The Act of Aging

THE ACT AGING Your skin is the largest organ in your body. It is a vastly complicated network of cells that essentially protects your sensitive body from the germ-infested world around you. This defense takes its toll, and everyone's skin eventually starts to age. WHERE DOES IT START? DECREASED CAPILLARY CIRCULATION DECREASED SLUGGISH CELLULAR TURNOVER LIPID CONTENT EPIDERMAL THINNING DECREASED COLLAGEN E ELASTIN FIBERS WHY DOES SKIN AGE? Collagen is a significant connective protein that is responsible for your skin's tightness. After the age of 20, your body makes 1% less collagen with each passing year. The loss of collagen in the skin leads to wrinkles and droopiness. COLLAGEN Elastin is a protein that is responsible for giving your skin the ability to stretch and retain its original form. Fibroblast cells lose their ability to produce elastin as you age. This loss of elastin contributes to wrinkles. ELASTIN Sebum is oil produced by the sebaceous glands that protects the skin from moisture loss. The glands produce less sebum as the body ages. This causes dryer skin that is more fragile and less healthy than well-hydrated cells. SEBUM Melanin is a skin pigment responsible for skin color. Moles and liver spots are areas where excess melanin has clumped together. As you age, your body produces more melanin, causing a greater appearance of age spots as well as a heightened risk of melanoma. MELANIN Ultraviolet radiation exposure dramatically increases the aging process of your skin. It also greatly increases the risk of basal and squamous cell carcinomas and melanomas. UY DAMAGE HOW TO PREVENT IT WEAR SUNSCREEN SPF 1S+ • Exposure to ultraviolet radiation rapidly increases the skin-aging process and is the primary cause of early wrinkling. • Wear sunscreen: 15 SPF or higher greatly reduces risk of skin damage. AYOID CIGARETTES • Cigarette smoke ages skin by releasing an enzyme that breaks down collage and elastin. 1. • Smoking can result in skin 40% thinner than that of a non-smoker. GET SOME SLEEP •7-9 hours a night is the adequate amount of rest needed for the body. • Sleeping in the same position every night can cause facial wrinkle lines. These usually show up around the eyes and cheeks and across the forehead. EAT THE RIGHT FOODS • Omega-3 fatty acids hydrate the skin and lessen the appearance of wrinkles. • Antioxidants, such as vitamins C & E, help protect against UV damage. • Zinc is in essential component of collagen formation. • Lycopene protects skin from sunburns. KEEP A SKIN ROUTINE FACE WASH • Wash skin regularly, scrubbing for at least 2 minutes every day. • Use a moisturizer that complements your skin type. ANTI-AGING CREADE • Use anti-aging skin products. Sources: http://www.livestrong.com/article/76070-skin-aging-process/ http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/wrinkles/DS00890/DSECTION=causes\ http://www.webmd.com/healthy-beauty/features/23-ways-to-reduce-wrinkles http://www.oprah.com/style/Improve-Your-Skin-with-These-Foods http://www.k2suncare.com/uploads/images/uv-radiation-skin.gif http://www.genconnect.com/health JeNu