Young skin contains healthy quantities of collagen and elastin fibers, which keeps it firm and supple. As we age, the skin loses this supportive structure. After your 30s, you start losing about 1% of your collagen per year and by age 50 you have lost 20%. The loss of the supporting fibers results in a slackening of the skin structure and as a result, a loss of firmness, sagging, wrinkles and enlarged pores. Sure great genes help, no question. However, your DNA accounts for only 20% of visible signs of aging. 80% is controlled by our environment and our daily habits. Therefore, it’s you not your parents who have control over your skin’s destiny…it’s you!

What can you do?

Like weight loss or any other behavior modifications, you must make changes in how you treat your skin to improve your skin. Many changes require little effort, but you must commit to doing something different. It’s worth the effort. Younger looking skin is noticeable, admired, and even seen as a status symbol.

UVA rays destroy collagen and elastin. These rays stimulate pigment, producing melanocytes, the result of which is the release of aging spots on the face, hands and chest, a hallmark of aged skin. Add pollution, harsh-dry climates, smoking, drinking, stress and sleep habits, and you have an all-out assault on your skin.

These factors all exacerbate the signs of aging. The important point is, it’s never too late to be proactive and improve your skin. Remember these factors are in your control. Coupled with the right skin care program, your skin can literally improve with age, allowing you to look better tomorrow than you did yesterday.

Here are 4 lifestyle changes to improve your skin right now, recommended by world-renowned dermatologists, Dr. Katie Rodan and Dr. Kathy Fields:

1. Get your beauty sleep…on your back. Over time, a nightly face plant into your pillow will cause those pillow creases to become permanently etched into your skin. Train yourself to get off your side and sleep on your back.
2. No smoking, or quit if you do. It makes you look a decade older than you actually are. Smoking breaks down collagen, impairs wound healing and restricts blood vessels, resulting in sagging, sallow and course skin.
3. Don’t drink from a straw. The puckering associated with drinking from a straw has been observed to increase wrinkling around the lips.
4. Keep those eyes covered. Sunglasses are a must, everyday, no matter how cloudy it is.

Remember this, we are all aging all the time, but what that looks like is up to you. Decide today how you are going to look tomorrow!