The Science Behind Aging Skin

Posted in: no category in baskun's Blog

The Science Behind Aging Skin The Science Behind Aging Skin by Joseph Constant

To understand the science behind why our skin ages, understand that it is the way that we treat our skin that ages facial skin the most. This is how scientists explain process behind understanding why our skin ages. There are two types of aging. The first is intrinsic; the second is extrinsic. Intrinsic (internal) aging is the rate of aging that occurs as time passes by. Extrinsic or external aging is intrinsic aging added on by external factors such as sunlight, air pollution, and inflammation caused by harsh detergents, rough treatment, cosmetics, and disease processes.

Here is a way for you to understand the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic aging: look at the skin of your face and compare with the skin of your hips and thighs. Here is something else for you to consider; what is the main reason for extrinsic aging? The answer is sun exposure. The exposed skin from the sun is generally more wrinkled and discolored and less firm than the unexposed skin. Added extrinsic damage is the reason that with age the ability of the body to repair itself slows down significantly. When we were younger, our cells could repair themselves nearly perfectly from damage, but for those in their middle ages and even higher, the aging process begins to speed up because we do not have the ability anymore for perfect repair. Why? Here is a hint for you, free radicals. What are free radicals?

Free radicals are oxygen molecules that have lost an electron in interactions with other molecules. Because of this, these molecules are extremely unstable or reactive. In order to heal themselves, free radicals steal electrons from other, healthy molecules. This creates more free radicals in the process damaging, cell components. Although free radicals are entirely natural, they are a by product of normal bodily processes like breathing air or digesting food. Free radicals are also extremely treacherous. Here is why. Every time those free radicals try to stabilize themselves, they damage healthy cells. Even worse, free radicals aren't just produced by our bodies only. They are set free by external factors, including sunlight, cigarette smoke, and air pollution. Here is what all this has to do with aging skin; believe me it has a lot to do with it. Collagen, which is a protein, is one of the substances that gives our skin its youthful suppleness and firmness. Collagen is also susceptible to damage from free radicals. Because collagen stays in our skin for years, free radicals attack it mercilessly. This attack leads to a chemical change called cross linking. This is the fancy way of scientists saying that free radicals cause chaos on the protein molecules that make up our skin and entire body.

Normally, collagen molecules 'slide' over one another which gives the skin its softness and resiliency. Unfortunately, once the collagen molecules are damaged by cross linking, they become stiff and inflexible. This condition tends to make the skin appear old or aged. Even though there are many causes of free-radical damage to the skin, one of the most sinister is sunlight. If only we knew what happens to our skin when the sun hits it, we would think twice before we took that next sun bath while out on the beach. Here is the 411 that you should be aware of. The sunlight activates an enzyme that breaks down fats in skin cells. This fat breakdown produces a chemical called arachidonic acid, the precursor to molecules that can inflame the skin. Theses inflammatory molecules accelerate the aging of skin. Inside your skin cells, free radicals activate molecules called transcription factors.

Transcription factors are chemical messengers that signal cellular DNA to produce proteins that tell your cells what to do. Transcription factors are harmless little molecules that float around inside our cells unless they are activated. As soon as we are exposed to the sun and the sunlight strikes our skin, free radicals are created. These free radicals turn on the transcription factors, causing them to travel toward the center of the cell known as the nucleus. Once they get into the nucleus, they turn on DNA for production of various chemicals. These chemicals are pro-inflammatory which, as was already mentioned, is harmful to the cell and accelerates the aging process. When stimulated by ultraviolet light, these transcription factors can turn on chemicals such as AP-1.

AP-1 begins producing collagen digesting enzymes that can leave tiny defects in the skin. This process gives birth to a wrinkle. A wrinkle is created by tiny little scars that are formed when sunlight activated AP-1 turns on this collagen-digesting enzyme. Is there a solution that helps to repair scars and reduce fine lines and wrinkles? Yes, read our newsletter to find out what that is.

Joseph Constant is the founder of A.R. Skincare, a company devoted to community awareness of natural products using Premium Grade A Shea Butter. Please visit http://www.premium-grade-sheabutter.com/ARNewsletter.html to keep up to date with health and skincare tips. Also visit http://www.premium-grade-sheabutter.com/Benefits.html

Article Directory: Article Dashboard