Facial Wrinkles

What Causes Wrinkles

An increased understanding of the structure and function of the skin is helping to drive the development of products that reduce the visible signs of facial aging, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).

With aging, all skin cells begin to produce excess amounts of free radicals--unstable oxygen molecules that, under ideal circumstances, are removed by naturally occurring antioxidants within the skin's cells. In aging skin cells, antioxidants are in short supply. The free radicals generated are left unchecked and cause damage to cell membranes, proteins, and DNA. These free radicals eventually break down a protein substance in connective tissue (collagen) and release chemicals that cause inflammation in the skin. It is a combination of these cellular and molecular events that leads to skin aging and the formation of wrinkles.

As we get older, two components of our skin--collagen and elastin--degenerate, setting the stage for the appearance of wrinkles, creases, folds, and furrows. The breakdown of these components, accelerated by sun exposure and gravity, results in the sagging skin of old age.

Considerable research has been done to understand the aging process, and studies now show that products containing bioactive ingredients (those that interact with living tissues or systems) can benefit sun-damaged, discolored, and aging skin, giving consumers new choices for restoring their overall appearance.

Normal Skin & Chronological Aging

Normal Skin Layers
The skin is made up of 3 layers - the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue.

• Epidermis
  The epidermis is the outer layer and functions as a barrier to the external environment. The cells of the epidermis, keratinocytes, move from the bottom layer of the epidermis to the top layer building up a large amount of keratin and developing a tough outer shell. Once these cells reach the top layer, they flake off. If this process becomes abnormal the skin can look scaly.
• Dermis
  The second layer of skin is the dermis, which contains the structural elements of the skin, the connective tissue. There are various types of connective tissue with different functions. For example, collagen gives the skin its strength, proteins called glycosaminoglycans give the skin its turgor, and elastin fibers give the skin its elasticity or spring. Dermal-Epidermal Junction: The junction between the dermis and the epidermis is an important structure. The dermal-epidermal junction interlocks forming fingerlike projections called rete ridges. The cells of the epidermis receive their nutrients from the blood vessels in the dermis. The rete ridges increase the surface area of the epidermis that is exposed to these blood vessels and the needed nutrients.
• Subcutaneous Tissue
  The bottom layer of skin is the subcutaneous tissue containing fat cells. These fat cells provide insulation to the body and make the skin look plump or full.

Chronological Aging and Wrinkles
As a person ages the epidermal cells become thinner and less sticky. The thinner cells make the skin look noticeably thinner. The decreased stickiness of the cells decreases the effectiveness of the barrier function allowing moisture to be released instead of being kept in the skin. This causes dryness. The number of epidermal cells decreases by 10% per decade and they divide more slowly as we age making the skin less able to repair itself quickly.

The effects of aging on the dermal layer are significant. Not only does the dermal layer thin, but also less collagen is produced, and the elastin fibers that provide elasticity wear out. These changes in the scaffolding of the skin cause the skin to wrinkle and sag. Also, sebaceous glands get bigger but produce less sebum, and the number of sweat glands decreases. Both of these changes lead to skin dryness.

The rete-ridges of the dermal-epidermal junction flatten out, making the skin more fragile and making it easier for the skin to shear. This process also decreases the amount of nutrients available to the epidermis by decreasing the surface area in contact with the dermis, also interfering with the skin's normal repair process.

In the subcutaneous layer the fat cells get smaller with age. This leads to more noticeable wrinkles and sagging, as the fat cells cannot "fill in" the damage from the other layers.

Aging Effects of the Sun and Wrinkles
Exposure to ultraviolet light, UVA or UVB, from sunlight accounts for 90% of the symptoms of premature skin aging. Most of the photoaging effects occur by age 20. The amount of damage to the skin caused by the sun is determined by the total lifetime amount of radiation exposure and the person's pigment protection.

How to Prevent Wrinkles

As we age, our skin loses moisture and elasticity making it prone to wrinkles. Dermatologists have many tools for tackling those little lines that mark the passage of time. They include prescription creams, chemical peels, and injections of the toxin Botox, which paralyses facial muscles temporarily so you can't wrinkle your skin when you frown, for example, or with other facial expressions. But perhaps the best option is to protect your skin just as it is, and to do what you can to keep it healthy.

• Lotions and creams: Use a lotion or cream that contains alpha-hydroxy acids, or AHAs. AHAs come from milk, fruit and sugar cane, and act by clearing away dead cells on the surface of your skin. These products encourage collagen growth, which fills in wrinkles. They also couneract free radicals - rogue oxygen molecules in your body that can damage your skin. Since AHAs can sometimes cause irritation, try rubbing a little of the product on a small patch of skin first. If the patch doesn't turn red by the next day, the moisturizer is safe for you to use.! Do not be afraid of the department store beauty counter. Find a friendly, helpful consultant and ask her for advice. She will most likely be thrilled to help explain the industry to you, and has done all the research for you.
  
