7 attitudes to improve the quality of your skin –

Various factors such as wind, pollution, sunlight, chemicals and dust come into contact with our skin and can damage it. In addition, poor diet, sedentary lifestyle and adverse effects of medications can also have negative consequences for the skin. But, after all, how to protect it from impacts?

“Lately, several works have shown how some environmental aggressors and bad habits accelerate chronological aging. From the moment you reduce exposure to these aggressors and maintain healthy lifestyle habits, with an adequate skin-care routine and use of photoprotector, there is a profound change in the quality of the skin”, explains Dr. Mônica Aribi, member dermatologist of the Brazilian Society of Dermatology, the Brazilian Society of Dermatological Surgery and International Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology.

The doctor lists 7 important attitudes that you can start taking care of your skin health now.

1

USE OF THE SUN FILTER

Sun exposure without the use of sunscreen is one of the factors that most harm the skin. For this reason, sunscreen can be considered as the most important anti-aging cream. “Radiation affects the skin in different ways, but when exposure is chronic, there is cumulative damage, with damage even to the DNA of cells, which causes cell mutation reactions, with consequent premature photoaging, inflammation, melasma and an increase in risk of skin cancer”, says the dermatologist.

“The filter’s protection must be efficient against UVA and UVB radiation, but today, broad-spectrum sunscreen is increasingly recommended, which also protects against visible light and heat,” he adds. “This protector must have physical filters, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, associated with chemical filters to increase the degree of photoprotection, and may also have antioxidants in the formula. In addition to the filter, avoid direct exposure to the sun after 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., to avoid oxidative damage and the production of enzymes that degrade collagen, resulting in flaccid skin, with wrinkles and blemishes.”

two

SKINCARE ROUTINE

If you want to keep your skin beautiful and healthy, you need to have a daily care routine, even if they are basic. “The steps of cleaning, moisturizing and photoprotection are essential to keep the skin healthy and cared for. Always consult a dermatologist to prescribe rejuvenating substances such as alpha and polyhydroxy acids, retinoids, vitamin C, ferulic acid, vitamin E, peptides, antioxidants and growth factors,” says Dr. Monica.

The doctor also emphasizes the advantages of maintaining daily skincare habits. “They collaborate a lot for the hydration, luminosity and texture of the skin”.

3

SUGAR REDUCTION

According to the doctor, the relationship between the skin and food is quite interesting, as the food routine can accelerate or treat the aging process. “The intake of excess sugar in the diet contributes to a glycation process, which is when collagen and elastin fibers harden by reacting with these sugars. As a result, the skin loses flexibility and support. Sugar is also linked to the appearance of blemishes.”

“The accumulation of AGEs (advanced glycation species) generates inflammatory action and premature aging of the entire system. To reverse this situation, it is necessary to improve the diet, including more foods such as fiber, fruits, vegetables, herbs and spices, which contain important antioxidants”, adds the dermatologist.

“In the same way, it is important to pay attention to the choice of macronutrients, preferring good fats, low-glycemic carbohydrates and lean proteins in the appropriate amount”, emphasizes Dr. Monica, sharing suggestions for maintaining proper nutrition.

4

STRESS CONTROL

Considered the stress hormone, cortisol is directly linked to the potentialization of the inflammatory state in the skin, causing a reduction in the life span and activity of the cells. “And this contributes to accelerated aging”, says the doctor.

In addition, acne is a problem that also tends to manifest itself in patients who suffer from stress.

5

PRACTICE OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Regular physical exercise is beneficial for the whole body, including skin health. According to the doctor. Mônica Aribi, when moving the body, circulation is stimulated, improving the “nutrient and oxygen supply to all tissues”. “Also through the practice of exercises, our body is able to deal better with free radicals, with the extra production of endogenous antioxidants”, she details.

6

SLEEP QUALITY

Did you know that lack of sleep is related to the health and beauty of the skin?

According to the dermatologist, this happens due to the fact that “Not sleeping decreases the entire metabolism of the circadian cycle, which compromises the time needed for repair and regeneration to occur during the night period. So this affects the natural production of melatonin which is also part of our body’s primary antioxidant defense.”

7

BEWARE OF VICES

To have healthy skin, you need to think about giving up some addictions, such as cigarettes and alcoholic beverages, as they are harmful, according to the dermatologist.

“Cigarettes accelerate aging, as the toxic substances present are associated with peripheral vasoconstriction, reducing blood flow to the skin tissue and hair, which affects the delivery of nutrients to this region. This brings consequences in the loss of skin vigor and luminosity, in addition to favoring the yellowing of the tissue. There is also a loss of firmness due to reduced oxygenation and nutrition”.

“In the case of drinks, they are one of the worst and most aggressive compounds to destroy the skin. Excess alcohol can cause not only dehydration, but also systemic inflammation, which contributes to skin redness and aging. The first effect is dehydration, since alcohol actually draws all the fluid out of the skin. If you look at a woman who’s been drinking for 20 or 30 years and a woman her age who doesn’t drink, you’ll see a huge difference in her skin. This type of dehydration causes more wrinkles, which can make you look up to 10 years older. Alcohol also inflames the skin and is linked to worsening conditions such as dermatitis, rosacea and acne. The ideal is not to drink or not to make it a habit”, concludes the expert.