Looking Older Than My Real Age, Why and What to Do?

Damage from the Sun

Exposure to sun tops our list of the reasons involved in premature aging because all the early signs of aging including dark pots, wrinkles, fine lines and sagging skin, are mostly caused by over-exposure to sun. Solar elastosis is a skin damaging process. When you confront the sunlight, UV rays damage the inner layer of our skin (collagen fibers) and destroy the basic skin structure. Besides this, spine-chilling cold weather also affect our skin, depriving it of all its natural moisture. As a result, you get a wrinkly and old looking skin.

Note: Even washing your skin with hot water can result in sagging skin and wrinkles.

Chain Smoking

If you are into health damaging behaviors like chain smoking, you have no right to ask the questions like why do I look older than my age? Such health-risking behavior easily leads you to aging, both internally and externally. Vitamin C is a great source of collagen production in our skin. When you smoke, the level of vitamin C in blood drops automatically. As a result, you will have the symptoms like discoloration, wrinkly eyes and visible fine lines around your mouth. Smoking damages teeth and that too could give an illusion of an aged person.

Excessive Consumption of Alcohol

If you drink moderately, it’s ok. But an excessive consumption directly affects your skin by damaging its tissues and dehydrating it. You must have seen the addictive drinkers with the common signs like dark circles, bloated face and puffiness around the eyes. It all results from drinking excessively and tends to make you look older.

Dry Skin Type

Those who have dry skin naturally, are guaranteed to have some years added in their age (early precautions can help). Dryness causes the skin to lose its elasticity and you get a visibly wrinkled skin. Make sure to moisturize your skin daily.

Poor Dietary Intake

If you are a food junkie and most of the food (salty, processed, caffeinated, sugary and fatty food) that you consume, lacks proteins and vital nutrients like biotin, vitamin C, vitamin B complex and all other necessary antioxidants, then you already know the answer to the question ‘why do I look older than my age?’ You need all these nutrients and vitamins, not only for a healthy body but they also help forming collagen and fight to undone all the skin damages caused by various reasons.

Exposure to Harmful Chemicals

Untimely graying of hair is another reason why people believe you to be older than your biological age. Using hair dye, gel and hydrogen peroxide can severally damage hair, as all of these contain harmful chemicals. And you end up with the signs like graying of hair or hair loss.

Note: Washing your hair with extremely hot water diminishes melanin from hair. That too causes graying of hair before time.

Excessive Sugar Consumption

You love sweets? You may experience high blood sugar level. If that happens, you may suffer the process of glycation. Glycation damages the collagen of skin permanently, leaving it with wrinkles and sagging.

Lack of Sleep

Sleepless nights have become quite common nowadays. And the reason could be anything like, stress, work or having fun. A constant lack of sleep can affect the way you look. Deep sleep is the time when body makes new cells and repairs the damaged ones. For that you need about 7 to 9 hours sleep daily. If you don’t do that, no one can stop you from saying why I look older than my age?

Stress and Depression

Stress is yet another common reason of premature aging. Stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline can easily accelerate your aging process. Studies have proved that stress affects the bones’ structures and density and such people are quite likely to experience some visible changes in their facial features.

Blame your Genetics

Sometimes all that you can blame is the genetics you have got. If your parents had facial spots and grey hair in their youth, you are quite likely to have it too. This is one reason where you can’t blame yourself. But yes, there are a lot of things that you can do to cure it externally, like adopting the healthy lifestyles listed above.

• Protection from harmful UV rays of sun is very important. Don’t forget to apply an SPF 30 lotion on all the exposed body parts before going outdoor. Try to avoid the sun when the radiation levels are too high (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.). Using a hat and sunglasses is also highly recommended.

• Consume 7 to 8 glasses of water per day to keep your skin hydrated. Besides, regularly cleanse, tone and moisturize your skin. And don’t forget to moisturize your neck and hands. These are the areas that reveal more about your age.

• Collagen, hyaluronic acid, antioxidants and elastin fibers are essential for fresh looking skin but your body can’t make them on its own. Opt for a balanced diet containing fresh fruits and vegetables (especially green) to overcome the shortages of all the necessary antioxidants.

• Don’t rub or scratch your skin. Rather massage it gently to apply anything.

• To prevent wrinkles and acne, don’t forget to wash your face twice a day. But avoid over-washing of the skin, to protect the natural barrier oils of the skin.

• Sleep well and above all sleep on your back. Sleeping on your side or on face contributes to premature aging.

• Get indulged in face yoga exercises regularly. You will surely never say, I look older than my age.

• Lastly, use some high-quality and dermatologically-tested anti-aging cream.