As a man, when you think about looking older you often imagine wrinkles, gray hair… or balding. About 66 percent of American men experience hair thinning by the age of 35, while 85% have noticeable thinning hair by age 50. But it’s not just genetics that contribute to these stats; there are various factors that influence a man’s hair and skin health including stress, nutrition, metabolism, and environment.
As you read on you may find that these 5 common habits in men –which may seem unrelated to aging– have been with you for a while. So, are these making you look older? And what can you do to maintain a youthful hair and skin appearance for longer? Keep reading.
1. Too Many Sugars
We all know sugary drinks and foods can pack on the pounds. But did you know they actually accelerate your cell aging, too? According to a study published in the journal Clinical Dermatology, when we consume high levels of sugar, it binds to amino acids in collagen and elastin. This binding damages the amino acids and makes it harder for the body to repair them.
So, yes. What you eat directly affects your hair and skin health. As made simple by GQ Magazine: “The good: omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, fiber, low-glycemic meals, Vitamins A, C, and E. The bad: inflammatory foods, sugary snacks, high-fat meat.”
2. Too Little Sleep
Yes, this seems to be an obvious one. But do you know why? A night with less than the suggested 7-8 hours of z’s will not only make you look tired and weary, but make you age faster.
When you sleep, multiple body systems go through its renewal and repair. And when there’s not enough time for these processes to be complete, you can start saying bye-bye to your youthful skin and hair. Remember, we all need rest, and that does not make us lazy. It makes us human!
3. Too Much Slouching
This is a tough one. As men, mostly, we are usually not aware of how we sit, stand, or drive, unless somebody else points it out to us. Slouching, or bad posture, can make you look older by causing dangling neck skin folds that make your face seem more sunken-in and wrinkled.
Our advice? Try keeping a mirror parallel to your workspace so you can catch yourself at it and slowly start to correct it.
4. Too Much Stressing Out
Ohh, we know this one. When we stress, our cortisol levels are elevated, causing anything from heart disease to a decline in libido levels, and yes, premature aging. Not only that but stress has long-time been related to hair loss. Why? Because when you are losing hair and continuously notice these bald patches, you get more stressed.
And men, being more prone to lose hair from an earlier age, can easily enter this vicious stress cycle. A way to break it is to consider using products that instantly reduce the visibility of those bald spots. By doing so, you give your hair the chance to return to its natural growth phase. No extra added stress.
You may also like: Tips & Hacks to Deal with Stress and Prevent Hair Loss
5. Too Much Toxins
And in #5 of the 5 common habits in men… Smoking. Drinking. Or any excess of both. We are not saying you should halt on these practices, but keeping an eye on how often you do them can definitely make a difference. Tobacco is loaded with chemicals that may harm your collagen and elastin. Drooping eyelids, under eye bags, lip wrinkles, jowls and lines around the mouth? No, thank you.
We are what we repeatedly do…
We’ve all got bad habits. And whilst some are easier to moderate than others, it’s always good to be aware of them before it’s too late. When you want to feel and look younger, recognizing what’s keeping you from it is key.
So, guys, did you catch any of these 5 common habits in men present in your day to day life? Are these habits making you look older? Now you know what to do to keep your appearance young, for longer.
