Why Having a Sweet Tooth Can Lead to Looking Older
It's common knowledge that having young-looking, smooth skin ends up hindered by the sun and time. Most people may not know that having a fondness for treats that are on the sweet, sugary side can also accelerate the aging of your skin.
This was a finding that stemmed from research that's been done about diabetes. Sugar will end up causing glycation, which in turn speeds up skin aging. Whenever your bloodstream has excessive glucose, a plethora of issues with your skin can arise. This includes but is not limited to brown spots, sagging, wrinkles, and yellowing skin.
Read on to find out why having a sweet tooth can lead to you looking older:
Glycation
As previously mentioned, glycation is caused by sugar consumption. This is when your body's lipids, protein, and similar molecules end up binding with sugar. This results in free radicals being created, damaging your cells and causing them not to operate like they’re supposed to.
Any skin care expert will be able to tell you what happens next: elastin and collagen, the skin molecules which give you a youthfully tight complexion, can't function. It also leaves you more prone to stressors from your environment like cigarette smoke, pollution, and UV light.
Advanced Glycation End products
Also known as glycotoxins, this is the term used for the sugar by-products that your body gets as a result of the glycation. On top of causing skin aging, there are also certain health concerns that can be triggered by this, such as:
Acanthosis Nigricans - Texture on your nape, armpits, elbow folds, and even the backs of your fingertips; it is usually velvet-like and darker than the rest of your skin.
Necrobiosis Lipoidica Diabeticorum (NLD) - This is more of a yellow-brown plaque, and will typically appear on your anterior shins.
Scleredema Adultorum - Beginning from your nape, this unusual stiffness and thickening of your skin can spread to your back, chest, and your upper shoulders.
How can this be addressed if you don't want to cut sugar out of your diet?
Of course, ideally, no sugar means no problem. However, that's the more extreme solution. Besides, what about the sugars in fruits like cherries, grapes and mangoes? Fruits have a vast nutritional value. Sugar comes in different forms: chocolate, desserts like cakes and pies and as a sweetener to your morning coffee. The next best thing is to take your sugary treats in moderation.
If you have to have cookies or ice cream, try not to overdo it. A chocolate cookie every so often or an ice cream cone on occasion won't hurt. Look for low-sugar options where possible. For best results, you can also try substitution. In the case of non-dessert sugary foods like white bread, try going for multigrain bread instead.
Conclusion
Everyone loves a good sugary treat, but what can be sweeter than a youthful glow? If you can't drop the sugar, your best bet is to cut down on your intake where you can. If you're unsure of the state of your skin, get a skin consultation to find out your best plan of action moving forward.
In need of a virtual skin consultation? I’m Kim Gallo, and I’m a local esthetician with over 25 years of experience. Get in touch with me today, so I can help you reach your skin goals!