Skin Ageing

The science of skincare has progressed so far we had no problems finding ingredients capable of slowing down Collagen Breakdown, Sun Damage, Oxidation, Glycation and Inflammation.

Ageing is characterised by the loss of collagen and elastic, decline in circulation, decrease in repair of damaged tissue, increase in scar tissue deposits, slowing of epidermal turnover, damage to DNA and increased MMP (enzymes that break down collagen and elastic) activity.

One of the biggest contributors to the formation of premature wrinkles is UV exposure.  Chronic UV exposure is the cause of many types of Skin Cancers and pigmentation disorders. It causes premature ageing by thinning the epidermis as well as causing breakdown of collagen, elastic and a decrease in GAG (Glycosaminoglycans) formation
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A second major contributor is expression lines. These are wrinkles that are caused by muscle contractions (facial expressions). This leads to the compression and folding of the skin layers resulting in wrinkle formation. Initially these wrinkles only appear when the muscle contracts, however, as the skin ages these folds become more prominent and appear when the muscles are at rest.

The treatment strategy for ageing includes increasing the skin’s antioxidant and food supply, stimulation of collagen and elastin, removal of scar tissue, increasing epidermal turnover, correcting moisture and oil levels and improving the skin’s UV protection.

Collagen.
Keeping the skin firm, plump and wrinkle-free, Collagen is the principle structural protein of the skin. Like many components of the body, collagen undergoes continuous turnover, being produced and recycled on an ongoing basis throughout your life. When you are younger, your body makes more collagen than it loses, but after about the age of 40, collagen loss can accelerate, leading to a decline in the health and appearance of your skin.

Our genetic predispositions play a big role in determining both the speed of collagen production and breakdown . One in three people have a genetic variation that predisposes their skin to accelerated collagen breakdown, which results in the appearance of premature wrinkling, ageing and sagging of the skin.


Glycation.
If you're like most people, and then no one has ever told you about glycation. Affecting Collagen and Elastin fibres, glycation is now well recognised to be a leading cause of accelerated skin ageing, causing Collagen and Elastin fibres to lose their ability to function normally, glycation is heavily implicated in accelerated skin ageing. One in two people are genetically predisposed to reduced genetic protection against Glycation
Our genetic predispositions play a big role in determining serum glucose levels. Key variations in this genetic category play a key role in preventing glycation of your skin. It is responsible for controlling serum glucose levels, energy intake, and energy release. Having variations in this gene can alter your body’s ability to maintain normal glucose levels and interfere with energy metabolism, both of which lead to glycation.

Glucose is the sugar your body uses as its main source of fuel. If not metabolized properly, glucose can bind to your skin’s collagen and elastin fibres forming abnormal chemical bridges that cause tissue damage. This process, called gyration, causes your skin to become rigid and lose elasticity. Glycation also impairs your skin’s ability to regenerate, which leads to skin laxity, cracking, thinning, redness, and inability to self-repair.

Sun damage / pigmentation.
The sun’s UV rays are one of the most significant causes of premature skin aging. Your genes play an important role in determining how well your skin can naturally cope under the strains of the sun.
Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light from the sun accounts for 90% of the symptoms of early skin ageing, skin damage, and skin cancer. Every time your skin is exposed to UV light, skin damage occurs. The cumulative effect of repeated sun damage causes epidermal DNA damage, persistent inflammation, and oxidative stress, negatively affecting the health and appearance of your skin.
Our genetic predispositions play an important role in determining how your skin can naturally cope under the strains of the sun. Use an enhanced skin care protection strategy such as those offered by Skinceuticals that is specially designed to provide the utmost protection for your skin.
Scientists now believe that free radicals are causal factors in nearly every known disease, from heart disease to arthritis, cancer to cataracts. In fact, free radicals are a major culprit in the aging process of the skin itself.

Antioidants
Research has shown that the amount of antioxidants in your body is directly proportional to the healthy long term appearance of your skin! Free radicals are highly reactive short lived molecules that can damage virtually any molecule in our body – including the important cellular structures found in the body’s largest organ - the skin.

Not all people have the same amount of these powerful free radical scavengers. A numbers of skin related genetic variations have been found to alter the production of antioxidant protecting molecules.
Excess inflammation is one of the most common themes in early onset of ageing.
Ever wonder why your skin becomes sensitive in the winter? Or why your skin breaks out in the heat? How about developing a skin rash or rosacea after applying perfumes or skincare? Many of these redness and sensitivity issues are instigated by your bodies’ first primal defense - inflammation.

Up to four in five people have a genetic variation that can cause an over reactive inflammation response .Your genetic predispositions play a big role in determining the supply, or the over-supply of inflammation production. Key variations tested in this category can identify numerous over-reactive inflammatory mechanisms that cause skin irritations.