Facing up to science
Eight (high-tech) ways to achieve better skin health
IN AN increasingly technologically driven world, it makes sense to turn to high-tech solutions in order to achieve optimal skin health.
By using certain technologies, it seems we can actually slow the aging process rather than just masking it.
Increasingly, the research shows that many skincare products won’t work the way we’d like and we need to turn to cosmeceuticals and cosmetic medicine, using non-invasive or minimally invasive skin rejuvenation procedures.
Here are the eight stand-out treatments I’ve invested time, money and effort in over the past 15 years for better skin health.
1. Cosmeceuticals
Cosmeceuticals are medicalgrade skincare products that are scientifically proven to have an impact on skin aging. They contain active ingredients and work on the deeper layers to encourage moisture retention as well as support skin regeneration.
2. Use a high-quality sunscreen
Too much sun is toxic and wreaks havoc on our cells. Four out of five wrinkles and most of the unwanted spots on our face are due to sun exposure. In fact, sunlight is responsible for most of the visible changes in our skin’s appearance as we get older.
3. Use injectable treatments
There are a number of popular injectables, the best known being anti-wrinkle injections and these mostly affect the appearance of the skin by relaxing underlying muscle. Some, such as volumisers, aim to directly stimulate the production of natural matrix-bulking components in the deeper parts of the skin and have a longer-lasting impact.
4. Get rid of sugar
Sugar is an enemy of the skin and accelerates skin aging by causing the production of AGEs (Advanced Glycation Endproducts). AGE modification of collagen in our skin leads to the skin becoming less flexible and less resilient to harm. AGEs also trigger an inflammatory response and this is a major contributor to skin aging.
5. Hormone modulation
As we age there is a substantial decline in hormone function resulting in significant changes to our skin. There are many and varied hormones that impact the skin including the sex hormones, growth hormone and melatonin.
Menopause is when we often start to notice accelerated hormone changes and our skin starts to sag, it may get oilier or drier, and its elasticity declines. The outer layer can become thinner and we become more prone to sun damage, hyperpigmentation and age spots.
Some of these effects can be modulated when using hormone modulation (for overall health) to improve skin health.
6. Laser rejuvenation
The heat emitted from a laser affects the deeper layers of our skin, causing our collagen to contract.
This tightens the skin and the ensuing wounding process stimulates an inflammatory response that removes the old damaged collagen and replaces it with new. This new matrix is more organised and flexible, which means increased elasticity and strength and an improved smoother, tighter appearance.
7. Platelet rich plasma injections
PRP is derived from our own blood which is placed in a centrifuge for 5–8 minutes in order to separate the plasma and concentrate the platelets.
These platelets contain large quantities of bioactive proteins known as growth factors and they are pivotal in the repair and regeneration of our skin. They initiate connective tissue repair and improve overall wound healing.
We can inject these growth factors back into our skin to aid rejuvenation as well as rub over open wounds generated by laser treatments.
8. Stem cells
Stem cell therapy is a relatively new technique to add volume and/or reduce wrinkles and sagging in the skin on the face.
Stem cells are elements in our body that stimulate other cells into action – in this context tightening the skin, renewing skin cells and improving collagen production.
We can stimulate the production of stem cells (derived from our own fat) in a lab and then inject them into areas we’d like to support.
When coupled with actual fat injections we can also achieve an increase in volume in areas we inject (this is known as a stem cell facelift).
Kate Marie is the co-author of the Slow Ageing Guide to Skin Rejuvenation and the best-selling book Fast Living Slow Ageing. For more information, visit www.slowaging.org.