Key Ingredients for Fighting Your Skin's Visible Signs of Aging

Your Skin: 
The skin is the largest organ of the body, and is significantly affected by the aging process. Estrogen receptors have been detected on the cellular components of the skin and lower levels of estrogen influence the skin-cell metabolism.  Changes in the skin collagen leads to diminished elasticity and skin strength. There is a distinct reduction of collagen production after menopause. Changes in vascularity are found following menopause. Dermal blood flow decreases significantly in postmenopausal women.
 
Repair functions in skin are regulated by a group of chemicals called 'cytokines'.  Included in these are epidermal cell growth factor (ECGF), transforming growth factor (TGF), and angiogenesis factor (AF). AF stimulates the rebuilding of the microvascular system within the skin. TGF and ECGF stimulate rapid cell growth for the replacement of dead or damaged cells.
​​

The Role of Sun Exposure:
​Excessive exposure to UV rays causes oxidation of the collagen and elastin fibers in this skin.  This, in turn, causes 'crosslinking'.  Crosslinking causes the collagen in the skin to become tangled and stiffen.  This results in sagging and loss of skin elasticity, and allows facial expressions to put deep lines and wrinkles in the skin.  Some of this UV damage can be prevented by the use of sunscreen and sunblock. 
​​

Some of this damage can be reversed by the use of chemical peels, laser treatments,  microneedling, and microdermabrasion - where the outer layer of the skin is purposefully injured with either acidic formulas, lasers, needles, or mechanical devices.  This targeted injury then helps to remove the damaged layers and stimulates the production of a stronger, thicker layer of skin, with healthy collagen. ​

Benefits of Skincare:
​Prescription grade skincare, like Alastin with TriHex® technology, can also help remove old damaged collagen and elastin while restoring an optimal environment for new collagen and elastin production. This results in:

• smoother skin texture
• more hydrated skin
• enhanced skin elasticity
• stronger skin barrier to protect against future damage
• improved appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, and thin skin
• damaged skin barrier protection ​

Available on Natural Beauty Medical Aesthetics website or through Cindy at Shear Bliss

Free Radicals:
Free radicals are molecules created by oxidative chemical reactions within the body. These free radicals damage cellular DNA and cause mutations of the skin cells. Free radical damage can be prevented by the use of antioxidants, both internally and topically. Antioxidants attract and bind these free radical molecules, rendering them harmless. Examples of topical antioxidants include vitamins A (retinol), C & E, resveratrol, selenium, and green tea extract.
 
Premature skin aging can be avoided by preventing excess exposure to sunlight and pollutants, as well as providing skin with the nutrients it needs to repair itself.  Provide your skin with the building blocks it needs by maintaining adequate consumption of major antioxidant nutraceuticals.​

Nutrition for Aging Skin:

ZINC: Zinc is required for collagen production and elastin synthesis, as well as DNA repair. Zinc is required for  the production of certain proteins that remove damaged or mutated tissue as well as for superoxide dismutase, a powerful antioxidant. Great dietary sources of zinc include mushrooms, oysters, lean sources of meat, dairy, green veggies, nuts, & dark chocolate.
 
COPPER: Copper helps to stimulate the production of collagen and elastin, helps to thicken the dermis, and increases vascularity and oxygenation. Dietary sources include beef, oysters, unsweetened chocolate, potatoes, mushrooms, nuts, & seeds.
 
SULFUR: Sulfur is a component of the protein Keratin found in nails, hair and skin. Sulfur is essential for the production of collagen and it is required for the production of the connective tissues. Dietary sources include meat, eggs, seafood, allium veggies (e.g. garlic, leeks, onions, scallions, shallots), cruciferous veggies (e.g. broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, radishes), and whole grains. 
 
Vitamin A: Also known as retinol.  A serious lack or excess intake can cause dry, rough skin, among other problems. Good sources come from dairy, eggs, green leafy veggies, and oily fish.
 
Vitamin C: Known for its antioxidant with photoprotective properties when topically applied.  Dietary sources, while not directly linked to photoprotection are potent antioxidants fighting inflammation and oxidative stress. Sources include citrus fruit, peppers, berries, broccoli, brussels sprouts, and potatoes.
 
Vitamin D:  Vitamin D has been shown to reverse skin damage and increase wound healing. While there are a few dietary sources (oily fish, red meat, egg yolks), Vitamin D is primarily produced in the body in response to sunlight, and has been shown to have a beneficial effect on skin repair and hair growth.  Those residing in the northern hemisphere often need Vitamin D supplementation.
 
Vitamin E: Vitamin E is a powerful antioxidant.  Experiments show that it may protect against the degradation of collagen, and prevent skin damage by environmental insult and aging.
 
CoQ10 (Ubiquinone): Internal and topical application of CoQ10 has a beneficial effect of preventing photoaging. CoQ10 penetrates into the top layers of the skin and reduces the level of oxidation. Reduction in wrinkle depth following CoQ10 application has also been shown in clinical trials. CoQ10 prevents oxidative DNA damage and suppresses the degradation of collagen. Dietary sources include oily fish, organ meats, and whole grains.

Lycopene: A carotenoid readily found in tomato paste, watermelon, pink grapefruit, mangos, sweet red peppers, & asparagus. It helps protect the skin against photo (sun) damage and environmental pollutants. 

Lutein: A carotenoid found in green leafy vegetables, egg yolks, corn, and durum wheat, that protects the fibroblasts - from which collagen is synthesized, structural framework for tissues is produced, and plays a role in wound healing.

I hope to see you soon at Shear Bliss Salon and Spa. 

Don't forget to check out the rest of our website for more information on medical aesthetics and wellness treatments, or our Alastin skincare line.

Take care and find joy in every day!

Cindy Fehr RN(NP)

Resources:

1. Addor F. (2017). Antioxidants in dermatology. Anais brasileiros de dermatologia, 92(3), 356–362. https://doi.org/10.1590/abd1806-4841.20175697
   
2. Alonso, C., Martí, M., Barba, C. et al. Skin permeation and antioxidant efficacy of topically applied resveratrol. Arch Dermatol Res 309, 423–431 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00403-017-1740-5
   
3. Burke, K.E. (2018). Mechanisms of aging and development - A new understanding of environmental damage to the skin and prevention with topical antioxidants. Mechanisms of Ageing and Development, 172, 123-130. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mad.2017.12.003.
   
4. Burke, K.E. (2018). Protection from environmental skin damage with topical antioxidants. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 105(1), 36-38. doi: 10.1002/cpt.1235
   
5. ​Farris, P., Krutmann, J, et. al. (2013). Resveratrol: A unique antioxidant offering a multi-mechanistic approach for treating aging skin. Journals of Drugs in Dermatology, 1(12), 1389-1394. ​
   
6. Government of Canada. (2020). Vitamin D and calcium: updated dietary reference intakes.https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/food-nutrition/healthy-eating/vitamins-minerals/vitamin-calcium-updated-dietary-reference-intakes-nutrition.html#a10