Let’s face it; we live in a country in which we are obsessed with our appearances. What’s worse is that advertisers play on this insecurity by selling us products that promise results. “Product X will keep wrinkles at bay! Product Y will deliver clear, smooth, blemish-free skin!” What you may not know is that the true secret to beautiful, radiant skin lies within your health. So instead of buying expensive products to keep your skin looking fresh, redefine the way you think about beauty, as suggested by Vanguard Dermatology in New York. The truth of the matter is that your skin is a reflection of your overall health and well-being.
Step 1: Drink Lots of Water!
If you want your skin to radiate a youthful glow, start drinking more water! Not only does water flush out toxins, it also hydrates the skin. When you’re dehydrated, your body pulls water from your tissues to make up for the lack of hydration. This is a sure way to expedite the process of aging! For example, picture a grape. What happens when you take this plump little fruit and sit it out in the sun for hours? What happens when it becomes so incredibly dehydrated from a lack of moisture? It becomes a raisin. Do you want your skin to resemble that of a raisin? Didn’t think so!
So how much water should you drink? Well, that all depends. For men, the recommendation is 3 liters, or 13 cups, of water each day. For women, the daily recommendation is 2.2 liters (about 9 cups) of water every day. Of course, if you’re exposed to a climate that has severe heat you will want to consume even more water.
Step 2: Load Up on Antioxidants
If you haven’t been eating your fruits and veggies, you may want to start! Fruits and vegetables contain high amounts of antioxidants. Antioxidants are known for their role in reducing (and even reversing!) the signs of aging. The way it works is that antioxidants destroy free radicals. Free radicals are harmful molecules within the human body that are formed from a variety of reasons. Stress, the environment, and poor nutrition can result in high amounts of free radicals.
The problem with free radicals is they cause what’s known as oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is known for causing cell damage and has been linked to diseases such as diabetes, cancer, and Parkinson’s disease. To combat these pesky little free radicals, you’ll want to load up on antioxidants that are found within fruits and vegetables.
Step 3: Wear Sun-Protective Gear
Remember the raisin analogy that was used earlier? Well, the same thing can happen to your skin if you’re not protecting it from the sun’s harmful rays. By now, we all know how important it is to wear sunblock. However, it is equally important to wear other protective gear such as sunglasses and wide-brimmed hats. You see, sunblock doesn’t protect against forehead wrinkles that can arise from squinting into the sun. Only a pair of sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat can shelter you from that. If you’re going to spend a large amount of time in the sun, make sure you have the three proper essentials: sunblock, sunglasses, and a wide-brimmed hat.
Armed with these three tips in mind, you’re ready to start beautifying your skin from the inside out! Once you really start to take care of your body, the results will show in the quality of your skin.
Vanguard Dermatology has locations in Soho, Greenpoint, Sheepshead Bay, Forest Hills and Staten Island. Follow Vanguard Dermatology on Facebook!
