In recent years, scientists have identified a new type of skin aging – behavioral, or behavioral. It affects young girls aged 25-30 years. What is it and how to resist it?
The term “behavioral aging” appeared in doctors’ dictionaries in 2013. At the same time, the first studies were launched to identify its causes and consequences. At the same time, scientists had to work at the intersection of several disciplines – psychology, sociology and biology.
The term “behavioral aging” refers to changes in the skin caused by a person’s lifestyle. In other words, it is the visible result of our daily behavior. This type of aging is different from chronobiological, which is directly related to age and over time, and hormonal, which is related to hormonal background. Behavioral aging is a consequence of our habits (smoking, alcohol abuse, fast food), the rhythm of life (lack of sleep, stress, sedentary indoor work), exposure to sunlight, adverse environmental conditions, and so on.
Unlike other types of aging, behavioral aging primarily affects young girls over the age of 25. It was the result of a change in the social status of women: now they work hard, get responsible positions, build a career and, as a result, sleep worse, experience stress, and begin to eat improperly. Naturally, after a couple of years, the consequences of such a lifestyle are literally reflected on the face.
Signs of behavioral aging
If the main signs of chronobiological aging are wrinkles and a decrease in skin elasticity, then behavioral aging manifests itself differently. Scientists distinguish four main groups of signs:
- changes in complexion (for example, gray skin of smokers or a dull complexion due to infrequent walks in the fresh air);
- pigmentation, dry zones (a consequence of exposure to UV rays, immoderate passion for tanning and going to the solarium);
- tired look, bruising under the eyes (indicators of stress);
- enlarged pores, inflammation, oily sheen (consequences of malnutrition and impaired metabolism).
Behavioral aging is individual. Some are subject to all its factors, while others show individual signs. Although now many people lead a healthy lifestyle, do not smoke, eat right, play sports, it is still impossible to influence all the factors that cause behavioral aging. We all suffer from a poor environmental situation in megacities and periodically experience stress due to the insane rhythm of life.
7 steps for those who want to look younger
- Get enough sleep. Get 7-8 hours of sleep. Sleep in a well-ventilated room, optimally at an air temperature of 18-20 degrees. If possible, install a humidifier in the bedroom.
- Eat right. Sweet and fatty foods, processed foods and fast food slow down metabolism and contribute to the accumulation of toxins in the body. All this negatively affects the condition of the skin.
- Give up bad habits. Smoking and drinking alcohol impair blood circulation and metabolism in cells. As a result, a dull complexion and loss of skin elasticity.
- Protect your skin from the sun. Use special tools not only on vacation. Foundation or day cream with SPF 15-25 will protect the skin from the negative effects of UV rays in the city.
- Avoid stress. There are no universal recipes here. Someone helps yoga or auto-training. Someone – a pool and massage. For some, cooking classes. Learn to relax and switch off from thinking about work in your free time.
- Be outdoors more often. Walk in the evenings in the park, and on weekends try to get out of the city.
- Use good cosmetics. Modern tools promise to neutralize the effects of poor ecology, stress or chronic lack of sleep. They start regenerative processes in the skin, improve metabolism, have an antioxidant effect and just visually improve the complexion.
About the Author: Patricia Pinault is Director of Science Communications at L’Oréal. Author of numerous articles and studies on skin and hair aging, as well as changes in the female body during menopause.