Top 12 Reasons Some People Look Older Than Their Actual Age

Stress - business person stressed at office. Business woman hold

Photo credit: bigstock.com

10. Lack of Sleep

Your body repairs the skin and makes new cells while you sleep. When you are in the deepest stages of sleep, the pituitary gland makes growth hormones, vital for connective tissues and the renewal of skin. In fact, deep sleep is one of the few times your body makes these growth hormones. Although everyone has a sleepless night every now and then, prolonged lack of sleep leads to accelerated aging, among other health problems. Arrange your schedule so that you get between seven and nine hours of sleep most nights. If you have trouble falling asleep, try some chamomile or valerian tea about an hour before bedtime. Turn off all screens including computers, cell phones, tablets, and televisions, as these lights interfere with our sleep.

11. Facial Mimicry

By facial mimicry, we mean talking or using exaggerated facial movements. This is a trait that is often learned in childhood but it can be unlearned. Intensive and repetitive use of facial muscles while talking brings out exaggerated lines on the face that will make you look older than your actual age. One example is the frown line on the forehead. Most people have either several horizontal creases across the forehead or one or two vertical creases near the eyes. Repetitive frowning can cause frown lines to start appearing in the late 20s if not corrected. Watch yourself in the mirror or film yourself talking on the phone and see if you are guilty of overusing some facial expressions. Although some permanent lines, such as laugh lines, cannot be eliminated entirely, you can delay the appearance of some lines by limiting any overuse of facial muscles, such as by frowning, pursing the lips, or smiling constantly.

12. Genetics

This is the one area that you cannot control, of course. Although our body has the ability to produce certain enzymes that work in the same way that antioxidants do, limiting the damage and repairing our DNA, genetic factors keep some people from making more of these enzymes than others. The tendency to repair genetic damage is inherent in our genome, so if your parents developed age spots or grey hair while they were in their 20s, chances are you will as well. So although you can’t change your genetics, you can find external ways to lessen the damage to your skin, such as by not smoking and getting plenty of rest, as well as by eating your way towards better skin by consuming more foods that have their own antioxidants. Your genes might not be up for repairing your skin like someone else might, but you can eat your own way towards better looking skin. Consume plenty of antioxidant rich foods such as organic fruits and vegetables every single day.

Right about now you are wondering why we haven’t mentioned water on this list. Although many sources will claim that drinking tons of water will give you softer, moister skin, the truth is, water will not prevent wrinkles. Wrinkles and other signs of skin aging are caused by the sun, genetics, smoking, etc. Although it is true that the outermost layer of the skin might become a bit dry if you are dehydrated, but there are no studies showing that drinking a great deal of extra water will turn dry skin soft and supple. Every organ in the body needs water to function, so yes, be sure you get in your 8 glasses each day. But drinking a gallon of water each day will not give you younger looking skin.

You can’t avoid your birthday every year, but you can avoid the things that make you look like you have celebrated more birthdays than you actually have. Don’t forget, too, that a happy, positive, youthful outlook on life will shine from the inside out.

References:

Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Archderm.jamanetwork.com