Skin aging is a process that affects all women. Wrinkles and fine lines appear with age, and the skin’s ability to reflect light decreases significantly. A large part of this process is influenced by the amount of sun we have been exposed to throughout time, as well as hereditary variables. According to studies, the UV radiation we have been exposed to throughout our lives accounts for around 80% of the skin’s aging process, with the remaining 20% dictated by our biological age!
It is critical to remember that any amount of UV rays we were exposed to as children permanently alters the DNA of our skin cells. This indicates that radiation damage that emerges between the ages of thirty and forty is mainly caused by UV rays that we absorbed when we were considerably younger.
Sun Damage and Aging Skin
The damage caused by the sun’s rays is caused by free radicals contained in UV light; they have a detrimental effect on all of our cells, but our skin is usually the first to show signs of damage. If free radicals are not neutralized immediately, they initiate a chemical chain reaction in numerous tissues, resulting in oxidation and irreparable destruction.
Free radicals continuously destroy collagen and elastin fibers, which form the elastic foundation that supports the skin’s structure and provides strength, firmness, and elasticity. The fibroblast cells that manufacture collagen and elastin fibers, as well as other components of the skin structure, are also damaged, the most notable of which is hyaluronic acid, which serves as a water-absorbing gel and gives the skin a smooth, taut, and youthful appearance. Hyaluronic acid content declines with age, causing the skin to wrinkle, deplete, and seem tired and mature.
A case study on premature skin aging
Rickie was thirty-five when she first arrived at the clinic. She was a popular actress, but despite her young age, she was no longer portrayed as the “beautiful woman.” This image of a “attractive young woman” had been a major part of her self-identity for the majority of her career as an actress, and now she was being compelled to play roles for considerably older women.
Rickie believed that “old age had come upon her too soon.” Her skin appeared wrinkled, old, and exhausted. The fact that her friends her age continued to appear young harmed her self-esteem, and when she looked at old images of herself, she struggled to come to terms with the frustration and loss of her attractiveness.
At first impression, Ricky had very light skin that turned red when exposed to the sun, burned easily, and peel. She admits to spending a lot of time at the beach in her teens, saying it was fashionable back then.
Although she had ceased doing this in recent years, pigmentation patches, several moles, and freckles emerged on her shoulders, cleavage, and facial skin, as well as deep furrows in the corners of her eyes. As the talk progressed, it became evident that, in addition to being exposed to the sun frequently in her adolescence, Ricky smoked and consumed small quantities of alcohol.
Another look revealed that her jawline was not as solid as that of other women her age, and deep expression lines ran down both sides of her nose and between her eyes. She appeared to be around 42 years old, despite her slim figure and trendy style.
Identifying the Causes of Skin Aging
Rickie probably had premature skin aging. This process is typical in fair-skinned people who are frequently exposed to the sun, as well as in those who live an unhealthy lifestyle, which includes eating meals deficient in vitamins, minerals, and vital fatty acids, smoking , and consuming alcohol.
Ricky’s skin’s rapid wrinkling was caused by earlier sun exposure, as were the numerous pigment spots and freckles. Smoking also “contributed” by lowering vitamin C levels in her blood by up to 50% of the normal level.
Ricky was treated with external procedures and dietary supplements.
Ricky’s treatment consisted of topical preparations comprising medical quantities of active chemicals such as alpha and beta-hydroxy acids (glycolic, salicylic, and lactic acid), as well as retinoic acid, which produce quick benefits noticeable within a few weeks. However, it is the nutritional supplements that she began taking that have the potential to make the most dramatic impact in cases like this over the next months and years.
These supplements are primarily antioxidants, but some also contain essential components for the formation of collagen and elastin fibers in our skin. All of these have long been shown in big and well-tested research to have a far-reaching influence on our skin, an effect that can be readily noticed after just a few months of continuous use with no additional adjustments to the skin care routine.
Recommended dietary supplements for the treatment of skin aging:
Ester Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Pycnogenol contains alpha-lipoic acid.
Borage plant
Glucosamine
In addition to the supplements listed above, insufficient levels of other vitamins and minerals should be supplemented based on the results of thorough blood tests. For example, several B vitamins can assist in the treatment of many skin issues, while omega-3 fatty acids help to hydrate dry skin and improve various skin imperfections.
Several vitamin A-derived medications have also been shown to be useful in treating acne and healing sun damage, as well as lowering the risk of skin cancer. Retin A (vitamin A acid) is the only preparation that has been shown to effectively recover existing UV damage.
This paves the way for us to preserve our skin for many years to come, especially when coupled with an antioxidant-rich diet and efforts to limit exposure to free radicals through limiting sun exposure, cigarette smoking, and air pollution.
Taken from Dr. Udi Barr and Yaffa Shir-Raz’s The Complete Israeli Guide to Dietary Supplements, published by Keter Publishing/
