Anti-Aging

[Naturally]

(Re-edited from Greatskin.com)

Restoring one’s skin to that of a teenager has been sought after my many. It is the essence of all the skincare hype over products and as a result, a multi billion dollar cosmetic and cosmeceutical industry.

Cosmetics which merely hide, or create an illusion of beauty by accenting certain features like high cheekbones, lips or eyes while de-emphasizing other features such as uneven skin texture or lines are just that ..products used for those purposes.<O

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Cosmeceuticals, on the other hand, are products, which effect a change in the skin toward healthier, thicker skin. The process of aging causes a gradual loss and disorganization of elastin and collagen fibers, the supportive matrix of the skin, as well as dehydration. The result is lack of “bounce†or rebound to the skin matrix. The physical appearance is of droopy, thin, wrinkled skin.

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What causes premature aging?<O

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The main cause of premature aging of the skin is excess solar exposure to rays UVA and UVB. The result is excessive oxidation of the collagen and elastin fibers, which results in a process called “crosslinking.†Normally, collagen and elastin fibers are found in nice thick even rows spread parallel to the skin surface in the basal layer of the skin. With cross linking, the fibers become disorganized and entangled into many disorganized bundles which cause the skin to dimple, sag and become susceptible to the force of gravity. Muscles of expression further result in deep lines caused by repeated use.

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What is available for skin rejuvenation?<O

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Cosmeceuticals are products, with ingredients, which theoretically stimulate collagen and elastin renewal. Many of these products are available and generally have ascorbic acid, pycnogenol and proanthocyanidins. All of these are potent antioxidants, thus free radical scavengers. Free radicals are damaging molecules created by oxidative chemical reactions, which attack cellular DNA resulting in cellular mutation and malformation of collagen synthesis. Theoretically the application of free radicals to the skin can diminish this problem, but only if the substance can penetrate deep into the actively dividing cellular layer of the dermis. With the protective epidermal barrier this becomes difficult. Chemical and mechanical peeling can result in exfoliation of the epidermis.

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Why remove the skin’s protective epidermal barrier?<Ohttps://forum.makeuptalk.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif</Ohttps://forum.makeuptalk.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

First, removal of this barrier does make one more susceptible to photo damage and further collagen crosslinking. However, when the skin notices the loss of the epidermal barrier, it reacts by thickening the dermal layer, the living tissue layer. The result is thicker, plumper, pinker, healthier looking skin. Thus, a series of chemical or mechanical (dermabrasion) peels can be helpful, but only if strong sunscreen is used.

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What are some internally and externnally applied products that help retard skin aging?<Ohttps://forum.makeuptalk.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif</Ohttps://forum.makeuptalk.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

Internally, antioxidants such as vitamins C, E, CoQ-10, pycnogenol, grape seed extract, and Microhydrin® are very powerful. Externally, Topical Vitamin applications in bioactive forms can be very helpful, as they are antioxidants, but also prevent UVA and UVB penetration. Glycolic products, such as M.D. Forte, promote superficial exfoliation and promote dermal thickening, as do the tretinoin (vitamin A acids) derivatives (Retin A) and the retinol (vitamin A alcohols) derivatives of retinol creams. Many physicians will combine many of the ingredients and products into customized skincare programs designed specifically to address the skin needs of individual clients.<Ohttps://forum.makeuptalk.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif</Ohttps://forum.makeuptalk.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

Agents such as hydroquinone, Kojic acid and bilberry can fade dermal pigmentation by shutting off the enzyme tyrosinase, which results in melanin production. Through turning off melanin production in the skin and slowly exfoliating the skin, one can achieve beautiful even skin tone at any age.<Ohttps://forum.makeuptalk.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif</Ohttps://forum.makeuptalk.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

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Products containing DMAE and Alpha Lipoic are particularly effective for Anti-Aging.

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Liposomes are tiny little balls of fat which deliver pharmacologically active ingredients to the dermis such as ascorbic acid, other antioxidants, tretinoins, oxygen containing molecules and moisturizing substances. Vitamin C and some of the components of Beef colostrum can stimulate the skin’s ability to withstand infection (immune system). Sun blocks are perhaps the best products to retard premature solar aging. A good, thick makeup base with a sun block within is a woman’s best friend!<Ohttps://forum.makeuptalk.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif</Ohttps://forum.makeuptalk.com/images/smilies/tongue.gif

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[kerri]

Naturally, I am happy to see this subforum.......I definitely now qualify for aging/maturing skin! I love skin care products too!!