Great skin at any age

Get your beauty sleep

Believe it or not, the expression “get your beauty sleep" actually has some science behind it. Lack of sleep is directly connected to an increase in the stress hormone cortisol. Increased levels of cortisol create a rise in blood sugar, increase fat storage around the waist and hips, and reduce the body’s ability to generate new skin cells. Consistently depriving yourself of sleep can also make your complexion look sallow and can aggravate skin conditions including acne, eczema and psoriasis.

Wine down

I’m not trying to take away all your fun! You can still have a glass of something. Drink more than a cocktail a day? Your skin is going to suffer. Alcohol has been proven to dilate the blood vessels in the skin. Every time you have a drink, the blood vessels dilate and remain permanently dilated until they lose their tone. In addition, alcohol can worsen certain skin conditions including acne and rosacea and has been found to deplete the body of vitamin A, an important anti-oxidant.

Stop smoking

Not only does smoking cause cancer and bad breath, it also destroys collagen and elastin and decreases levels of estrogen necessary to keep skin firm. In addition, every decade of smoking results in a perceived extra 2.5 years of age, according to research published in the Journal of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

Cut the junk

A study in the Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology found that people who replaced processed carbohydrates with high-protein foods and whole grains broke out less. The reason? High-glycemic foods cause your blood sugar to rise, triggering a surge of insulin. Insulin stimulates oil-producing hormones called androgens, which cause breakouts. Cut the junk, and you could see an improvement in acne in about six weeks. Instead, opt for sensible snacks like raw nuts. The healthy fats found in raw nuts provide nutrients for the hair, skin and nails, and help sustain basic metabolism.

Keep moving

Along with lifting your mood, exercise increases blood flow to the skin, causing a healthy-looking glow. Both immediately and over time, exercise has been shown to decrease stress, which can result in better skin. A quick 30-minute workout four or five days a week will go a long way in promoting healthy skin and a healthy lifestyle.

Stay hydrated

Water is the most critical nutrient we can give our bodies. In fact, our bodies are comprised of two-thirds water and lose an average of 2.5 liters of water daily. In order to stay hydrated, it is necessary to replenish what is lost at a minimum each day. Drinking lots of water not only hydrates the skin, but also helps to flush out toxins and other chemicals that cause aging.

Dr. Dimitry Palceski is a board certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon. He was recently voted “Best Dermatologist” in a poll taken by The Winter Park/Maitland Observer and Winter Park Chamber of Commerce. His office, Reflections Dermatology & Center For Skin Care, is centrally located in Baldwin Park. For more information on Dr. Palceski, please visit reflectionsdermatology.com or call 407-895-8818. To submit a question, please email [email protected]