As natural as it is, aging is a stage of life most people don't want to deal with. Knowing this, we still try to find ways to trick time and look younger. Further reading will reveal to you the causes behind premature aging and a few ways to slow it down. You may find that some of your daily habits are severely speeding up the aging process.

Causes Behind Premature Aging

Genes and the environment control how quickly the normal aging process unfolds. Some notice those first gray hairs in their 20s while others do not see graying until their 40s. Take a look at your parents for a clue about how you'll soon look. The sun is the cause of most premature aging. More causes include repetitive facial expressions, gravity, sleeping positions, and smoking. The nose, ears and eyelids begin to droop due to gravity.

Smoking, Alcohol, and Premature Aging

Highly damaging to your health, smoking greatly increases premature aging. Smoking causes dryness in the skin and wrinkles. Vitamin C, which keeps the skin moist and plump, is depleted from your skin when you smoke. Second hand smoke also affects your skin, so think of that next time you sit next to a smoker. Another factor to consider is alcoholic beverages, as they increase the blood flow in the face. Over time, these blood vessels can become permanently damaged, creating a flushed appearance and broken vessels on the skin's surface. Increasing premature aging, these dark lines never leave the skin.

Wrinkles

As we age, collagen production slows, and elastin, the substance that enables skin to snap back into place, has a bit less spring. Dead skin cells do not shed as quickly, leading to wrinkles. More over, facial expressions lead to fine lines. Beneath the skin's surface a mark is left after each facial expression is expressed. The skin on your face will stop springing back to its original smooth place because it is slowly losing its elasticity.

Prevent Premature Aging

To prevent aging, you can sleep on your back, wear sunscreen, and quit smoking. Otherwise you can try never smiling or frowning again, but that wouldn't be too fun. The key to premature aging includes sun block. Apply a strong sunscreen to your face. A hat is also wise. You know that there are treatments available for quitting smoking. As soon as you quit smoking your body will begin to recover from the damage. Following this advice and using a high quality natural skin care cream will help you reduce the signs of premature aging. A change in a few life style choices is all it takes.