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More than two-thirds of us regularly use beauty creams and ointments.
But dermatologists say it could all be for nothing if you don’t do everything you can to avoid the factors in your environment that accelerate the aging of your face.
Experts at Harley Street Skin Clinic in the UK used artificial intelligence to simulate how five factors, including pollution, stress and sunlight, can cause skin to age over time.
Lesley Reynolds, skincare expert at the clinic, said: “There are many measures that can be taken to prevent any signs of premature ageing.”
‘This includes basic things like getting enough sleep, staying hydrated and eating well. But there are also some skin care products, like sunscreen, that can help.”
Anxiety
More than half of Americans and Brits say they frequently experience stress and anxiety in their daily lives.
But dermatologists say all this worry could be causing a person’s skin to age faster.
They say that stress can cause inflammation, slow wound healing and lead to psoriasis or eczema.
The image above is an AI-generated image that shows how stress can affect a person’s physical appearance over time. Dermatologists say the inflammation caused could damage the skin.
Dermatologists said: ‘One of the most visible signs of stress and anxiety is premature aging.
‘This can be seen on this individual’s face in the form of many fine lines and wrinkles. The eyes also appear very sunken, with opacity and dark circles.’
too much sunlight
Too much sunlight could damage the collagen in your skin, causing more fine lines and sagging.
It can also cause damage to cells, increasing the risk of skin cancer.
More than 180,000 Americans are diagnosed with melanoma each year, making it one of the most common cancers in the United States.
The above is an estimate of how exposure to unprotected sunlight can affect a person’s skin, according to AI.
Harley Street experts said: ‘Multiple symptoms suggest the presence of skin cancer, including red and brown spots and loss of definition on the lips.
“Added to this is a large volume of prominent fine lines and wrinkles, especially on the forehead and around the mouth area.”
To avoid this, dermatologists recommended applying sunscreen daily, even on cloudy days, to limit UV exposure.
air pollution
Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston are among the ten most polluted cities in the US, according to an analysis.
And all the fine particles, released by car and factory exhausts, could be wreaking havoc on your skin.
Dermatologists said volatile compounds in the air can penetrate the surface of the skin and cause inflammation.
The image above is an AI-generated image that shows how air pollution can affect a person’s complexion.
In turn, this can cause the skin to increase oil production, which could lead to clogged pores and acne, they said.
Dermatologists warned: “There are also visible acne scars, more prominent fine lines, and the skin under the eyes begins to sag.”
To prevent skin damage from air pollution, dermatologists recommended gentle exfoliation to remove contaminants from the skin.
water hardness
Hard water is water that contains high levels of dissolved minerals, primarily calcium and magnesium.
Indianapolis has the hardest water in the country, surveys suggest, while Las Vegas, Phoenix and Minneapolis rank second, third and fourth.
The image above is an AI-generated image that demonstrates how hard water, or water that contains a lot of dissolved minerals, could damage facial skin.
After drinking water in these areas, the hardness can “dry out” a person’s skin, dermatologists said, stripping it of moisture and oils.
This can also cause inflammation, leading to the appearance of acne and fine lines.
To avoid this, dermatologists recommended purchasing bottled water or using a water filter at home to remove some of the minerals.
Smoking
Nearly one in five people in the U.S. still smoke cigarettes, despite concerns about their health effects.
Dermatologists say these could also cause skin to age more quickly.
They said: ‘His skin has become very dull and lifeless, especially under his eyes.
“Intense fine lines are also starting to form around this individual’s mouth, primarily due to excessive puckering while smoking a cigarette.”
The image above is an AI generated image that demonstrates how smoking can affect a person’s physical appearance.