Normally the first visible sign of aging is when our skin begins to sag. As time passes, the unavoidable effects of our lifestyle, exposure to sun and other environmental conditions begin to show on the surface of the skin. But many alternative therapies can help you hold onto your youthful appearance.
Diet
Start healing your skin from the inside by consuming the most nutritious foods. Eat a variety of foods that are rich in vitamin A, such as sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, spinach and broccoli. Eat lots of fish to get your omega-3, which keeps the skin supple and vibrant. Add a little flaxseed to your morning cereal to increase your omega-3 intake. Eat a handful of vitamin E-rich nuts every day to give your skin a youthful and vibrant glow.
Exercise
Exercise is one of the most effective ways to firm up sagging, loose skin. Exercise fills up the muscle and tissue cells underneath it with fluids and blood that help tone up the skin, which gives the skin a younger and fuller appearance. Enhancing muscle tone will create more muscle tissue, which will decrease the amount of loose skin in any trouble area of the body, including the inner thighs, the abdomen, the back of the arms and the hip area. Rapid weight loss may also contribute to sagging skin. Aim to lose only one to two pounds per week for healthy weight loss that entails slowly building muscle to replace unwanted fat.
Hydrate
Drink plenty of healthy liquids to keep the skins cells adequately hydrated and supple. To prevent dry and dull skin, drink at least 64 ounces of water daily. If you work out, make sure you drink nutritious beverages before, during and after exercising to restore electrolytes in the body. Incorporate foods in your diet that are abundant in water, such as watermelon, oranges and celery.
Creams
Use creams that have hydroxy acids or collagen and copper peptide. Our skin cells naturally contain collagen, which strengthens the skin and provides elasticity. These skin-firming creams are relatively well-known, but you must allow up to six months of persistent use to see an improvement.
Facial Herbal Treatment
Simmer three handfuls of chamomile, which is an herb that has calming and soothing qualities, in 3 qt. of water for about a half hour. After simmering, take it off the stove and put your face over the steam that is rising; allow enough time for the steam to fully absorb into the skin. For better results, place a towel over your head to prevent the steam from escaping.