Friday, May 30, 2008

How to avoid wrinkles

I really enjoyed this video since I am so worried about waking up one day with wrinkles under my eyes. Even if I do not have any presently, I am a little paranoid about those fine lines that are around the eye area (crows feet), lines around the mouth (laughing lines) or the line on the forehead. So we cannot escape from the wrinkles which age us; it is inevitable. But there is no harm in preventing them. Sarah Chapman, a beauty expert and skin specialist, gives advice on the best ways to help prevent and avoid wrinkles.

Au revoir

Thursday, May 29, 2008

7 invisible causes of aging skin

The 7 invisible causes of aging skin

As the iQ Derma website indicates, the skin is an organ that have many specialized cells and structures. As you age, changes take place within both the epidermis and dermis that can dramatically affect the appearance of your skin. The following are explanations of what is happening inside your skin as you age, or what iQ Derma researchers refer to as “the 7 invisible causes of aging skin”:

1) Reduced Cellular Activity
Your body does not regenerate new skin cells as quickly.
2) Free Radical Attack
Highly reactive particles within cells cause them to function poorly or die.
3) Collagen and Elastin Break-down
These are the structural proteins that keep skin firm and tight. Dermatologists estimate that you lose about 1% of your skin’s collagen every year after age 30. The production of new collagen also slows, resulting in thin skin and less elasticity. (See Fig.1 & Fig.2)
4) Fatty Tissue Buildup
This occurs under thinning skin around the eyes, causing puffiness and bags to form.
5) Cellular Deterioration
This process accelerates as we age due to prolonged exposure to the sun and environmental toxins. Old cells collect on the surface of the skin.
6) Weakened Capillaries
These minute blood vessels under the eyes leak small amounts of blood. The result is the appearance of dark under-eye circles. (See Fig. 3)
7) Degradation of the Skin’s Moisture Barrier
The result is drier skin as we age. Based on these 7 invisible causes of aging skin, iQ Derma researchers have determined that the 7 keys to delayed aging are:
1) Healthy cell activity
2) Reduction of free radical1
3) Synthesis of collagen & elastin
4) Reduced fatty tissue
5) Delayed cell deterioration
6) Strengthened capillaries
7) Improved moisture barrier function

Wednesday, May 28, 2008

Why skin changes as you age?

Being in my 20s, I'm concern with skin aging. I was on iQ Derma website and learned that skin aging is caused by a combination of Intrinsic, Environmental, and Mechanical factors.

Intrinsic Aging: As a person ages, skin biology changes. Every person's skin undergoes the same changes at a microscopic or cellular level: Cell function slows down, leading to a break down of structural proteins and a decrease in your skin's ability to repair itself. This is called Intrinsic Aging. While we are all pre-programmed to experience Intrinsic Aging, the extent and speed at which these changes occur varies from person to person depending on genetics.

Environmental Aging: The role of the sun cannot be overstated as the most important cause of prematurely aging skin. As much as 80% of premature skin aging is caused by sun damage. Both UVA and UVB rays cause harm leading to wrinkles and pigmentation problems such as uneven skin tone, blotchy skin, and age spots.
Sunlight impairs collagen fibers, stimulates production of enzymes called metalloproteinases (MMPs) that further degrade collagen, and contributes to over-production of oxidants, also called free radicals. These are unstable molecules that can destroy skin cells, causing skin to "spoil."
Furthermore, the role of sun exposure in skin cancers is proven. This is another reason to reduce the amount of time you spend in the sun without protection. Wear a broad spectrum sunscreen to minimize risk and help prevent further damage to the skin.

Mechanical Aging: Repetitive facial expressions caused by small muscle contractions stretch skin and break down structural proteins. The effects of these expressions accumulate over time, leading to frown lines (those between the eyebrows), laugh lines (wrinkles at the corners of the mouth), and crow's feet (lines that radiate from the corners of the eyes). Gravity also contributes the drooping or sagging skin by pulling down on the jowls eyelids.

Au revoir