As an aesthetic practitioner, skin care is my expertise, so it is not unusual that I am asked this question: If I take care of my skin and have a good skin care regimen, am I doing enough for my skin to help it age well?
Showing posts with label Anti-Aging Diet. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anti-Aging Diet. Show all posts
Is Skincare Enough? The Truth About Skin Care and Aging
The amount of skin care products available on the market is staggering, with existing brands releasing new ranges all the time, and new brands coming on to the market everyday. They are marketed for acne-prone, mature age, pigmented, oily, sensitive, combination skin, in too many varieties to count, each marketing a special ingredient or function. I know that when my wife visits the cosmetics and skin care counters, I'd better get a comfortable place to sit because it will be a long wait as she goes through her many options!
As an aesthetic practitioner, skin care is my expertise, so it is not unusual that I am asked this question: If I take care of my skin and have a good skin care regimen, am I doing enough for my skin to help it age well?
As an aesthetic practitioner, skin care is my expertise, so it is not unusual that I am asked this question: If I take care of my skin and have a good skin care regimen, am I doing enough for my skin to help it age well?
Eating Well To Look Well
True or false : your diet affects the aging of your skin. Answer: True!
An article from Prime Journal by Howard A. Epstein, PhD, titled "The Effect of Diet and Nutrition on the Skin" showed that diet greatly affected the ability of the body to defend itself from oxidative stress.
Our skin naturally produces compounds that protect us from free radical damage. Oxidative stress UV rays, however, break down the antioxidant compounds, so the body has to produce more to replace them. Wrinkling, acne, hyperpigmentation, dry skin and poor wound healing are just some of the long-term effects from oxidative stress. The body needs many compounds such as vitamin C, retinol, and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron and zinc to fight against skin damage and aging.
A study was conducted among individuals from various ethnic groups, from different countries, to examine if there was any relationship between their diet and the condition of their skin. The study showed that a diet high in green leafy vegetables, fruits, and legumes gave great protection against oxidative skin damage. Plant foods often possess anti-inflammatory properties, and have been shown to boost the immune system as well as replenish antioxidants. Foods such as tea, apples, onions, garlic and eggplant were found to be associated with reduced wrinkle formation, whereas a diet high in dairy products, fat, meats and sugar was found to be associated with wrinkle development.
Olive oil, legumes, fish, vegetables and cereal foods were some of the foods eaten by the group with the best skin aging profile.
Mice studies have also shown that a diet high in green tea could inhibit cell damage from UVB radiation, preventing the formation of cancerous skin cells and regulating cell function at the DNA level.
Our choice of foods have been shown to impact the health of the body as a whole, but it is less well understood that skin aging and damage can be affected as well. Rather than expensive lotions and treatments, the secret to a youthful look may well be no further than what's on your plate!
-- CosMed, MD
Dr. Liow Tiong Sin is an aesthetic practitioner who practices in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Malaysia. He has more than 12 years of expertise with non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and conducts training courses for other doctors from all around Asia. To connect with Dr. Liow, Like Cosmedmd's Facebook page. or email.
An article from Prime Journal by Howard A. Epstein, PhD, titled "The Effect of Diet and Nutrition on the Skin" showed that diet greatly affected the ability of the body to defend itself from oxidative stress.
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| An apple a day keeps the wrinkles at bay ... |
Our skin naturally produces compounds that protect us from free radical damage. Oxidative stress UV rays, however, break down the antioxidant compounds, so the body has to produce more to replace them. Wrinkling, acne, hyperpigmentation, dry skin and poor wound healing are just some of the long-term effects from oxidative stress. The body needs many compounds such as vitamin C, retinol, and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron and zinc to fight against skin damage and aging.
A study was conducted among individuals from various ethnic groups, from different countries, to examine if there was any relationship between their diet and the condition of their skin. The study showed that a diet high in green leafy vegetables, fruits, and legumes gave great protection against oxidative skin damage. Plant foods often possess anti-inflammatory properties, and have been shown to boost the immune system as well as replenish antioxidants. Foods such as tea, apples, onions, garlic and eggplant were found to be associated with reduced wrinkle formation, whereas a diet high in dairy products, fat, meats and sugar was found to be associated with wrinkle development.
