I’m a dermatologist and you’re aging yourself if you ignore snow and rain puddles – my tips to avoid wrinkles
A DERMATOLOGIST has shared the biggest mistakes she sees people make when it comes to anti-aging.
She explained that many beauty fans are inadvertently aging themselves by ignoring rain puddles and snow.
Dr. Michele Green, a board-certified NYC cosmetic dermatologist, shared her anti-aging tips with The U.S. Sun.
The best affordable anti-aging treatment, she said, is daily sunscreen use.
"Sunscreen is an essential part of a daily anti-aging routine, as the sun is one of the biggest causes of premature aging and the development of wrinkles, fine lines, and sunspots," she explained.
"Sun damage can also impair collagen production and reduce skin elasticity."
One misconception Green addressed is that sunscreen should only be worn on hot, sunny days.
The expert stressed that those who are serious about their skin's appearance and health should apply sunscreen regardless of the weather.
"For maximum protection, a broad-spectrum sunscreen of
SPF 50 or higher should be applied every day, even on days when the sun is not out," she said.
"UV rays can penetrate through clouds and windows and reflect off snow and rain puddles."
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Another common misconception, Green added, is that excellent anti-aging treatments come at a huge cost.
Instead of shelling out huge bucks on luxury skincare, she urged beauty enthusiasts to zero in on ingredient lists.
"It is important to look for active ingredients that have been clinically studied and proven to serve a specific purpose for the skin," she said.
"Anti-aging skincare routines do not need to be complicated with a million different products."
A basic anti-aging skin care routine should contain a gentle cleanser, a hydrating moisturizer, and a broad-spectrum sunscreen.
Serums or treatment products in a routine should be picked for specialized skin concerns.
For maximum protection, a broad-spectrum sunscreen of SPF 50 or higher should be applied every day, even on days when the sun is not out.
Dr. Michele Green
"[It] should contain ingredients such as peptides, antioxidants, or retinol to address anti-aging skin concerns such as fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, or dullness," she said.
Green also emphasized the importance of inner health, which can't be compensated for by any number of products or treatments.
Some of the easiest techniques for anti-aging, she said, like eating a well-balanced diet and getting enough sleep, don't even require a shopping trip.
"Sleep allows the body to undergo cellular repair, replacing dead cells with new, healthy ones," Green explained.
"Inadequate sleep impairs this process as well as accelerates the breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers in the skin, contributing to premature aging and leading to the development of dark under-eye
circles, fine lines, and sallow-looking skin.
"Maintaining a healthy diet is very important in skin health, as
diets rich in sugar can exacerbate skin conditions such as acne and eczema and damage collagen fibers, resulting in saggy skin.
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"Well-balanced diets rich in proteins, leafy greens, and healthy fats can help to support healthy, radiant skin."
The expert recommended eating foods rich in antioxidants, such as strawberries, dates, and avocados, to reduce stress and free radical damage in the skin.
