by Susan Trost

 

Whoa - Who is that in the Mirror?

The changes seem subtle at first - a new line here, a new wrinkle there, but one day you will look in the mirror and wonder who is looking back at you! What happened?

Many factors impact how your skin and body age and looks - genetics, weight changes, nutrition, skin care routine and products, hydration, smoking, facial expressions, sleep quality and quantity, overall health, sun exposure, environmental toxin exposure and stress levels. Damage occurs by free radicals at a cellular level and is called oxidative stress. The dark circles, age spots, wrinkles, acne (yes - even after the teen years), fine lines and sagging skin combine together to crease and image that you don't recognize. Who is that old and tired looking person?

What to do NOW -regardless of your age:

1. Facial Exercises:

We exercise (or should) the rest of our bodies, but for some reason the 57 muscles of our face and neck are ignored. Firming and toning the muscles will help support the skin. A contracting muscle has 10 times greater blood flow. Blood flow brings in oxygen, nutrients and takes away toxins from the skin and tissues. My favorite book is called Facial Fitness by Patricia Goroway. Squeeze in a few exercises while driving, watching TV or working on the computer. After a few weeks, I could tell a difference in my face, neck, complexion and jaw line. I wish I had started the exercises when I was younger!

2. Facial Massage:

Light massage of the skin increases blood flow. In the past, I always tried to avoid touching my face, but with a good lotion the fingers glide instead of tug at the skin.

3. Sunscreen:

Use at least a 15 SPF every day on the face, neck, chest and back of your hands (don't forget your hands as they will give away your age every time!). Be sure to get a broad spectrum product that protects from UVA and UVB rays. Take time to research the sunscreens on http://www.ewg.org/skindeep/ as many have ingredients that are toxic to the body. How I wish I had avoided some of the sunburns and exposure earlier in my life.

4. Nutrition:

Good nutrition supports your body at a cellular level. Watch how your body reacts to certain foods. There are many people with undiagnosed food allergies that create chronic low grade inflammation in the body. Avoid the foods that cause inflammation, joint pain, gastrointestinal discomfort, and zap your energy. Avoid sugar as it creates AGES - Advanced Glycation End products. These age your body and are linked to many chronic diseases. A well balanced diet of Omegas, proteins, fruits, veggies and nuts will benefit your skin and your energy is so many ways. Organic produce is the best choice. See the article on organics to know which fruits and veggies are worth getting organic. http://livinghealthiernow.com/health_aricles_6.html Of course, adequate hydration with good quality bio-available water is very important to your skin and your health too.

5. Stress Reduction and Sleep:

Stress and sleep quality go hand in hand. Deep breathing, mediation, laughter, music and exercise are easy ways to reduce the impacts of stress in your body. Give your body the opportunity to get 7-8 hours of uninterrupted sleep every night. Trouble sleeping? See the Sleep article at http://livinghealthiernow.com/health_aricles_6.html for tips on better sleep hygiene.

6. Organic Skin Care Products:

Chances are you are exposing yourself to an average of 126 chemicals per day by using 10 personal care products. Although many of the toxic chemicals are in small amounts, it is the day after day, year after year buildup of these chemicals in your body and fat issues that creates problems. Look for certified organic skin care products. Check out the Toxic 12 List. What you put on your skin is in your blood stream in 30 seconds. Unfortunately, the cosmetics industry is unregulated in the U.S. Be careful as labeling can be very misleading. Check out your products at www.cosmeticdatabase.com. The full article is available at http://livinghealthiernow.com/health_aricles_6.html. I personally use a certified organic skin care line called True Elements from Nikken. It is certified organic by an independent source dealing with how it is grown, processed and packaged. More info is available at www.nikken.com/trost.

7. Dry Lymphatic Brushing:

Invest in a special brush and stimulate your lymphatic system with a daily brushing. Muscle movement, brushing and massage help move bacteria and waste out of the skin cells then out of the body. Brush upwards from the legs in short quick strokes and up the arms starting from the finger tips. Avoid the face and neck. Finish by brushing towards the heart area.

We only had time to hit some highlights, so be sure to look over the list of all the things that contribute to aging. There are so many easy things you can start doing today. It is never too late!