Olive oil, legumes, fish, vegetables and cereal foods were some of the foods eaten by the group with the best skin aging profile.
Mice studies have also shown that a diet high in green tea could inhibit cell damage from UVB radiation, preventing the formation of cancerous skin cells and regulating cell function at the DNA level.
Our choice of foods have been shown to impact the health of the body as a whole, but it is less well understood that skin aging and damage can be affected as well. Rather than expensive lotions and treatments, the secret to a youthful look may well be no further than what's on your plate!
-- CosMed, MD
Dr. Liow Tiong Sin is an aesthetic practitioner who practices in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Malaysia. He has more than 12 years of expertise with non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and conducts training courses for other doctors from all around Asia. To connect with Dr. Liow, Like Cosmedmd's Facebook page. or email.
Collagen Supplements - Do They Really Work? What Does?
I've had many patients come to me and say they take excellent care of their skin,with a regimen that includes regular beautician visits, expensive skincare and that latest must-have - collagen supplements. Usually available in a drink, and costing up to USD100 per bottle, these supplements are not cheap, but come with a lot of promises for prolonged beauty and general health.
The body naturally produces the collagen that it needs, but this production is gradually disrupted as part of the natural aging process. Women produce less collagen than men, and this collagen is lost at a rate of about 1% per year. This means that a woman has naturally lost almost half of the collagen from her skin by the age of 50.
Collagen is also greatly affected by environmental stresses such as sun exposure, nutrition, skin damage, and exposure to toxins such as pollutants, cigarette smoke and recreational drugs. With decreased collagen, the skin loses its natural elasticity and firmness, and fine lines, wrinkles and sagging appear.
Poor collagen levels also affect the bones, and this picture (right) shows how collagen loss affects facial shape in extreme age degeneration.
Collagen supplements claim to offer a range of benefits, including
So many companies have jumped on the collagen bandwagon that it is very hard for consumers to realise that there is actually no scientific proof that collagen supplements have any effects on skin health and appearance at all. There is no guarantee that drinking collagen drinks would be any more effective than any source of protein such as meat, cheese, eggs or beans at restoring the collagen in your skin.
So if you can't get collagen through a drink, what about collagen in skin care products? Most collagen molecules applied to the skin in lotion, cream or gel forms are far too large to be absorbed into the dermis - they merely lie on the surface and get washed or rubbed off. There are some companies that are selling micronized collagen which are meant to be small enough to be absorbed into the skin, but it is unlikely these micro molecules would be in any form useable by skin cells. It is also highly likely that any collagen that actually manages to penetrate the skin would be challenged by the body's immune system as a foreign body. They would either cause an allergic reaction or simply be destroyed by the white blood cells before they manage to be of any benefit to the skin whatsoever.
Reduce collagen degradation
To ensure sufficient collagen in the skin, first prevent loss of the collagen that you already have. If you are not already on a proper sun care regimen, that should be your first priority. Studies have shown that sun protection is one of the most important ways in which you can combat aging. Cigarette smoke, like sun exposure, has also been shown to greatly degenerate collagen, and there is also evidence that improper and insufficient sleep has a negative effect on skin health. Read more about tips for choosing a good sunscreen in this previous post.
A nutritious diet
Eating the right foods and getting good sources of antioxidants from fruits and vegetables is very important for collagen production. Brightly coloured produce such as tomatoes, grapefruit and watermelon contain the powerful antioxidant lycopene, which helps prevent collagen degeneration. Fruits such as oranges, strawberries and red peppers also contain Vitamin C, something that is key for the optimum condition of the skin. Vegetables such as broccoli, leafy greens and cauliflower provide our skin with glucosinolates, which fight the free radicals that attack our collagen. Also key to skin health is the omega-3 fatty acid known as eicosapentanoic acid or EPA, which has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects to help protect and heal the skin. Omega-3 is readily available from food sources such as oily fish and spirulina. Avoid starchy foods and sugary substances; this helps
reduce inflammation which interferes with the body's natural collagen production processes.
