Sugar had attained villain status only in recent years before which it was a staple in every household's kitchen. Other than accusations such as increasing the incidence of obesity, high BP, diabetes, and more, we now have one more thing to hold against sugar – skin problems.

While you have remedies like skin tightening treatments and more, it still is important to know what affects our body since prevention is better than cure. 

Does Sugar Cause Aging?

Aging is a natural process, and it happens irrespective of sugar consumption. But sugar can accelerate the process since it causes wrinkles and sagging skin. Though the effects of sugar on the skin are much less when compared to environmental factors and natural aging, it still is present and, most importantly, avoidable.

How Does Sugar Intake Cause Wrinkles and Sagging of Skin?

When your sugar intake crosses the recommended levels, your body goes into a hyperglycemic stage. This triggers the glycation process, which results in the production of advanced glycation end products (AGEs).

These compounds are sticky and affect the collagen in your skin. Collagen fibers are bouncy, making them responsible for the skin's youthfulness. AGEs cause the collagen fibers to tangle up, resulting in sagging skin.

Other factors like increased oxidative stress and inflammation that come with aging are also accelerated with an uncontrolled sugar intake. When this process continues, it adds immensely to your biological age, making you look older than you are. This can be noted on your face and all over your body.

5 Signs That Sugar Is Aging You

Your skin will fail to counteract the oxidative damage with a consistent and uncontrolled sugar intake. There will not be sufficient collagen and elastin generation leading to apparent signs of aging in your body.

• Your skin looks hard and shiny
• Discoloration and hyperpigmentation of the skin
• Laugh lines start to look more prominent
• You might notice sagging near the cheeks
• You can notice crosshatch lines along your upper lip

When you see these signs, consider them the warning signs of stopping or controlling your sugar intake. 

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Also Read: 5 Treatments to Get Rid of Sagging Skin and Get Tightened Youthful Skin Instead

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Ways to Prevent Further Sugar Damage on the Skin

Once you start to notice the damage sugar intake has caused to your skin, your immediate action should be to find ways to prevent further damage. Only after this, think of treating the sugar damage. Even after the treatment, continued sugar intake will only keep accelerating the aging process. Here are some steps to prevent sugar damage.

• Restrict sugar intake to 10% of your daily calorie intake.
• Pay attention to the intake of hidden sugars.
• Avoid soft drinks, sweetened fruit drinks, and packaged foods.
• Keep your body hydrated at all times.
• Incorporate water-rich fruits like watermelon, cucumber, and tomatoes into your diet.
• Include supplements like vitamins B1 and B6 (AGE inhibitors).
• Use antioxidant-rich skin products.
• Get good sleep.

Best Aesthetic Skincare Treatments for Wrinkles

While fine lines and wrinkles can be treated, the treatment options reduce when deep lines and sagging skin are involved. Here are the best aesthetic treatment options to consider for battling aging skin.

Chemical Peels

Chemical peels are used to exfoliate the outer layer of the skin underneath, which lies a smoother and less wrinkled skin.

Different chemical peels vary in the concentration of the chemicals used, the intensity, and the effects. Chemical peels can help achieve clearer skin with less visible wrinkles and fine lines.

Dermal Fillers

Dermal fillers help restore volume to the face by the injection of gel-like substances in the required places. This will, in turn, fill out the static wrinkles and provide you with smoother and more youthful skin. Hyaluronic acid is the most preferred type of dermal filler, but there are other options too. The authorized skin rejuvenation clinic professionals can help you find a suitable filler.

Microneedling

This involves using tiny needles to prick the skin, which triggers collagen and elastin production. The newly generated collagen will reduce the appearance of wrinkles and will help with the overall skin texture. Morpheus8 skin tightening is the newest and most effective micro-needling treatment.

Botox

Botox is the most popular of all aesthetic treatment options for wrinkles. Botox consists of a substance called botulinum toxin, which is injected into the muscle to prevent its contraction. Botox is the best choice for the treatment of dynamic wrinkles.

Laser Resurfacing

This treatment involves using a controlled laser beam on the skin to stimulate collagen generation. It also helps in smoothening wrinkles and improving skin texture. If you are concerned about your wrinkles, this should be your treatment choice.

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Read Also: Types of Wrinkle Fillers

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Rani MD

The face is the mirror of the soul and spending some time taking care of it is the best type of self-love. Visit Rani V. Ramachandran MD. to get rid of wrinkles and get your youthful skin back.

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