Skin elasticity test-how youthful is your skin?

How youthful is your skin?..

As we age, our skin loses it's elasticity becoming leathery and wrinkled. This is the result of free-radical destruction and is a sign of degeneration and loss of function. A significant change in the skin becomes evident at about the age of 45.

The following skin test indicates approximately how old functionally the skin has become as a result of free-radical deterioration.

Take this test and see how your skin rates as compared with the age group listed. Test to see if your skin is functionally younger or older than your biological age. For this test – pinch the skin on the back of your hand with the thumb and forefinger and hold it for five seconds. Let go and time how long it takes for the skin to flatten back out. The shorter the time, the younger the functional age of the skin is. Compare you results to the table chart below.

Time (Seconds)               Functional age (Years)

1-2                                      under 30
3-4                                      30-44
5-9                                      45-50
10-15                                 60
35-55                                 70
56 or more                       over 70

How did you fare in the skin test? Older or younger than your true age or were you right on target?

If you’ve noticed your skin elasticity isn’t what it used to be, follow these easy tips: 

• Decrease your sugar intake—this doesn’t mean you should eliminate all sugar since whole grains, fruits and vegetables turn to glucose, a type of sugar, when they’re digested. But you should keep your sweets to a minimum at no more than 10 percent of your total calories. Also, avoid high fructose corn syrup.
•  Wear sunscreen—skin elasticity is lost more quickly when left unprotected and overexposed to the sun.
• Antioxidants!—this word seems to pop up constantly when talking about skin elasticity and anti-aging. These compounds are the weapon against cell-damaging free radicals that can lead to premature aging. Eating healthy foods like cranberries, walnuts, red peppers and red grapes can help save skin elasticity and maintain suppleness and youth.

In order to maintain your skin’s elasticity, avoid harmful and damaging life style choices like smoking, drug, alcohol consumption and using products that are harmful to your skin. If you’re feeling stressed try relaxation techniques to lessen these feeling for the sake of your health, beauty and longevity.