Are You Paying To Age Yourself?

It's surprising how much we are in control of our own aging process. Approximately, 10% of aging is natural and the other 90% is what we expose ourselves to. Though our genes and environmental factors can work for us or against us, we still have to keep both our hands on the wheel of aging.

Natural aging is actually a very slow process but when we subject ourselves to certain factors or bad habits, we accelerate that process. Some individuals even pay to accelerate aging but maybe aren't aware they are doing it, . . . until now!

The two habits that will put you on the FAST TRACK to premature aging are SMOKING and TANNING! Let me explain;

SMOKING ~ This bad habit will in fact break down your supply of collagen. Collagen is a strong protein substance that gives our skin structure and makes up approximately 70% of our Dermis. Collagen also plays a significant role in maintaining your skins elasticity, which will naturally decrease with age, but smoking accelerates that process. Smoking invites free radicals into your body and once there, they will damage your DNA. Smoking also narrows blood vessels, depleting it of oxygen, nutrients and vitamins. This nasty habit will only lead to overall, poor health and will make you look older than your true age.

The average pack of cigarettes cost over $5.00 and if someone smokes a pack a day that simply means they are paying $1,825.00 per year to speed up the aging process. In ten years that comes to over $18,000.00, which is more than the average cost of a Facelift or six times as much as an annual vacation. I'll take the vacation!

TANNING ~ More common among teenagers but can also become an addictive behavior carried into adulthood, with men and women. Whether you are tanning inside at a salon with damaging bulbs or outside with the natural sunlight, you are also inducing the aging process. Exposure to UV rays accelerate the effects of aging and increase your risks of many types of skin cancers like Melanoma. Skin cancers used to be more common in people in their 40's and 50's but now can and will be found in people as young as their 20's. Sun damage will eventually create sagging and wrinkles that are irreversible. Tanning can also damage your immune system and eye sight.

Tanning Salon owners are always "giving away" FREE tanning packages to suck you into their establishment and then offer you "unlimited tanning" for the crazy price of $15.00 per month or less! To the average, uneducated, teenager that SOUNDS LIKE A DEAL! But, any amount of money you pay someone to speed up your aging process is too much! You may like the way you look now when your glowing tan looks great in your prom dress but 20 years from now when your damage makes it's way to the surface, you may wish you didn't have to bring Hyperpigmentation as your date to your 20 year reunion.

The daily use of SPF (Sun Protection Factor) with both UVA and UVB protection can decrease these risks and keep you looking your age or even younger. Also, SPF for your face should be fragrance free and noncomedogenic (it won't clog your pores). Be wise when you are in the sun and remember to re-apply your sunscreen every 60 to 90 minutes because the product will break down from sweating, swimming and reflection of snow and water. More importantly, STOP paying to age yourself! Your skin will thank you.