Anti Aging - Natural Techniques

 The aging process is natural, but the skin aging process can be greatly reduced with the right prevention methods and the right natural skin care techniques.

The main factor that causes our skin to age prematurely can be sun exposure. The sun damage you can see on your face today may have started more than thirty years ago. When it comes to sun damage, prevention is better than cure.

Ways to prevent sun damage include:

. Apply sunscreen with a high protection factor daily on your face, neck and chest

. Wear a hat whenever you venture out; even to hang clothes

. Makeup that contains sunscreen

. Try to stay in the shade when possible

Today, we hear a lot about "free radicals". Free radicals are unstable molecules created from sources such as air pollution, radiation, and chemicals. They are also caused by an unhealthy high-fat diet and can even be caused by excessive exercise. These free radicals can invade your system and are now known to cause serious health problems, such as heart disease and rheumatoid arthritis. They are a major concern in premature aging.

Ways to prevent free radical damage are:

. Increase your intake of antioxidants like vitamins A and E

. Eat a diet rich in colorful fruits and vegetables

. Reduce chemical use in and around the home

. Get natural skin care products that contain antioxidants

Using natural skin care products will greatly reduce the amount of chemicals you absorb into your body that can cause premature aging. Some everyday chemicals such as synthetic emollients in some commercial products can be stored in the liver and lymph nodes by the body. Others such as sodium lauryl sulfate can cause skin irritation. Ways to prevent the absorption of chemicals through the skin include:

. Use only natural skin care products

. Fragrance your skin with essential oils or naturally scented creams

. Use only soaps made with vegetable oils and containing plant extracts, aromatherapy blends, and clays.

. Shower every day to remove dirt from the skin

Exfoliation has been around for thousands of years as a natural way to remove dead skin cells from the surface of the body and prevent premature aging, revealing new skin cells underneath. Exfoliation has many benefits. Not only is new skin revealed, but circulation is also stimulated, helping to loosen and remove toxins from the layers of skin and lymph nodes.

Ways to exfoliate are:

. Use a weekly body scrub in the shower

. Use a natural bristle brush to brush dry skin before showering every day

. Use loofah to exfoliate in the shower

. Dry your skin with a shaving towel to stimulate your circulation

Dehydration is another factor in premature aging. Many people simply do not drink enough water to maintain a healthy system. It is said that six to eight glasses of water a day is what we should drink and that does not include soda and coffee! They really tax the humidity system. Ways to make sure you're drinking enough water include:

. Always carry a water bottle with you and drink it!

. A useful guide to calculating the right amount of water you should drink each day is to divide your weight by 8. This is the amount of water in 250ml of water you should drink each day to help prevent premature aging.