Where You Live Can Age Your Skin Early

New data demonstrate the correlation between geographic location and the formation of wrinkles. The study lists the 50 most wrinkle-prone regions in the United States, and the underlying factors that may cause skin to age.

The DMV ranked 11th in a study of wrinkle-prone cities. (Graphic: Johnson & Johnson)

Researchers at Sperling’s BestPlaces and RoC Skincare conducted a meta-analysis of original and existing data to assess the impact of lifestyles, occupational and environmental elements on the skin by region and came up with 50 areas that are most susceptible to wrinkles. Can you guess where Washington D.C. was ranked? The complete list is at the end of this article.

The DMV had the study’s highest score in the Occupation category. This was due mainly to the lengthy commute time (33.9 minutes one-way, 24 perecent higher than average) and a longer-than-average work-week of 35.4 hours. The high Occupation score was offset by one of the lowest scores for Lifestyle risk, meaning we take care of ourselves. Our skin cancer rate is 15 percent below average (2.3 deaths per 100,000 residents), as are the number of smokers (14.6 percent of us). The Environment score hovers near average for the study, with the biggest risk coming from a significant presence of ozone in the atmosphere. Overall stress is low, thanks to one of the lowest unemployment rates (4.6 percent) in the country.

Everyone knows the dangers of UV exposure, but there are other factors that are regionally based that also take a toll on your skin. This includes not getting enough sleep and working late hours. While investigating a combination of all these factors, the study showed that no two areas’ risk for aging was identical. For instance, New York residents have the longest commute and the third highest number of sleepless nights. This moved the Big Apple to the second most wrinkle-prone city in America.

What can you do to counteract the wrinkles? Well, beauty and skin care go hand in hand. Starting good skin habits at a young age will contribute to younger looking skin in our not-so-young years later on. Besides good daily habits of serious skin care, there needs to be use of skin protection during the day.

Ninety percent of wrinkles, dark spots and sagging skin are caused by sun exposure. This is why doctors recommend always wearing SPF 15 sun protection products at all times.

The reasons our skin changes over time is due to skin collagen breaking down. There are several reasons this happens, but there are ways to reverse some of the damage. We can do things to prolong and even reverse damage that will take off years without expensive doctors’ office treatments. There are products with collagen repair proven to improve damage. Retinol and organic skin care antioxidants such as green tea extract and vitamin C are also affordable and proven to bring back your skin’s beauty without having to use harsh or expensive products.

TimeWise can reduce the appearance of fine lines, target skin resilience and help skin tone look more even. (Photo: Mary Kay)

Aside from skin care repairs, your daily facial cleansing habits are also important. Very few soaps are properly balanced for facial use. Many will dry out your skin. Only the soaps or cleansers made just for facial washing should be used. Over washing is also bad for your face because it removes many natural oils that should be there. Luke warm water is recommended because hot or cold water can break down capillaries.

One more very important point for serious skin care is once a week exfoliation. A good at-home kit is affordable and easy to use. It is important though to use small-grained exfoliates and not large-grained because large grains can do more damage than good. Using the small-grained exfoliate once a week, a glow will come back to you skin. Moisturizing is also important to keep that glow going.

It does not take much to get back beautiful skin. This can be achieved with just a few good anti-aging skin care products and good habits of commitment. A little effort will go a long way and the glow of your skin will show!

50 geographic areas most susceptible to skin aging

Article by Elizabeth Acosta. For more information on products that can assist with your beauty needs or a complimentary skin care analysis, contact her at elizabethkacosta@marykay.com.