Simply changing this mindset could change everything!
Let’s look at the difference between the idea of aging gracefully versus anti aging and how that simple approach can change how you feel about your skin, and perhaps even change how you feel about growing older. Then we can look at all of the things that you can do to help support the process of aging gracefully. There are many internal and external options, and so many of them don’t cost any money!
What if a simple shift in mindset could impact the core of how we feel about our selves and the natural aging process? Why do we fight it and try so hard to deny the inevitable? We will all age eventually, but we don’t have to fight it or resist it. Embracing our aging can be so incredibly empowering~especially when we see how each and every past experience has led to right now…that which has made You uniquely and beautifully, who You are!
Letting Go of Societal Expectations
This could be an entire topic on its own, but to sum it up and get to the important information, we need to understand that most all of us have felt the pressures of societal expectations to uphold what is seen as ‘normal’. We can also see that ‘normal’ doesn’t work any longer as it has led us to this point where not only are our beauty care products loaded with toxic ingredients, (which we know are harmful to us and Mother Earth), but we have been led to believe that there is only one type of beautiful~Youthfully Flawless…which is such a terribly toxic mindset!!!
We Do NOT have to uphold this false narrative any longer!
This doesn’t mean not wearing makeup, or not caring about our appearance. Quite the opposite. If we wear makeup it will be to enhance rather than to hide or disguise. We will probably always be concerned with our appearance to a certain extent, but the obsession over the ‘anti-aging’ process is a stress that we don’t need to carry any longer.
Toxic Ideals
While we all have our own uniquely distinct circumstances that got us to this point of right now, how we choose to move forward with our own aging can really make a big impact on how that unfolds. Do you see those upcoming fine lines or the deep set wrinkles as a badge of honor or a mark of disgrace and possibly even a weakness?
I hope to empower the positive thoughts behind those marks. I hope to empower the positive thoughts behind those fine lines or wrinkles, and for you to see them as an indication of progress, of achievements made, and of forward momentum and life experiences gained, with it all of the opportunities for exponential growth along the way. The people I see who wear those marks with pride, also seem to carry those changes with extreme grace and a marked sense of strength of self.
When we fight the natural process that happens to us all, it seems something also happens to our inner radiance (what can also be seen as our essence), it just stops shining. The individual is left to continue to struggle to find the glow that once was, or perhaps that has been elusive for most, or all of their life. Seeking the proverbial ‘fountain of youth’ as something outside of self or a thing to use or a place to be to get that youthfully flawless look…what if that ‘fountain of youth’ is our mindset?
Could our thoughts really affect how we look?
This quick little experiment may help you come to a conclusion if you haven’t already arrived at one. Next time you are in front of a mirror~close your eyes, think some thoughts about ourselves as if we are not enough~tall enough, short enough, attractive enough, strong enough, letting those thoughts sit for a moment and try to feel them too…now open your eyes, how do you look? where have your facial muscles relaxed or tensed up to be? what sort of expression do you have? Take a quick mental note and let’s try again, only this time when you close your eyes, think about how beautifully perfect, how radiantly confident, how gracefully strong you are, let those thoughts really sink in, feel those words sink in to every inch of your being. When you open your eyes, what do you see in that lovely face shining back in the mirror: how do you look? where have your facial muscles relaxed or tensed? what sort of expression do you have?
Taking a wild guess, the negative thoughts caused a look of perhaps mild confusion, somewhat angry, mildly frustrated or sadly disappointed….any of those ring true?
How about when you absorbed the positive affirmations, face look more relaxed, less tense, no furrowed brow, possibly even happier? When we seat ourselves in a belief that something about our appearance is not enough, we can begin a lifetime quest to find something that will never satisfy…but if we believe that everything about our appearance is absolutely enough, what could fundamentally change within our self?
Everything Affects Skin Health
Products can certainly make a huge difference, however our skin is affected by everything in our daily life; stress, hormones, genetics, diet, autoimmune conditions, medications, environment, work and lifestyle choices are some of the many things that will impact skin health through all of our years. Following are things in our daily life to look at that may contribute to the aging process and then there are suggestions for what beneficial things can be included to strengthen and support our skin.
