Skin Care Science

Your skin and hair are what people notice first when they look at you. When you are young, your skin looks smooth, radiant, and firm. This is mainly due to key proteins and molecules in the skin – collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid. Collagen and elastin provide the skin with firmness and elasticity, while hyaluronic acid keeps the skin hydrated and resilient. In your mid-late 20’s, you slowly start to lose collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid.

There are several factors that come into play. The presence of free radicals (unstable molecules) and inflammation play an important role in the process of dermal aging, as it can cause breakdown of these skin components. Your skin will slowly become dull, dry, thin and will start to sag. Smoking, sun exposure, pollution, poor diet and certain chemicals can contribute to the production of free radical formation and the aging process.

While it’s not possible to stop the aging process, you can certainly take steps to preserve a youthful appearance. Avoiding smoking, using broad-spectrum sun protection, exercise, getting enough fresh air and maintaining a proper diet are extremely important. Also important is avoiding synthetic chemicals that may be harmful to your skin. There are many botanicals in nature that contain high levels of vitamins, fatty acids, antioxidants and anti- inflammatory substances that are a much healthier alternative to synthetic compounds.

Skin Care Tips

Preventing Crow’s Feet And Eyelid Wrinkles

One of the primary causes of crow’s feet and wrinkles is frequent contraction of the facial muscles, such as squinting. Sunlight and very bright lights in a room or on a monitor can cause squinting, as can eyestrain from declining vision and reading without eyeglasses or contacts.
• Avoid squinting and straining your eyes find wearing sunglasses or a hat on sunny days.
• If you find it increasingly difficult to read small print, then have your vision checked to see if you need reading glasses.
• Do not use ultra-bright settings on your smart devices.
• Avoid rubbing your eyes and avoid pulling at your eyelids to apply eyeliner or mascara.
• Use skincare products at least twice daily around the eyes that are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, humectants (moisture preserving) and ingredients that stimulate collagen production.

Hair Loss

There are a variety of factors and conditions that lead to hair loss including genetic, hormonal, environmental and self-inflicted hair loss from improper hair care. The most common type of hair loss in women is female pattern hair loss, accounting for 40 – 55% of hair loss in females. The most common type of hair loss in men is male pattern baldness, accounting for 95% of hair loss in males. This type of hair loss typically occurs in middle-age, but some individuals experience this hair loss as early as in their 20s.

Hair loss in women tends to accelerate after menopause. Hair loss is progressive as one ages. Hair near the temples and forehead often recedes and women may also experience widening of the hair partition. As we age, our hair strands also tend to grow thinner and become more prone to breakage. There are many remedies to address hair loss. The earlier one starts to address hair loss, the better are the chances of preserving as much hair as possible.