can expect to see results as quickly as 72 to 96 hours, according to Dr. Harold Lancer, Beyoncé's personal dermatologist. Remember, it's not just the typical sugar culprits to watch out for. Simple carbs are foods that the body quickly digests as sugar, which also can trigger an inflammatory response.
What you wolf down in a moment of stress eating will eventually show up on your skin, so the next time you are tempted by that chocolate bar, imagine it aging you by a couple of years. That might help you find a better alternative to snack on. Go for complex carbohydrates instead. For example, eat more brown rice, whole wheat products and vegetables.
New research has begun to point to exercise as being a method for reversing the skin's aging process. In a study conducted by McMaster University, researchers observed volunteers who were 65+. The volunteers were asked to begin a training program that included either cycling or jogging for about 30 minutes twice per week. After 3 months where volunteers continued this exercise regimen, the subjects' skin was re-examined. Researchers found that the volunteers' skin now looked quite different from the original samples taken from them. Their outer and inner skin layers no longer looked similar to those of a 65-year-old. Instead, they looked closer to skin associated with those in their 20s or 40s. Perhaps one of the reasons for this dramatic change has to do with how exercise promotes blood flow throughout the body. With greater blood flow, your skin receives more nutrients that are carried through the bloodstream to skin cells.
Polish Your Smile
Have you found yourself hiding your teeth as you smile, or avoiding photo opportunities? Have you asked yourself why? It could be that you have been subconsciously aware of your teeth's yellowing trend. Having a bright smile is an easy way to take years off your appearance. Conversely, having a dull or yellowing smile can pile on the years past. The benefits of taking care of your teeth do not end there. Investing in your appearance by going in for teeth whitening appointments can have a cascade effect on overall oral health. How? If you are maintaining the whiteness of your teeth, you may be more likely to pay attention to trending topics related to the health of your teeth and gums. The possible result of taking care of discolored teeth? Overall improvements in oral health for the price of one step forward.
Written by Guest Author for The Healthy Moms Magazine and legally licensed through the Matcha publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@getmatcha.com.