The findings suggest that poor hydration may accelerate biological aging and increase the risk of chronic disease and death.
You might not realize it, but dehydrated skin can make you appear older than you are and accelerate the aging process. Who wants either of those?!? When our skin lacks water, it can appear dull, dry, and flaky. Dehydration can even cause fine lines and wrinkles to appear.
“Decreased body water content is the most common factor that increases serum sodium, which is why the results suggest that staying well hydrated may slow down the aging process and prevent or delay chronic disease.” This research was supported by the Division of Intramural Research at NHLBI.
Drinking sufficient water can improve skin hydration, giving it a more plump and radiant appearance. However, the impact on overall beauty is dependent on various other factors such as diet, sleep, and genetics. It's important to maintain a balanced lifestyle to see the best results.
Prolonged or repeated bouts of dehydration can cause urinary tract infections, kidney stones and even kidney failure. Seizures. Electrolytes — such as potassium and sodium — help carry electrical signals from cell to cell.
You can reverse most chronic dehydration in two to three days with proper treatment. The time it will take to reverse dehydration will depend on its severity and the treatment method. Drinking water to replace fluids is a longer process than replacing them with intravenous (IV) fluid.
Reduced fluid intake is the most common reason for elevated serum sodium. Thus, Dmitrieva says, “proper hydration may slow down aging and prolong a disease-free life.”
"Anything that exceeds that amount essentially waterlogs the body." When the body can't rid itself of excess water, cells swell to accommodate it. As a result, you may feel puffy and bloated until you slow your water intake so your kidneys can catch up.
Drinking water helps with your body's production of collagen. When you stay well hydrated, your skin is plumped up, which reduces the appearance of pores. Skin that's well hydrated has a radiant glow that gives you a healthier, more vibrant appearance.
Dehydration lines are often temporary and appear as fine, shallow lines on the skin's surface. They are a direct result of insufficient moisture and can be reversed once you are hydrated. On the other hand, true wrinkles are deeper, more permanent folds that we can soften or erase with Botox®.
If you resolve the issue that caused dehydration and you get the correct amount of fluids, mild to moderate dehydration should go away in less than a day. You should seek treatment for severe dehydration in a hospital. With appropriate treatment, dehydration should resolve within two to three days.
Your dietary and lifestyle choices may strongly influence it. Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, eating a lot of salt, or not drinking enough water can dehydrate your skin, leaving it dull and producing wrinkle-like lines.
The cause is usually environmental and lifestyle factors. The most common signs of premature aging appear in your skin, with wrinkles, age spots, dryness or loss of skin tone. Healthy lifestyle habits can help stop and prevent further premature aging.
Other causes of hollow cheeks include dehydration, malnutrition, smoking, a lack of sleep, and harsh weather conditions. You may also find you have sunken cheeks after weight loss.
“Dehydrated skin may appear dull, which may result in the appearance of more noticeable fine lines, wrinkles, and dark circles” Dr. Marisa Garshick of Manhattan Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery Centers and the Clinical Assistant Professor of Dermatology, New York Presbyterian Cornell explains.
Drinking a gallon of water a day is usually safe for most, but drinking too much water can be risky for those with certain health conditions like kidney disorders or heart problems, says Ellen Landes, RDN, CPT, a registered dietician based in St. Charles, Illinois, and owner of The Runner's Dietitian.
Over time, this hormonal imbalance can cause weight gain and water retention. This can lead to swelling and fat deposits in and around your face, and you might look like you have a moon face.
The bottom line
The fastest way to cure dehydration at home is to drink plenty of fluids. The best choice for rehydrating fast depends on what's causing the dehydration. Water is a great choice, in general.
Hydrated Skin Looks (And Feels) Healthy
The benefits of drinking water for your skin are impressive. It helps give it that plump, smooth feeling. It can also give your complexion a healthy, dewy glow.
STAY HYDRATED
Your skin is the last organ to receive the benefits of the hydration, so you want to ensure you're using some topical moisturizer as well. Ensuring your skin stays well-hydrated will help to prevent the injury that leads to (or worsens) crepey skin.
You have more body odor than usual.
Sweat is mostly water, so if you're low on fluids, it can be more concentrated and smell stronger.
For mild issues, you can begin to rehydrate in a just few minutes. However, you will need to rest and continue to replace fluids for several hours before you begin to feel better. This process can take up to 36 hours- and possibly hospital treatment- to recover from more advanced dehydration.
The researchers found that while water — both still and sparkling — does a pretty good job of quickly hydrating the body, beverages with a little bit of sugar, fat or protein do an even better job of keeping us hydrated for longer.