6 Surprising Reasons You Look Older

By Ysabel Vitangcol on January 22, 2018

From anti-aging creams to Botox, it’s all about finding ways to slow down our aging process these days. But since the best route to preserving youthful-looking skin is actually prevention, we’re revealing some “harmless” habits that are actually making you age faster. Are you guilty? Keep reading to find out the reasons you look older!

Bad Habit #1: Skipping sunblock

Sun exposure has always been the number one cause of pre-mature skin aging and damaged skin. “Most patients in their early 40s with skin that looks two decades older have one thing in common: extreme sun exposure or accumulated sun exposure over the years. These patients have developed uneven skin tone, sun spots or solar lentigines, and dry dehydrated leathery skin,” explains Dr. Pat Cordova-Oconer of Belo Alabang.

The Fix: Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen like ZO Gel Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 50 religiously—even if it’s raining or cloudy outside! It’s also best to apply the product at least 30 minutes before you step out of the house to ensure that your skin’s actively protected before you’re exposed to the sun.

Bad Habit #2: Getting too comfy when binge watching

We’re all guilty of spending our weekends bundled up and watching our favorite shows and movies from morning until night. However, did you know that your resting and sleeping position can also age up your skin? “When you favor a certain side while lying down or sleeping, that side will sag more than the other side of your face in the long run,” adds Dr. Oconer.

The Fix: Try your best to sleep in a supine position. Though the damage on the skin won’t show up instantly, consistently sleeping or resting on one side will eventually show up as you age. Already starting to see sleeplines on your face? Schedule a consult for Thermage FLX —an effective, non-surgical way to tighten your skin and produce new collagen.

Bad Habit #3: Smoking

This one is a no-brainer. Aside from messing up your cardiovascular health and increasing your risk in developing various diseases, smoking has terrible effects on your skin, too. Smoking dehydrates the body, so it slows down skin healing process because of oxygen deprivation. “In our practice we’ve seen chronic smokers with problems of wrinkling around the mouth. This is because the muscles on the perioral area are used excessively. These patients are bothered because whether they pucker their lips or not, the wrinkles—or deep ridges—are there,” explains Dr. Oconer.

The Fix: Quit—and not just for your skin, but for your overall health! And if you’re also concerned about the wrinkles that have formed because of this nasty habit, schedule a consult here and ask your doctor about how Botox can help relax those lines.

Bad Habit #4: Fluctuating weight

“Excessive weight loss may cause the mid-face or the mid-cheek to lose its youthful fat component, leaving the area with a depression that makes the face look constantly tired,” says Dr. Oconer.

The Fix: If you’re planning on losing weight, why not invest in a slimming treatment for the face to help see the results faster? One to try: Exilis, a non-invasive solution for skin tightening and reduction of wrinkles.

Bad Habit #5: Wrong makeup

Makeup was made to bring out your best features. That is, if you use it properly. Mistakes like: using thick, full-coverage matte foundations, sucking in your cheeks to apply blush, and lining only your lower lash line can add years to your appearance.

The Fix: Prioritize skincare and go for glowing, youthful makeup looks. Try using multi-purpose products to avoid tugging on your skin too much, like the ZO Daily Power Defense 50ML!

Bad Habit #6: Exercise

Shocking, right? Exercise has amazing benefits to the body and skin, but there are claims that high-intensity workouts—like running—can actually make the skin sag, because it tears up collagen on the skin. If you love running outdoors sans sunscreen, you might develop additional skin issues like pigmentation, skin darkening, and pre-mature wrinkles, too.

The Fix: Avoid “runner’s face” by looking for alternative ways to get your cardio—like switching to biking or ditching the treadmill for the elliptical machine. But if you can’t let go of your love for running, schedule a consult with a dermatologist here to find out how they can customize the best anti-aging routine for you.

Want to find the best anti-aging treatments for your skin dilemmas? Call 8819-BELO or click here to schedule a consultation.

Editor’s Note: This article has been updated as of March 2024.

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