Proper skin care
The right skin care helps regulate the optimum skin condition so that it is protected from extreme stresses. What works? Regular exfoliation with a gentle exfoliator scrub, or with alphahydroxy acids (AHAs) can help to 'exercise' the skin, and ensure healthy cell renewal. Skin care products that have been proven to help combat aging include products that have antioxidant properties, examples of which include green tea extracts, coffeeberry and DHEA. Try products with retinol, a Vitamin A derivative, sometimes known as Retin-A, which works to both stop collagen degradation from the effects of UV exposure while boosting collagen production.
Collagen Stimulating Dermal Fillers
Hyaluronic acid, a natural water-binding component of the skin, helps to stimulate collagen production by surrounding fibroblasts - the skin cells that produce collagen - with plenty of water. As the skin ages, this important component of the skin also suffers a decline.
Researchers at the University of Michigan medical school found that Restylane injections (Restylane's key component is hyaluronic acid) not only stimulated the fibroblasts around them to increase collagen output, but also seemed to be protective of the existing collagen in the area as well. The two top hyaluronic acid dermal filler brands are Restylane and Juvederm, and they work by immediately filling the area to plump out lines and wrinkles. The effects of the filler are enhanced by the collagen stimulation, so patients tend to need repeat sessions less frequently.
Just like hyaluronic acid, poly-L-lactic acid or PLLA, has been shown to stimulate collagen growth. PLLA is a major component in Sculptra dermal fillers, which are injected deep into the dermal layer in a three-session treatment program which lasts up to two years. Sculptra has been proven to correct both collagen loss and fat atrophy, and is also FDA approved for AIDS patients who have severe cheek lipoatrophy (fat loss).
Radiesse, which has calcium hydroxylapatite as its collagen stimulating active ingredient, is another dermal filler that works very effectively in restoring volume in patients with deep lines or sagging skin. The effects of the collagen stimulation allows the volumising effect of Radiesse to last for about 12 months or more.
Laser and RF collagen stimulation
Collagen production slows with the aging process, but where the skin is injured, collagen production is increased as part of the skin healing process. Aesthetic equipment such as carbon dioxide and Fraxel lasers, and radiofrequency modalities such as Thermage and Ultherapy all work by subjecting the skin to controlled damage, so that collagen renewal can be stimulated. All of these methods work very well to tighten the skin and improve its appearance, although lasers are designed to stimulate regrowth on the surface and epidermal (top layer) areas, and radiofrequency skin tightening works in the deeper dermal areas for greater wrinkle and line rejuvenation.
- Cosmetic Medicine, MD
Dr. Liow Tiong Sin is an aesthetic practitioner who practices in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Malaysia. He has more than 12 years of expertise with non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and conducts training courses for other doctors from all around Asia. To connect with Dr. Liow, Like Cosmedmd's Facebook page. medical centre website or drop him an email at cosmedmd@gmail.com
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| Old or young? The difference is collagen |
Collagen - is it really so important?
Collagen is a natural protein component of the skin that acts like a scaffold and the main building block for cells, tissues and organs. About a third of the protein content in your body is made up of collagen, which is found in the bones, muscles, and tissues of the organs. Collagen, keratin and elastin give the skin its strength, elasticity and structure.The body naturally produces the collagen that it needs, but this production is gradually disrupted as part of the natural aging process. Women produce less collagen than men, and this collagen is lost at a rate of about 1% per year. This means that a woman has naturally lost almost half of the collagen from her skin by the age of 50.
Collagen is also greatly affected by environmental stresses such as sun exposure, nutrition, skin damage, and exposure to toxins such as pollutants, cigarette smoke and recreational drugs. With decreased collagen, the skin loses its natural elasticity and firmness, and fine lines, wrinkles and sagging appear.
Poor collagen levels also affect the bones, and this picture (right) shows how collagen loss affects facial shape in extreme age degeneration.
Here's to your youth - anti-aging drinks claim to deliver beauty in a bottle, but do they really work?
