1. UV light
UV light is one of the biggest factors in premature aging and skin damage. While many people focus on protecting their skin from sunburn, different types of UV rays can contribute to more than just burns—they can accelerate aging, cause dark spots, and break down essential proteins like collagen and elastin. Over time, this damage leads to fine lines, wrinkles, and even more pronounced acne scars.
"You have UVA1, UVA2, and UVB light. UVB light on the electromagnetic spectrum is actually more responsible for skin cancer, so it's very important to protect against UVB rays. But the UVA rays—UVA1 and UVA2—are the ones responsible for brown spots, which we call solar lentigines, as well as aging, thinning of the skin, loss of collagen, loss of elastin, and the breakdown of extracellular matrix proteins. This thinning of the skin causes dermal atrophy, leading to fine lines, wrinkles, larger pores, and the accentuation of acne scars from our youth, which appear more open and stretched as we age due to the loss of structural fibrous proteins in our skin," Dr. Kappel reveals.
Additionally, she says this happens due to "ultraviolet light exposure, and although sunscreen helps, you're still getting daily exposure—whether you wear sunscreen or not—which accelerates aging over time. However, those of us who use sunscreen, even though it doesn’t provide 100% protection, will experience dramatically less photo damage and a slower breakdown of collagen and elastin fibers. This helps keep our skin looking more youthful over time."
2. Blue light
Blue light is another factor that contributes to skin aging, yet it often goes unnoticed. Unlike UV rays, blue light falls within the visible wavelength spectrum of the electromagnetic spectrum and is emitted from everyday devices such as tablets, iPhones, computer screens, and other digital displays. Since most people are exposed to blue light daily, it plays a significant role in skin damage over time.
Dr. Kappel explains the effects of blue light on the skin, "Blue light is on the electromagnetic spectrum between infrared light and UV light. It exists within the visible wavelength spectrum and is emitted from our devices—our iPads, tablets, iPhones, and computer screens. It's something we endure on a day-to-day basis.
Whether you're talking about blue light or ultraviolet light, these energy sources increase oxidative stress in the skin. As we get older and accumulate more damage, our body's response to produce new collagen weakens, accelerating aging. This is the physiological process that occurs when our skin is exposed to both blue light and UV light."
3. Excess glucose or high glycemic index
Excess glucose and high-glycemic index foods can have a significant impact on collagen breakdown, contributing to premature aging. Just like UV light, blue light, and environmental pollutants, high-glycemic foods can accelerate skin aging by damaging collagen fibers through a process called glycation. This occurs when sugar molecules attach to collagen, making it stiff and more prone to degradation over time.
Dr. Kappel explains the effects of high-glycemic foods on collagen and aging: "High-glycemic index foods or glycation of collagen fibers can break down collagen, just like UV light, blue light, environmental pollutants, and toxins do—accelerating aging. Not only will you look older, but you’ll probably feel older and less healthy when consuming high-glycemic foods. You also want to avoid simple carbohydrates like white bread, white pasta, white rice, popcorn, and similar foods that easily convert into glucose, contributing to collagen damage and overall skin aging."
4. Stress
Chronic stress can take a serious toll on your skin by increasing cortisol levels, a hormone that plays a key role in collagen breakdown. Elevated cortisol levels not only accelerate aging but also contribute to skin thinning, fine lines, and loss of elasticity. Lack of sleep and prolonged stress further intensify this effect, making it crucial to manage stress for healthier, more youthful skin. Dr. Kappel explains the connection between stress, cortisol, and collagen degradation: "Stress leads to increased cortisol levels, and we know that cortisol wreaks havoc on the skin. Cortisol levels rise when you’re stressed and when you lack sleep. When this happens, cortisol binds to the glucocorticoid receptor, which can degrade collagen types I, III, and IV in the skin. So, do what you can and take the necessary steps to reduce your cortisol levels to help protect your skin and maintain its youthful structure."
5. Artificial colors/flavors
Artificial colors, often found in processed foods, candies, sodas, and snacks, can negatively affect your skin. These synthetic additives contribute to inflammation, which can weaken the skin's structure by breaking down collagen and elastin—the proteins responsible for maintaining its firmness and elasticity. Over time, this can lead to visible signs of aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores, and accentuated acne scars.
Dr. Kappel emphasizes the importance of avoiding artificial colors and sweeteners for maintaining healthy, youthful skin: "They’re pro-inflammatory and increase inflammatory cascades, which can break down collagen and elastin, the structural, supportive proteins in our skin. This can cause diminished structural integrity of the skin, fine lines, wrinkles, enlarged pores, accentuation of acne scars, and thin, weathered, sun-beaten skin."