Primary Culprits to Consider Reducing or Avoiding
Here are some of the things that really contribute to premature aging, tissue breakdown and potentially disease because of cell mutations that can eventually happen, especially with overuse.
Sugar is a primary factor to contend with in the aging process and the breakdown of healthy skin. The trouble is that it causes glycation*, which means that it binds to collagen and elastin proteins, things we count on to keep our skin tight and firm. After it binds to the proteins, it causes them to weaken, so they aren’t able to hold the skin in place. Primary sources of these sugar culprits are found in glucose and fructose, which we need and use both, but when consumed in excess, it contributes to too much sugar in the blood. That’s when the damage is amplified. Biggest culprits are found in alcohol, desserts, refined sugars and refined carbohydrates that you find in ultra processed* foods. (*Most everything that we eat now is processed in some form or another unless it comes right out of it’s own peel or straight off the vine. This reference of ‘processed’ refers to packaged foods where the ingredients are more artificial colors, flavors and preservatives than actual real food ingredients, like candies. If you cannot pronounce it, perhaps look it up.) The end of this article contains a link to a great read in Elle to help understand glycation’s effects on our body.
Alcohol in moderation is key. You know when you had too much to drink the night before and you look in the mirror the next morning and you seem to have lost a little of your radiance, somehow you look just a little off? That my dear friend, is the work of glycation, the immediate, visible proof, to remind us that moderation is key. Adding in extra hydration perhaps with electrolytes, some collagen, good proteins and maybe even a good quality multivitamin into your day will be most helpful in regaining your radiance.
Cigarettes today have thousands of chemicals in them, many of them break down the collagen and elastin in the skin which are what keeps it strong. Cigarettes load the body with free radicals*, which causes damage to healthy cells and tissues. The higher the load of free radicals, the greater the chance for healthy tissue to break down and become weakened and potentially cause illnesses and cancers. *A link to National Institute of Health’s discussion on Free Radicals is at the end of this article.
Internal Inflammatory Triggers Cause Damage
Various foods can contribute to inflammation in the skin, not everyone reacts to foods, and many may react but aren’t aware there is a negative reaction going on, besides something so simple as indigestion. Reactions to various foods can show up in many different ways from things like excessive gassiness, bloating, nausea and further digestive distress or it can also show up as joint pain, skin rashes, brain fog or fatigue…they can happen individually or as several separate symptoms.
For those of us who are impacted negatively by what we eat, many foods can contribute to tissue breakdown that can contribute to the overall aging process. Some of the biggest inflammatory potential comes from food sources like soy, gluten, corn, peanuts, dairy and nightshades which include potatoes, tomatoes, eggplant and peppers.
Anyone can have food reactions to any food at any point in life. Sometimes eating the same thing repetitively causes our body to ask for a break, so if you have consistent digestive issues, rashes, redness, skin irritation or feel like you are aging faster than you should, it could be beneficial to find someone who can help you determine what foods you might be reacting to. Lab testing can help determine, but really it is best to connect with a practitioner who can help you test for foods which may be an issue specifically for you. Some of those are only temporary reactive triggers, as the body heals, they may not always be a problem.
Gmo’s (genetically modified organisms) and foods grown in pesticides should also be avoided as they create more work for the body to process. They can also weigh the body down with toxic chemicals that are stored in various organs, lymphatic systems and various layers of tissues, buildup of these toxic ingredients can cause major health issues in the body. Sometimes it may not be the food itself but its genetically altered version that our body cannot process which can ultimately degrade skin health.
Beneficial Things To Consider
Water
Pure, filtered, clean water, great to hydrate from within. We need water to flush the toxins from our body that we ingest through foods, liquids, personal care products we apply topically and the air we breathe. When we are dehydrated, our skin tends to look like crepe paper, which is a sign that you need more water (and perhaps to do a mild exfoliation and hydrating moisturizer). If the lines at your cheeks where you smile are more pronounced on some days, that is another indication that you may be dehydrated and need more water. Make sure to drink the proper amount of water for your size and activity level, remember physical exercise and heat make for greater water loss and will require more water to replenish levels.
