Anti-Ageing Skin Study
A new study that offers enlightening insights on the environmental causes of skin ageing has just been released.
Scientists in the US studied 65 pairs of identical and non-identical twins who share the same genes to examine the environmental causes of skin ageing. By using twins with the same genetic make-up, the research could deduce that the influences that affect one twin but not the other are likely to be environmental.
The research found that sunburn, smoking and being overweight are key factors in making people look older than they are, the new report warned. However, on the plus side, the findings revealed that drinking alcohol actually appeared to offer protection against sun damage!
Up to 40 per cent of ageing-related changes in the study were due to non-genetic factors, with long-term sun exposure causing changes to the skin that result in ‘photodamage’.
However, drinking alcohol was found to significantly reduce photodamage risk. ‘It is known that certain alcoholic beverages (e.g. red wine) contain polyphenols such as resveratrol, which is an effective antioxidant,’ said lead researcher Kathryn Martires, from Case Western Reserve School of Medicine in Cleveland.
Although higher bodyweight was associated with more photodamage, the reverse appeared to be true for older people. ‘For those 54 or older, weight correlated negatively with photoageing, implying that although excess fat may increase skin’s susceptibility to damage, it may help mask the appearance of wrinkles in older age,’ said the study.
Amy Lindsay – MyFaceMyBody.com Journalist