• Exfoliate your skin twice weekly. This eliminates dead, dry skin cells, and encourages the production of healthy new cells. Smooth, exfoliated skin absorbs moisturiser better, and so is better hydrated.
• Soak a clean flannel in milk and apply it to your skin. Milk contains alpha-hydroxy acids.
• Apply fresh aloe vera gel, which contains malic acid.
  • Cut off a leaf at the base.
  • Slit it open.
  • Scrape out the gel with a spoon, taking good care not to rupture the green rind, and apply.
• Applying papayas will lessen the appearance of wrinkles because they contain enzymes that can etch away the top layer of your skin.
  • Wash and peel a papaya.
  • Thoroughly mix 2 tablespoons of the pulp with 1 tablespoon of dry oatmeal to help exfoliate your skin.
  • Apply it to your skin and leave it on for 10 minutes. Scrub off the mixture with a flannel.
• Apply a moisturizer every morning after washing to help retain moisture and make your skin feel softer. Look for the moisturizers that also contain sunscreens to protect your skin from ultra-violet rays. Don't forget to apply moisturizer to your neck and hands as well as your face.
• Try an avocado facial. This supplies moisture plus vitamin E, an antioxidant.
  • Puree the pulp.
  • Smooth it on your face.
  • Leave it on for 20 minutes.

• Healthy Diet: Having a healthy diet would work miracles in our skin. Research has proven that aging can be slowed down and we can successfully get rid of wrinkles if we maintain a balanced diet that is anti-wrinkle.

  • a. Drink at least 6 – 8 glasses of water daily to keep your skin hydrated. Water is a natural emollient.
  • b. Eat foods rich in antioxidants like dark green vegetables for instance asparagus, sprouts, watercress, broccoli, etc and fruits like guava, tomatoes and papaya. Antioxidants thwart the oxidation process that magnifies the visibility of wrinkles.
  • c. Drinking green tea is great as it has potent antioxidant properties.

  Watch your diet. Drink plenty of clean water, avoid excess sugar, and eat a balanced diet. Omega 3 and 6 fatty acids are essential for healthy skin cell structure. Eat nuts, oily fish, and avocado. Pile your plate with plenty of fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds. These provide vitamins A,C and E - antioxidants that block harmful free radicals before they can cause skin damage. Drink enough water to make your urine very pale. This really does help to keep your skin moist.

• Avoid excessive use of your facial muscles. Repetitive facial movements cause the skin to crease into expression lines. Do not raise your eyebrows to ridiculous heights in order to express sur. Do not frown frequently or screw up your face every time something irritates you.
• Don't smoke. It impedes all of your skin's functioning processes. You can never look good if you smoke. Do not be fooled by airbrushed photos of those chain-smoking catwalk models. Up close, they're disasters. Smoking is harmful to our skin. It damages our skin tissues and hinders regeneration of collagen. Collagen is partly responsible for the elasticity of our skin. Guess what happens when the production of collagen is affected? Our skin starts to lose its elasticity and sagging takes place. Wrinkle lines appear.
• Never use a tanning salon. Half-an-hour on a sunbed does more harm than lying on the beach all day without sunscreen.
• Exercise regularly to maintain general health and improve circulation to the skin - this will make you glow. Exercise for 20 - 30 minutes most days of the week. You've probably noticed that exercise can make your skin flush - a sure sign that oxygen and nourishment in your blood are reaching the capillaries in your skin.
• Understand that wrinkling is a natural part of life. The skin decreases in quality with age. Collagen and elastin fibres stiffen, and the rate of skin cell production slows. Aging is part of the human condition. It is not a negative process! Live well and enjoy yourself. Wrinkled skin bears no relation to your worth as a person. People do not love you for your wrinkles, or lack thereof. By maintaining a healthy skin you will only develop subtle wrinkles, which will trace your most frequent facial expressions. Smile!
• See a dermatologist twice annually for a peel.
• Wear a hat - it's simple but effective for keeping the sun off your face. Consider sunglasses also - they help stop you from screwing up your eyes in the bright sunshine all the time. Exposure to the sun damages skin cells and destroys the collagen and elastin fibres which support your skin, keeping it bouncy. When these fibres stiffen, the skin droops, and creases into wrinkles. Wear sunglasses to avoid "crow's feet" - wrinkles that come from screwing up your eyes. Even existing crow's feet can fade after several month of consistently wearing sunglasses. Never sunbake. A little sun is good and healthy for our skin. Too much of it, especially ultraviolet-A (UVA) rays, can cause great damage to our skin tissues, particularly collagen and elastin. Deformities in these connective tissue take place and wrinkles are developed. On sunny days, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen to your face, neck and other areas of exposed skin before you go out-doors, and head for the shade in midday sun. Sun block with adequate sun protection factor (SPF) is effective in protecting our skin against the harms of ultraviolet-B (UVB) rays. It does nothing much against UVA which is the big time culprit against our skin connective tissues. UVA penetrates deep within the skin. The saying of beauty is only skin deep does not apply here since it is the damage beyond the skin surface that would affect our beauty. Look for sun block that offers protection against both UVA and UVB.
• Make sure you sleep on your back. Sleeping on your side or stomach creates wrinkles, because you bury your face in the pillow and the wrinkles are ironed onto your skin as you sleep. Use a silk or satin pillowcase to reduce the press and pull of fabric on your skin as you sleep. The case looks luxurious, too!

