Cellular regeneration
As we mature, our body’s metabolic functions slow down. This includes cellular regeneration – meaning we produce fewer new skin cells. Older skin cells mean older looking skin.
The good news is that the simple choices you make every day can help to speed up cell turnover and keep your cells functioning at peak levels.
Genetics
To some extent, the way our skin ages is passed on from our parents. The appearance of your parents’ skin may give you some clues as to what your own skin will look like as you mature. It is important to remember, however, that environmental factors and how we look after our skin plays a larger role in ageing. Thanks to advances in skincare technology, even hereditary ageing can be slowed down and corrected with effective care.
Hormone deficiencies
As women age, our bodies produce less estrogen – especially after the menopause. Reduced oestrogen levels can cause a substanial loss of skin collagen. This is the substance that keeps our skin firm and elastic.
Women lose about 1% of their skin collagen every year after age 30 and up to an additional 30% in the first 5 years following menopause.
Facial movements
Repetitive facial expressions such as frowning, smiling, squinting and yawning stretch the skin and break down structural proteins. Over time, this leads to frown lines (between the eyeborws), laughter lines (at the corners of the mouth) and crow’s feet (that radiate from the corners of the eyes).
Lack of moisture
To illustrate the importance of moisture to skin, a good example to use is dough. When dough has enough moisture, it can be pulled and stretched. If the dough has dried out, however, it will break and crumble. This is similar to what happens when our skin dries out; dry skin actually begins to split and crack when stretched by facial expressions.
"Taking care of your skin is more important than covering it up"
Sun exposure
Sun damage is the number one factor in skin ageing. Protection early on is vital, as there can be a 20-year time lag before the full ageing factors of sun damage appear.
Solar radiation from ultra-violet (UV) rays triggers a cell-destroying chain reaction in the skin. This reaction is called ‘free radical attack’. Prolonged exposure to sun can also dehydrate the skin and over-stimulate pigment-causing cells, leading to discoloration.
UV rays
Once formed, free radicals are likely to create a chain reaction. As each ‘attacked’ molecule loses an electron to a free radical, it becomes a free radical itself.
Examples of free radicals include sunlight, air pollution, smoking and pesticides.
In terms of ageing, free radicals can prevent a cell from rejuvenating or producing collagen. Waste products that are produced can destroy existing elastin fibres and collagen, further damaging the skin. Production of inflammatory chemicals is also increased.
As our natural defence systems decrease with age, our cellular repair mechanisms begin to fail which means we
struggle to repair damage caused by free radicals. This results in accelerated ageing.
Antioxidants are molecules that protect cells by neutralising free radicals with common examples of these being vitamins A, C and E. Antioxidants prevent cell and tissue damage, delaying the onset of ageing.
At Breagha Aesthetics & Skin Clinic, we have many treatment options to help you get on the right path in terms of caring for your skin, from clinical skincare treatments to some aesthetic tweakments to help not only repair damaged skin but also improve the appearance.
For a full consultation appointment click here https://facesconsent.com/booking?rfrd=28dee3e52394cbf8e862643faac6a735