You’ve probably heard the saying “you are what you eat.” Well, it’s true — if you eat a lot of junk or highly processed food, your body isn’t able to perform at its best, and your appearance can change for the worst. A diet high in sugar will accelerate the aging process. On the other hand, certain foods can actually help your looks and skin. They might not work miracles, but making sure you eat foods that are high in nutrients and vitamins can go a long way towards improving the look of your skin. It can also help maintian the results from any surgical procedures you’ve had, allowing then to last longer.
Pomegranates
Pomegranates can help your skin in several different ways. First, they are high in vitamin C, an antioxidant that naturally protects against sun damage. Second, they contain punicalagin, a nutrient that increases the body’s production of collagen; a substance vital for keeping the skin smooth and firm. Along with laser skin treatments, which also stimulates collagen production and helps to smooth wrinkles, routinely adding pomegranates to your rdiet can help keep your skin looking smooth and youthful. For maximum benefits, try eating the seeds from a whole pomegranate, rather than drinking the juice. This will give you the whole nutritional package, including all important fiber.
Berries
Whether you prefer blueberries or strawberries, eating a handful every day can be good for your skin. Berries are great sources of antioxidants, including vitamin C, which not only protects against sun damage, but also helps keep skin moisturized. The antioxidants found in berries can help fight off wrinkles, and keep skin firmer for longer by fighting off cellular damage. Whether you’ve had a facelift or not, it can be worth it to add berries to your regular diet to keep your skin looking as youthful as possible.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are another anti-aging powerhouse, thanks to high levels of lycopene and other nutrients. A small study, published in 2008 in European Journal of Pharmaceutics and Biopharmaceutics, found that those who had higher levels of lycopene in their system were more likely to have smoother skin. Lycopene is an antioxidant that helps fight free radical damage; it can also offer protection against the damaging effects of the sun.
If you really don’t like the taste of raw tomatoes, there’s some good news: cooked tomatoes, such as those found in tomato sauce or ketchup, tend to have higher levels of lycopene. Furthermore, tomatoes aren’t the only food source of lycopene. You’ll also find it in watermelon, red peppers, and carrots.
Leafy Greens
When Popeye eats his spinach, he’s not only helping increase his strength; he is also helping out his skin. Spinach and other leafy greens, such as kale, contains beta-carotene and lutein, two powerful antioxidants that benefit the skin. These two nutrients are thought to help improve the elasticity of the skin, so that it’s less likely to sag or droop. To get the most from your leafy greens, you should eat three cups every week. You can enjoy the wide variety of greens lightly sauteed or raw in a salad.
Fish
Fish, particularly cold water fish such as salmon and mackerel, are great sources of Omega 3 fatty acids. Your body needs omega 3’s for a number of reasons. When it comes to the health and appearance of your skin, omega 3 fatty acids help by improving the strength of your skin cells membranes, locking in moisture. The fatty acids can also help reduce inflammation and minimize the damage caused by skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis.
Along with adding the above foods to your diet, making other small changes can also have a positive impact on your skin. Certain beverages, such as green tea, contain antioxidants that can benefit your skin. The catechins found in tea are thought to help minimize or reduce age spots and hyperpigmentation.
Diet alone won’t keep you looking youthful forever. However, eating right, combined with a few carefully chosen cosmetic procedures, can do a lot to improve your appearance and minimize the signs of aging.
To get more information on the different types of nonsurgical procedures available, and tips on ways to improve your diet, contact Mirror Mirror Beauty Boutique at 281.810.9083. We offer a wide variety of noninvasive beauty treatments, such as microdermabrasion and laser treatments, which can rejuvenate the skin and help you maintain a healthy complexion.