- reducing wrinkles
- reversing age of skin
- tighter skin
- plumps up skin
- improves skin elasticity
So many companies have jumped on the collagen bandwagon that it is very hard for consumers to realise that there is actually no scientific proof that collagen supplements have any effects on skin health and appearance at all. There is no guarantee that drinking collagen drinks would be any more effective than any source of protein such as meat, cheese, eggs or beans at restoring the collagen in your skin.
So if you can't get collagen through a drink, what about collagen in skin care products? Most collagen molecules applied to the skin in lotion, cream or gel forms are far too large to be absorbed into the dermis - they merely lie on the surface and get washed or rubbed off. There are some companies that are selling micronized collagen which are meant to be small enough to be absorbed into the skin, but it is unlikely these micro molecules would be in any form useable by skin cells. It is also highly likely that any collagen that actually manages to penetrate the skin would be challenged by the body's immune system as a foreign body. They would either cause an allergic reaction or simply be destroyed by the white blood cells before they manage to be of any benefit to the skin whatsoever.
What really works?
The abundance of collagen supplements on the market tells us that many people are genuinely concerned about their skin health. So, based on the best dermatological and anti-aging expert advice, what can be done to ensure we show up at our 20-year school reunions with our best faces forward?Reduce collagen degradation
To ensure sufficient collagen in the skin, first prevent loss of the collagen that you already have. If you are not already on a proper sun care regimen, that should be your first priority. Studies have shown that sun protection is one of the most important ways in which you can combat aging. Cigarette smoke, like sun exposure, has also been shown to greatly degenerate collagen, and there is also evidence that improper and insufficient sleep has a negative effect on skin health. Read more about tips for choosing a good sunscreen in this previous post.
A nutritious diet
Eating the right foods and getting good sources of antioxidants from fruits and vegetables is very important for collagen production. Brightly coloured produce such as tomatoes, grapefruit and watermelon contain the powerful antioxidant lycopene, which helps prevent collagen degeneration. Fruits such as oranges, strawberries and red peppers also contain Vitamin C, something that is key for the optimum condition of the skin. Vegetables such as broccoli, leafy greens and cauliflower provide our skin with glucosinolates, which fight the free radicals that attack our collagen. Also key to skin health is the omega-3 fatty acid known as eicosapentanoic acid or EPA, which has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects to help protect and heal the skin. Omega-3 is readily available from food sources such as oily fish and spirulina. Avoid starchy foods and sugary substances; this helps
reduce inflammation which interferes with the body's natural collagen production processes.
Proper skin care
The right skin care helps regulate the optimum skin condition so that it is protected from extreme stresses. What works? Regular exfoliation with a gentle exfoliator scrub, or with alphahydroxy acids (AHAs) can help to 'exercise' the skin, and ensure healthy cell renewal. Skin care products that have been proven to help combat aging include products that have antioxidant properties, examples of which include green tea extracts, coffeeberry and DHEA. Try products with retinol, a Vitamin A derivative, sometimes known as Retin-A, which works to both stop collagen degradation from the effects of UV exposure while boosting collagen production.
Collagen Stimulating Dermal Fillers
Hyaluronic acid, a natural water-binding component of the skin, helps to stimulate collagen production by surrounding fibroblasts - the skin cells that produce collagen - with plenty of water. As the skin ages, this important component of the skin also suffers a decline.
Researchers at the University of Michigan medical school found that Restylane injections (Restylane's key component is hyaluronic acid) not only stimulated the fibroblasts around them to increase collagen output, but also seemed to be protective of the existing collagen in the area as well. The two top hyaluronic acid dermal filler brands are Restylane and Juvederm, and they work by immediately filling the area to plump out lines and wrinkles. The effects of the filler are enhanced by the collagen stimulation, so patients tend to need repeat sessions less frequently.
Just like hyaluronic acid, poly-L-lactic acid or PLLA, has been shown to stimulate collagen growth. PLLA is a major component in Sculptra dermal fillers, which are injected deep into the dermal layer in a three-session treatment program which lasts up to two years. Sculptra has been proven to correct both collagen loss and fat atrophy, and is also FDA approved for AIDS patients who have severe cheek lipoatrophy (fat loss).
