Six things that wreck your skin

DO YOU overindulge on the champers? Are you a stress head? These are two things that contribute to spots, wrinkles and bad skin all-round - here's what else to avoid.

IF YOU have been burning the candle at both ends, getting carried away with the benefits of winter sunshine or thinking that 'one more champers, darling!' won't hurt your complexion, I have two words to say to you: Think. Again.

Sure, those wild times may seem like fun, but take heed - it is a myth that that wrinkles are for oldies. What we sow now, we will reap the benefits of in years to come…especially, when it comes to our complexion.

If you want to avoid those sure fire skin wreckers and maintain those youthful looks for a long time to come, check out these tips from Fiona Tuck, Managing Director of Skinstitut Australia and author of Myth Mix:

1. Tans that don't come from a can

Once upon a time we thought it was "hot" to look like a piece of beef jerky. In the 80s women would slather their bodies in a combination of oil and vinegar and spend the entire day baking in the sun. Doctors and scientists have since let us know that such sun worshipping will only put us on the path to premature ageing - and skin cancer.

While a small amount of sunlight is essential to produce vitamin D and protect us from illness, prolonged exposure in direct sun causes cell trauma. This can lead to cell mutations and over time, possible skin cancer. While applying SPF will protect our skin from burning, constant exposure to UV rays can lead to excess UV radiation that the skin cells simply cannot cope with. This is what causes the damage. Over time, skin can appear mottled with pigmentation and white areas of hypo pigment can appear, which is a sign of damage to the melanocyte cells. Collagen and elastin damage occurs and we see the typical crisscross patterns of wrinkles across the sun-exposed areas.

If you're going to be outside in the sun, always wear protective clothing and a wide-brimmed hat, seek the shade, wear sunscreen, and reapply at least every two hours - more if swimming or sweating. Never expose your face to more than two hours of direct sunlight.

2. Smoking - are you joking?

We know about the health risks of smoking, including lung cancer, emphysema, and heart disease, but smoking will also lead to dull, sallow skin, congestion and wrinkles.

Smoking depletes vital skin nutrients such as vitamin C, which is essential for collagen production. Without essential vitamin C, the body cannot maintain healthy collagen products resulting in lines, wrinkles and capillaries.

Smoking also causes lipofuscion or sallowness of the skin due to free radical damage to the cells, and slows wound healing. Heavy smokers can develop blackheads and congestion across the upper cheeks due to poor lymphatics.

3. OCC cleansing - It's being 'OCD' with cleansers

Cleaning your face with an appropriate cleanser for your skin type is important to wash away daily grime, sebaceous matter and makeup. However, the skin is meant to have a natural protective barrier consisting of oils, lipids and moisture to keep the skin hydrated and protect the skin from foreign invaders.

Scrubbing and cleansing until the skin feels stripped and dry, or as we traditionally call squeaky clean, is a tell-tale sign of over cleansing. This can cause dehydration and sensitivity of the skin which can ultimately lead to premature ageing. Be clean but not squeaky!

4. Picking on your sore spots

Aggressive squeezing of inflamed lesions of the skin leads to more inflammation. This in turn can lead to hyper pigmentation or brown markings in the skin, which are left behind as a result of too much trauma in the skin. Deep picking and squeezing can even lead to permanent scarring and pitting in the skin.

If you are concerned about breakout always visit a professional skincare consultant for advice and treatments to safely zap away those zits.

5. Being a stress head

Don't stress the small stuff! Stress really does show in your skin.

Stress can cause fluctuations in hormones and can even affect the immune response of the skin. Due to these chemical changes in the body at times of stress, the skin becomes sensitised and more reactive than normal to certain skincare products. When you're stressed it is not a good time to start a new product regime or course of skin treatments.

Stress can also lead to flare ups of psoriasis, eczema and rosacea, as well as acne. Chronic stress can lead to the body requiring higher nutrients levels, particularly stress busting nutrients such as vitamin B and vitamin C. Upping these vitamins in the diet can be beneficial as long term stress heads can develop premature ageing and even pigmentation in the skin

Chillax, turn to camomile tea and yoga, not to the vino bottle!

6. Overindulging

When you gain a lot of weight due to too much over indulgence this causes the skin to stretch. Weight loss can therefore lead to a loss of firmness in the skin which is due to loss of elasticity.

Indulging in high saturated fats and transfats such as those found in processed foods, takeaways and fast foods, can lead to stiffening of the cell membrane, possible congestion and premature ageing. Combine these fats with high sugar consumption (think doughnuts and cupcakes) and you are on the fast road to Wrinkledom. Sugar is one of the most ageing substances we can put into the body. Eat junk and your skin will look exactly that.

So, there we have it. Be a good minx and not so 'wreck less' with your skin in these six key areas and you'll be much closer to a healthy body, and healthy radiant skin.

Fiona Tuck is Skinstitut Australia's Managing Director and author of The Myth Minx

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