Adding lime and a dash of sea salt can make water more replenishing at a cellular level working like a natural ‘gatorade’. Other things to add to water like slices of lemon or cucumber or fresh berries, sprigs of mint, sage or raspberry leaf can all bring a little more flavor to entice us to drink more.
During hot summer days, making a sun tea with Hibiscus Flower can help provide anti oxidants as well as other minerals to fight the free radicals* that lead to premature aging.
Sleep Patterns to Recognize
Do you sleep on your side or stomach? That may cause your face to sustain hours of pressure in a position which will highlight a particular curve the next day making it look more like a crease. If you side sleep, try to prop your head so you aren’t leaning down on your face.
Behavior Patterns to Recognize
Are you a person who frowns more than you smile? Facial expressions that pair with frowns include a furrowed brow, or what is also called the ’11’s’ in the area between your eyebrows. Do you purse your lips when you are deep in thought? Try some facial massage to relax the forehead, eye sockets, upper cheekbones, mouth and chin, refer to the face yoga suggestion below.
Facial Exercises
Remember the phrase ‘use it or lose it’? Yep, it is sooooo true! Especially when it comes to our facial muscles~check out ‘Face Yoga Method’ and start working those muscles!!! I have found many of her Instagram Posts to be most helpful in finding quick supportive routines to adopt for my personal use. If you want support through the process, sign up for one of her courses, otherwise, you can learn a lot from her social media posts alone before investing in anything!
Supplements for Skin Health
There are numerous supplements that have been proven to help skin when consumed internally. The same nutrients that are boasted for use topically can almost all provide greater benefit when taken internally, unfortunately, many Dr’s are not so familiar and supportive of their use.
There is a link to an incredible article called “Supplements for Skin Health” that was put together by the Veterans Administration, it verifies much of what I state here, the link is at the end of this article. All of the recommendations in this article should be taken under the advisement of your own health care professional to determine necessity and proper dosage as well as any potential contraindications. Please see the information at the end of this article if you need help finding a practitioner who is familiar with the benefits of supplementation.
Green Tea is a great antioxidant. It contains epigallocatechin-3-gallate (aka EGCG or green tea extract) which helps to prevent cell damage. It’s just as effective in decaffeinated form if you want to avoid the caffeine. When you work with a practitioner, they may recommend that you take EGCG in supplement form which would provide a greater amount of antioxidant support.
Collagen included daily, ideally from an organic, non GMO source, from food, like a bone broth. We start to lose collagen in our early 30’s and things like pollution, tobacco, and sugar can further deplete our stores. You can also find it in supplemental form, but food sources are always best.
Omegas are supper anti inflammatory which helps to combat inflammatory activity happening in the body from sugar, environment and other triggers. If you don’t like using omegas from fish, incorporating Borage, Flax and Chia could be something to ask your Dr about.
Herbs like Horsetail (Equisetum Aravense), He Shou Wu (Polygon Multiflorum), Nettles (Urtic Dioica)~all are high in minerals, reparative and restorative qualities. These would be great in tea form but will be stronger in a tincture or capsule form. However, it is always best to work with a practitioner to find the best fit for you with your health concerns and ensure there are no contraindications.
Vitamin C is important for connective tissue and so many other aspects of skin and overall health. Food sources are always best and your Dr can help determine best supplemental sources and dosing.
Neem is a powerhouse for skin conditions but again, best to work with a practitioner.
Zinc is a critical mineral for skin health working as an anti inflammatory and is very supportive in the wound healing process. Dosing should be calculated by your Dr.
Vitamin D is another vitamin that our skin (and body overall) needs for a healthy immune response and to be able to properly heal. Levels should be tested prior to taking it to make sure you are consuming a dose appropriate for you.
Curcumin or Turmeric is incredibly anti inflammatory. Including more Turmeric in your diet is a great way to bring those anti inflammatory properties throughout the day, supporting your system in the foods or drinks your consume. It can be taken in supplement form as well, again, under the advisement of your doctor.