Radiesse, which has calcium hydroxylapatite as its collagen stimulating active ingredient, is another dermal filler that works very effectively in restoring volume in patients with deep lines or sagging skin. The effects of the collagen stimulation allows the volumising effect of Radiesse to last for about 12 months or more.
Laser and RF collagen stimulation
Collagen production slows with the aging process, but where the skin is injured, collagen production is increased as part of the skin healing process. Aesthetic equipment such as carbon dioxide and Fraxel lasers, and radiofrequency modalities such as Thermage and Ultherapy all work by subjecting the skin to controlled damage, so that collagen renewal can be stimulated. All of these methods work very well to tighten the skin and improve its appearance, although lasers are designed to stimulate regrowth on the surface and epidermal (top layer) areas, and radiofrequency skin tightening works in the deeper dermal areas for greater wrinkle and line rejuvenation.
- Cosmetic Medicine, MD
Dr. Liow Tiong Sin is an aesthetic practitioner who practices in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Malaysia. He has more than 12 years of expertise with non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and conducts training courses for other doctors from all around Asia. To connect with Dr. Liow, Like Cosmedmd's Facebook page. medical centre website or drop him an email at cosmedmd@gmail.com
Sugar Makes You Fat, Sick and Also OLD
Study shows people with high blood glucose levels look older
We are no longer strangers to the effects of sugary treats and drinks on our waistlines and health, but scientists have now discovered that high sugar diets are causing our skin to rapidly age as well.
As reported in the UK newspaper The Telegraph, Dr David Gunn and his team discovered that the higher a person's blood sugar, the older their perceived age. Their study, conducted on over 600 50 to 70 year olds, found that each 1 mmol/litre increase in blood glucose levels increases perceived facial age by 5 months, and on average, a diabetic looked up to 2 years older than a person of similar age and lifestyle but with low blood sugar levels.
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| Sugar - good on the lips but not so good once consumed |
So how exactly does the sweet stuff make you look older? The answer is in a process called glycation. The sugar in your blood stream binds to proteins in your skin such as collagen and elastin, producing molecules that are known as advanced glycation end-products, or AGEs for short. AGEs cause collagen to become brittle and dry, causing wrinkling and sagging.
The effects are most pronounced as the skin ages, causing collagen and elastin production to naturally decrease after the age of 35.
Dermatologists such as Fredric Brandt, MD, the creator of the highly successful Dr. Brandt range of skincare products, and Dr Aamer Khan, medical director of the famous London Harley Street Skin Clinic agree that a proper anti-aging regime should include the avoidance of high glucose foods for true effectiveness. Dr Khan was quoted in a recent interview, saying there was little point in application of expensive skin creams as a diet high in sugar would sabotage the growth of strong, healthy skin cells.
Unfortunately, avoiding high glucose intake is not as easy as it sounds. Sugary substances and high-sugar foods such as candy and chocolate, and sugary soft drinks and juices are not the only foods that need to be avoided. High glycaemic index (GI) foods such as cakes, biscuits and white bread are also very easily converted by the body into simple sugars, and most processed foods including sauces and salty snacks often have sugar listed in their ingredients. Switch to low GI foods such as brown rice, multi-grain bread and non-wheat grains such as quinoa instead. The aim should be to ensure sugary substances makes up less than 10 percent of the total dietary intake. Regular consumption of green tea is also known to boost collagen formation while interfering with the glycation process.
The good news is that those who have tried it have discovered benefits such as smoother, younger-looking skin, within the first few days of changing their dietary habits. Some claim that this simple change has made them look up to 20 years younger, and with the added health benefits of a low sugar diet for the heart and body, you might even feel a lot younger too.
- Cosmetic Medicine, MD
Dr. Liow Tiong Sin is an aesthetic practitioner who practices in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Malaysia. He has more than 12 years of expertise with non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and conducts training courses for other doctors from all around Asia. To connect with Dr. Liow, Like Cosmedmd's Facebook page. medical centre website or email.
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