Fighting the signs of Aging

People have been fighting the signs of aging for centuries. Nobody wants to look older and everyone wants to hold on to their youth. In today’s world where it seems everyone can look like they are in their twenties forever, there are many tips for aging skin care.

The following lists 9 key elements in a comprehensive system for daily anti-aging skin care. Follow this complete guide and visibly reduce the signs of aging and fight wrinkles for younger, firmer looking skin.

1. Bio-Hydria Complex- Plant nutrients in the Bio-hydria complex soothe & conditions. Antioxidant vitamins protect against oxidative stress.

2. Vitamin C, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate: Biologically active form provides vitamin C to the body, collagen, elastin and ground substance ( the strength & elasticity of the skin) production.

3. Nanosphere Technology- Microscopic spheres offer targeted release of beneficial ingredients deep in the skin’s surface.

4. Elhibin and Stimu-Tex- Improve the natural epidermal lipid barrier. The barrier protects against Leukocyte elastase and fibroblast elastase, two key enzymes that contribute to aging skin.

5. Alpha Lipoic Acid- a powerful anti-oxidant which protects against free radical exposure while increasing cell metabolism

6. Kojic Acid- Natural skin lightening

7. Copper- visibly smoothes, softens, and firms skin. Helps reduce the appearance of fine lines while promoting younger-looking skin.

8. Alpha and Beta Hydroxy Acids- Increases cell sloughing

9. Peptides- Improve skin roughness and lessens the appearance of wrinkle volume and wrinkle depth.

These 9 key elements for aging skin care are easy ways for you to stop or reverse the signs of aging. They do not require a large bank account and anyone can easily do them. In fact, a person will find as they take care of their skin the rest of their body will be taken care of as well, so it is a great situation all around.

Beauty Food Tips For An Antiaging Boost

Interest in skin care supplements, or beauty foods, has been strong in Asia, and that trend is growing fast in Europe as well. These nutrient rich beauty foods make a good case for starting a beauty regime from within, one that is designed to prevent or reduce the effects of aging, like sagging skin.

Some products on the market include a supplement containing lacto-lycopene, vitamin C, and soy isoflavones. This is aimed at restoring firmness to the skin for women over 40, and was developed by Nestle and L'Oreal. Others have been developed using lycopene and grape seed extract, both antioxidants. Grape seed extract also stops enzymatic reactions that lead to collagen in the skin being broken down.

Antioxidants protect the capillaries in skin and thus ensure that enough nutrients get to the living cells that eventually push their way to the surface and become the skin you see in the mirror. They also protect from broken veins and early wrinkling. Capillaries also deliver oxygen to the cells, and remove the waste products of cellular metabolism. This prevents puffy, sagging, and dull skin.

But you don't always need to reach for a bottle of supplements. Simply by eating more antioxidant rich food on a daily basis should see some improvement in skin tone. Fruits rich in antioxidants include blueberries, prunes, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, apples, cherries and plums. And of the vegetables, eat more artichokes, broccoli, red cabbage, pontiac potatoes, brown onions, asparagus, non-green capsisum, beetroot, spinach and sweet potatoes.

Women are more prone to the damage caused by antioxidants than men, according to research from the University of Berkeley, and hence possibly their aging effects (Angyal).

Another strong antioxidant is beta carotene. Beta carotene is found in green leafy vegetables, fruit and carrots. This antioxidant has been found to counteract the effects of a particular type of oxygen free radical, singlet oxygen, which occurs after the skin is exposed to UV radiation in sunlight. UV exposure can lead to premature aging by the effects of singlet oxygen. A study found that whilst the provitamin A aspect of the carotenoid did not combat the singlet oxygen, the beta carotene did. It prevented the action of two enzymes, associated with UV light and the destruction of the skin cell's extracellular matrix, which happens in premature aging of the skin. Sunlight also destroys beta carotene in cells after sun exposure, so this beta carotene has to be replaced.

Beta carotene has been reported as having a mild sunscreen effect too, though it needs to be taken as a supplement to get this effect.

The skin care supplement beauty market is still not a strongly developed one however, as these types of supplements tend to be more expensive than other supplements. And there needs to be more research and clinical trials to prove which products do what they are designed to.