Wrinkles are an inevitable part of the aging process and have spurned the beauty industry to develop all kinds of products. From chemical peels, countless creams, laser procedures and botox injections…men and women have a lot of options to choose from in their attempts to turn back the signs of time. What many people forget or perhaps don’t realize is that there are a lot of natural treatments if you want to maintain youthful skin.
Why Wrinkles Happen
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Wrinkles develop as a result of the gradual wearing away of the outer layer of our skin, known as the epidermis. When the cells in the deepest part of the epidermis; the dermis, dies and becomes smaller, the skin loses elasticity and wrinkles form.
Dermatologists suggest if people want to look younger, they should first understand what skin is made of. After all, skin is the largest organ in the body and we can’t survive without it. Skin is 70 per cent water, 25 per cent protein and 2 per cent lipids. The remainder is trace minerals and other chemicals. The condition of the outer layer of your skin (epidermis) determines how well your skin absorbs and holds moisture. The wrinkles are formed in the lower layers.
Foods to Look Younger
Since skin is made of protein a diet high in protein makes sense. Lean sources of protein are obviously the best since they are low in fat. Protein isn’t the only food that can help you maintain youthful skin. Linoleic acids can reduce the appearance of wrinkles. Walnuts, flaxseeds, soy, and corn are high in linoleic acid.
It is no secret that certain vitamins have a place in the treatment of wrinkles so consuming foods that are rich in these essential vitamins can have a positive impact on our skin. For instance vitamin E has antioxidants that are good for our skin and can help us look younger. Foods that are high in vitamin E include peanut butter, spinach, and almonds, just to name a few. Vitamin C is important for collagen production. Studies show it can help reverse damage from overexposure to the sun. Oranges, limes, broccoli, blueberries, and tomatoes are good options in the vitamin C family of foods.
Cold-water fish, such as tuna and salmon is high in Omega 3; long considered a good source for healthy skin. If you have concerns about your fish source, you can always take a fish oil supplement.
The Chinese have invested a great deal of time in the use of food and herbs in both disease prevention and anti-aging. Their work shows that white tea, green tea, soy, fish, and ginseng all promote youthful skin. In a recent controlled study capsules containing red ginseng powder were consumed by close to 100 people for 24 weeks. Facial wrinkles, elasticity, pigmentation, water content and redness of the skin were measured at 12 and 24 weeks. The results showed that the participants, who were between 40 and 70, experienced an improvement in the appearance of wrinkles. The study did not show any major changes in elasticity; however, a component of elastic fiber was significantly elongated.
According to research in both the United States and Asia, ginseng isn’t the only herb that can help us look younger and avoid those dreaded wrinkles. Although much more study in this area is warranted, early investigation shows the following herbs have promise when it comes to maintaining youthful skin.
• Witch Hazel
• Burdock Root
• Oat Straw
• Thyme
• Dandelion
• Horsetail
The above herbs are said to smooth texture, tone and strengthen the skin.
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Although there is no definitive evidence to date, some naturopaths and dermatologists say they have seen positive results with certain oils, including rose oil and grape seed extract.
A mountain of scientific information exists on the consumption of water and its impact on our body. Medical professionals at some of the top research institutions in the world, including the Mayo clinic, suggest that drinking 8 to 10 glasses of water daily will help our bodies function better. This includes giving us healthier skin. Moisture makes skin look suppler and smoother studies have concluded.
No matter what you decide to try in order to look younger, keep in mind that there is always the possibility of an allergic reaction. It is best to discuss your plans with your doctor or dermatologist first to avoid any potential problems.
