Your skin is one of the first areas of your body that starts to show signs of ageing. Some skin-related changes as you age are unavoidable. However, there are several lifestyle changes and skin care tips you can undertake to assist in reducing the signs of ageing skin.

In saying this, it is important to keep in mind that some changes in the skin are part of the healthy ageing process. While many of us would prefer these changes not to occur, the Better Health website classifies signs of healthy ageing skin as:

• Thinning
• Sagging
• Wrinkles
• Age spots
• Dryness
• Broken blood vessels.

The below senior skin care tips can assist in reducing or slowing down the signs of ageing skin.

Drink lots of water

Drinking enough water each day is essential for staying in good health, as your body relies on it to function. Did you know that your skin is your bodies largest organ? Just like every other organ, if your skin is dehydrated it will begin to show the effects. This will start with your skin feeling dry, tight or flaky. Skin that is dehydrated, particularly on a regular basis is far more likely and prone to wrinkles.

Use sunblock

The harmful UVA rays caused from the sun can not only cause melanomas, they can penetrate so deeply into your skins layers that it begins to break down collagen and elastin. This will mean that the more exposure your skin has to these rays, the more it can sag and thin. The infamous Slip, Slop, Slap, slogan by the Cancer Council is exactly what every person, no matter their age, should be actioning. The application of sunscreen being one of the most important steps.

Many studies have even shown that you should apply sunscreen even when you are indoors as the reflection and UV rays through your windows can still be doing harmful damage to your skin.

Don’t smoke or stop smoking

If there were not already enough good reasons for you to not smoke or quit smoking, the damage it can do to your skin should be another big factor. Smoking not only reduces the elasticity of your skin, making it more likely to sag, the repetitive facial actions associated with smoking can cause deep wrinkles.

In fact, several studies have shown that smoking can cause more damage to a person’s skin than exposure to sunlight.

Get regular skin checks

One of the recommended health checks seniors should be regularly having, is a skin check.

As well as this, the Cancer Council has also put together a check for signs of skin cancer guide to help you in getting to know your skin and signs of changing.

If you are concerned about your skin or its appearance, always seek professional guidance from your doctor or dermatologist.