The same way preventive maintenance can keep your car’s engine purring longer, being proactive about your health can go a long way toward helping you preserve your youth. You probably already get annual checkups with your doctors and dentist, but you might not think about “pre-juvenation” – the collective term for the strategies you can use to be smart about your skin health to stave off wrinkles and other signs of aging.
As San Francisco’s leading dermatologists, our doctors often see patients with specific age-related skin concerns. Here are our top tips for what you should do to maintain your youth.
1. Get Enough Sleep
Most doctors recommend seven to nine hours of restful sleep per night as the goal for healthy adults. There’s a good reason we call it “beauty sleep.” Your body uses this time to restore and repair itself, including performing skin cell turnover that promotes a healthy complexion.
If you routinely struggle with insomnia, here are some things you can try to fall asleep and stay asleep.
- Avoid screen time before bed. Phones, laptops, and other devices emit a blue light that can disrupt your circadian rhythm. If reading helps you relax, try a hard-copy book instead.
- Create a soothing pre-bedtime routine that includes gentle yoga stretches and warm chamomile tea to set the stage for a full night’s rest.
- Stick to a consistent sleep schedule so that you go to bed and get up at the same times every day – even on weekends and holidays.
- When you find yourself tossing and turning, melatonin supplements are an all-natural sleep aid.
2. Always Wear Sunscreen
Sun damage is one of the primary culprits behind premature aging. To maintain your youth, use a sunblock of SPF 30 or higher every time you go out in the sun. Even if you’re staying indoors, be mindful of any windows you sit near, as UV rays can penetrate glass and cause sun damage like wrinkles and discoloration. Reapply sunscreen often, and seek shade if you’re planning to spend a long time outside.
3. Quit Smoking or Vaping
This tip is common-sense advice for your overall health, in addition to your anti-aging goals. Cigarette smoke has thousands of harmful chemicals that are known cancer-causing agents. Smokers also tend to have poor circulation, and the resulting lack of blood flow impedes the body’s natural healing abilities and leads to dry, thin skin that wrinkles more easily.
4. Eat a Balanced Diet
Nutrition also plays an essential role in preserving your youth and total body well-being. Choose mostly unprocessed foods like fresh fruits and vegetables, limit your sugar intake, and seek lean protein sources such as legumes, dairy, and fish. Whole, clean foods are the best for a balanced diet because they provide essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that help fight the signs of premature aging.
5. Get Minimally Invasive Cosmetic Treatments
Non-surgical aesthetic procedures like the range of products and services we offer at Dermatology Medical Group of San Francisco can help you maintain your youth and refresh your appearance. To learn more about how our board-certified dermatologists can help you create an actionable plan for a beautifully revitalized, youthful complexion, contact us today to schedule your consultation.