A More Personal Reminder For You To Consider
Can I take a moment to please remind you that these human bodies of ours are perfectly constructed, with each and every one of our self perceived imperfections. Modern society has bent our minds to think that beauty means our skin must be smooth, flawless and ageless, most especially for women. These are harmful beliefs to us. We will age, we are meant to, it is part of our growth process.
It seems that overall, as a society, we have lost our respect for elders. Here is a quote to better explain: “There was a time when becoming an Elder was a Rite of Passage. Where external beauty wasn’t the only prevailing currency determining one’s value. Where the Wisdom one learnt was met with dignity and honor. The anti-aging war has replaced the sacred significance of wrinkles and grey hair and made them enemies of Elderhood instead of respectable allies. Mere markers of inadequacy and undesirability instead of the naturally recognizable wisdom earned through surviving a life of perils, joys and lessons.” This excerpt is from Kathleen McCauley Anast’s soon to be released book titled ‘Myrtle~Shifting Shadows Through Grief & Cancer & Befriending an Unlikely Ally.’
My hope for you is that you are able to embrace your unique features, those which make you you…marks of character, reminders of your strength, what you have endured to get you to this time where your radiance truly shines from within.
Why Less Can Be More
When we remove things that cause internal damage to the skin, like those inflammatory triggers, it provides opportunity for better health, allowing vibrance and radiance to thrive, which ultimately shows up in our outer appearance through our skin. The biggest drawback is that many of our favorite comforts are some of the biggest culprits to the breakdown of healthy skin and tissue. When this happens, it can make us feel a need to provide a quick fix with Botox or fillers to regain that fullness that we do desire.
To Fill or Not To Fill
It is not my preference to use fillers, here is why I support you in that choice too;
There is a very large unknown in the medical beauty industry; how will these treatments impact our health as we age? All the various chemical compounds that the body is exposed to during injections, surgical procedures, consumption of pain medications, introduction of anesthesias and use of multiple topical products produce cumulative effects on the skin, in the internal organs, various tissues and the lymphatic system….so many places to add toxins to our already bombarded systems.
An important aspect to consider that we don’t truly know, is how long term use of these fillers regularly will impact our body systemically over time, most especially the botulinum based fillers. Our world is incredibly toxic right now, we are exposed daily with harmful, cancer causing chemicals; in the air we
breathe, the water we drink, the foods we eat, the clothes we wear and the products we use to wash them and all of the various ingredients in our daily body care products, household air fresheners and cleaners and pet care products…to name just a few. We also have genetic predispositions for disease and cancers, why purposefully inject more unknown variables into the mix of our genetic makeup paired with our toxic planet. Add all of this to a list of potential side effects to consider when using facial injectables. That’s where I wonder if it is really worth it?
Botox/Dysport: Botulinum Type of Fillers
We can relate botulinum type of injections to a cast for a broken bone~if you can imagine with me~what happens to the muscles after they come out of the cast, several months later to heal that broken bone? You have to work those muscles to regain their strength because the muscle has been frozen…same thing happens when those injections to ‘freeze’ your muscle are used to ‘fill the void’ of a wrinkle. Then there is the list of side effects to consider, some of which can be life long and affect entire systems like overall muscle control.
Juvederm & Hyaluronic Acid Type Fillers
If you absolutely feel a need to do any filers, this would be a better alternative as Hyaluronic Acid is something that the body makes and we lose as we get older. Again, working with a licensed and board certified doctor is the most important to remember.
These are very basic and general instructions, for more specifics tailored specifically to your needs, please schedule a complementary Discovery Call or a Consultation with Tanya at https://holisticskincaretherapy.com/services/.
*All recommendations for dietary changes, herbs or supplemental consideration should be taken by advisement under the care of your MD, Naturopathic Doctor, Herbalist, Nutritionist, Ayurvedic Practitioner or other qualified health care practitioner you are working with as these may need direction specific to your health care needs. If you would like to find a professional to help support your concerns separately from your MD, who may not be familiar with many of these, please let me know, I have several options to find someone right for you.
Link to National Institute of Health on Free Radicals.
Link to Elle for an article on Glycation effects on the body, ~I do not endorse the products that she recommends at the end.
Veterans Administration Article ‘Supplements for Skin Health‘
