Facial Rejuvenation –Supplements to Wash Away the Years

Why is it that some of us are better at aging gracefully than others? Take Helen Mirrin or Michelle Pfeiffer for example. Not a jowl or turkey neck in sight! Does it merely come down to genes and bone structure or is there something we can do to slow down or even reverse the aging process?

To understand this we need to look skin deep. The skin is the largest organ of the body made up of multiple layers of tissue. The skin contains about 70% water, with the remainder being protein, fats, trace minerals, nucleic acids, and numerous other elements. The inner layer is made up of a cartilaginous matrix, which consists mainly of “soft” keratin, elastin, collagen and another substances called proteoglycans or glycosoaminoglycans (GAGs). Like everything in the body, the skin requires certain nutrients to make keratin, elastin, collagen and GAGs. Essentially we should get all these nutrients from our diet but some of us are more deficient in these nutrients than others. This may be why some people look so good for their age. Without these nutrients, our skin will begin to deteriorate and signs of aging, such as wrinkling and age spots, will occur. By supplementing with skin nutrients we can slow down the aging process.

What’s skin made of?

Keratin

Keratin is a structural matrix, which makes the outermost layer of the skin almost waterproof, and along with collagen and elastin, gives skin its strength. Keratin is made up of the proteins called glycine and alanine.

Elastin

Elastin, is also a protein in connective tissue that is elastic and allows skin to resume its’ shape after stretching or contracting. It is primarily composed of the proteins called glycine, valine, alanine, and proline. Approximately one third of elastin fibres are comprised of glycine and there are also high levels of proline.

Collagen

Collagen is the main protein that makes the skin. Collagen has great tensile strength, and is also the main component of cartilage, ligaments, tendons, bone and teeth. Interestingly collagen also strengthens blood vessels and is therefore important in the treatment of varicose veins. Along with soft keratin, it is responsible for skin strength and elasticity.

Aging and collagen

As we age, collagen production declines, leading to the wrinkle formation and sagging. Chondrocytes are cells that make collagen. They are responsible to produce and maintain the cartilaginous matrix of the skin, which consists mainly of collagen and proteoglycans. Nutritional therapy including glucosamine stimulates the chondrocytes to make cartilage.

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plover   |Author |2008-04-05 14:47:47 And don't forget Lauren Bacall and the wonderful Honor Blackman. If I look like her at her age (which will be a miracle with my keloid skin) I'll be very satisfied indeed! Personally, I suspect it's partly yur outlook on life (NEVER frown but overall it is probably largely genetic. It doesn't matter what you put on your skin. If the "foundation" isn't solid, the whole edifice will come crumbling down eventually but if we accept that,the question is what will help us make the best of what we have? As someone who is outdoors on the farm in all weathers, I can dry to a crisp very quickly and the skin on the backs of my hands can dry out so much that they feel like paper and crack and bleed especially if it is wet and windy. I find things that are reasonably close to the skins natural oils work best...Shea butter and Argan in particular.

whitewitchzita     |SAdministrator |2008-04-05 19:28:16 Having children seems to put lines on a womans face that weren't there before. Have you ever noticed that? When I was a teenager I used to occupy myself by guessing if a woman had had children or not just by looking at the lines on her face!

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