It’s safe to say most people don’t want to need plastic surgery when they get older. It’s great to have the option to fix areas of your body that you want to improve, but feeling as though you need it can be very stressful, especially if it’s out of your budget. Thankfully, there are many things you can do now to reduce your chances of feeling like you need a procedure down the road.
Improper Sun Protection
You already know you should be wearing an SPF every time you go outside, no matter the season. But did you know that sunblock is just the beginning? It’s true – in order to protect your full face, you should be wearing protective eyewear on sunny days. That means you should always wear sunglasses with 100 percent SPF protection. Why? Because even if you put SPF on your eyelids, you’ll probably squint your eyes if it’s bright outside, which over time contributes to eye creasing and crow’s feet.
Ear Gauges
Ear gauges are those wide earrings that gradually expand the piercing in your earlobe until you are left with gaping holes that can be as big as 4 or 5 inches wide. While they may look cool with gauges in, should you ever decide to remove those gauges, it can be extremely difficult for those holes to close on their own. Unless you are planning on wearing gauges for life, you will eventually need reconstructive surgery to repair your earlobes. This surgery can cost thousands of dollars and may make it impossible to wear any kind of earring ever again. This is one trend we recommend you skip if you don’t want a costly plastic surgery bill down the road.
Cigarettes and Drugs
There are so many reasons why you shouldn’t use recreational drugs like cocaine or other snorted or sniffed drugs. They are extremely addictive and can cause everything from stroke to memory loss, overdose, seizures and mood disorders. They can also cause you to engage in unsafe and risky behaviors that can cause many other issues including STDs, car accidents and more.
Snorting drugs can also cause serious damage to the inside of your nose, like septal perforation and massive nasal collapse. If you abuse snorted or sniffed drugs, you increase your odds of needing nasal reconstructive surgery later in life. If you are abusing these drugs and need help, please contact Narcanon at 1-888-775-4532 for free, confidential help.
Though legal, cigarettes are also terrible for your skin, and can cause everything from heart disease to cancer to periodontitis, including loss of teeth, tissue and portions of your jaw bone. It can also yellow your teeth and cause premature aging.
Excess Sugar Consumption
Sugar seems harmless, right? But while a little bit of sugar now and then shouldn’t be too problematic, excessive sugar consumption after age 35 can cause a process called glycation, which causes the collagen molecules in your skin to lose their elasticity, speeding up the aging process. Cutting back your sugar consumption at any time in your life can help stop glycation and keep you looking younger, longer.
Picking at Acne or Popping Pimples
Picking at blemishes on your skin can feel so good sometimes, especially if the pressure of a clogged pore is causing you pain. Unfortunately, picking at your acne can also cause infection and lead to permanent scarring, leaving your skin with pock marks or discoloration. If you want to hold off on procedures like chemical peels and laser resurfacing, avoid touching your face as much as you can!
If you have any questions about the procedures offered by Dr. Chau, or to learn more about how you can prevent damage to your skin and body, please give Dr. Chau’s office a call at 888-966-9471.