Beauty And The Blog

Well, I don’t like it. Do you? I thought not. Unfortunately wrinkles are a natural part of the aging process. And many things contribute to it. Lifestyle, the habits you have, or don’t have are a factor. Family genetics are another.

So what goes on in the skin as we age that causes those wrinkles to appear? Remember those fibroblasts I mentioned a couple times in other posts? Those factories of the skin that produce collagen, elastin and GAG’s (glycosaminoglycans, such a BIG word). These fibroblasts start slowing production over time. This is because of the natural aging process and from outside influences. The loss of collagen, elastin and GAG’s cause the skin to wrinkle and fold in on itself. Yuck.

Collagen fibers provide the skin with structure and strength. Elastin provides stretch and the ability of the skin to retain its shape. Both of these together create the underlying framework of a smooth and line free complexion. GAG’s are responsible for hydration of the skin. All three of these are directly related to what is going on in the fibroblast.

As we age damage occurs to our DNA and we lose some of the ability, or organic information, necessary to the fibroblast for recreating perfect collagen and elastin, as well as sufficient hydration.

Now I am really trying not to get too technical here because that is so not fun to read, am I right?

Okay, back to it, so if the DNA is no longer providing the full amount of organic information to the fibroblast we get incomplete protein chains in our collagen and elastin. Imagine it like this, what happens when a bridge loses one of its supporting columns? It sags, right? So if we consider the collagen and elastin the support of our skin it makes sense that damaged support will cause a weak spot, a sag, in essence, a wrinkle.

Now add to that loss of hydration. Hydration from the GAG’s help to provide the plump look of healthy young skin. You can combat this somewhat by using a good moisturizer daily. Of course that is a temporary fix. But it helps! But without proper internal hydration the skin becomes taut and can begin to have a weathered look, and that would be fine lines.

So, wrinkles and fine lines, both caused by the body no longer being able to produce the needed ingredients to maintain the smooth skin we were born with. It is sad, isn’t it?

We also have the effect of genetics. I talked about that in an earlier post as well, “Is That Your Ancestor in the Mirror”. An actual genetic marker for aging has been discovered and proven to be why some people age more quickly than others. This genetic marker is called ‘arNOX’. And here is some information for you on that.

FORBESLIFE

PROVO, Utah , March 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Additional research on a newly identified internal free radical generator, age-related NOX (arNOX), by scientists working with Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: NUS) links the enzyme to age-related skin damage, such as decreased elasticity and discoloration. The research was presented at the 9th Scientific Conference of the Asian Societies of Cosmetic Scientists (ASCS), March 2-4 , in Yokohama, Japan .

“We know that arNOX, which is an internal source of aging, generates damaging superoxide free radicals at a rate that accelerates as we age,” said Joe Chang, chief scientific officer at Nu Skin. “This latest research correlates arNOX activity with an increase in cross links in the skin, leading us to the conclusion that arNOX is indeed a contributor to the breakdown of collagen and elastin, which contributes to the appearance of lines and wrinkles and other signs of aging skin.”

“New understanding of skin biology and the internal contributors to skin damage and aging are leading to novel technologies for cosmeceutical products,” said Ashok Pahwa, chief marketing officer at Nu Skin. “Nu Skin invests significant resources in research and development to be able to market exclusive anti-aging products that demonstrate effective results for our consumers who want to look as young as they feel.”
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The study measured arNOX activity and autofluorescence in punch biopsies of dermis and epidermis and compared that to the age of the sample subject. arNOX activity increased as the age of the subjects increased and correlated well with the autofluorescence of the skin. Autofluoresence is a way of measuring cross-linked molecules in collagen and elastin, two important components of the skin’s extracellular matrix that give structure and elasticity to the skin. When these proteins are damaged, they cross-link and become rigid, contributing to the appearance of lines and wrinkles and discoloration. Cross-links that occur between collagen and elastin can be created by a number of sources, including from superoxide free radicals. Previous studies (Kern, 2008(i); Morre 2003(ii)) show superoxide free radicals are generated by arNOX.

Authors of the study are Dale Kern, senior scientist for Nu Skin; Zoe Diana Draelos, M.D., primary investigator with Dermatology Consulting Services; Dorothy Morre, Ph.D., professor of foods and nutrition, Purdue University; and D. James Morre, Ph.D., Dow distinguished professor of medicinal chemistry, Purdue University. Nu Skin has funded various research projects by the Morres since 1999.

About arNOX

The arNOX enzyme is one in a class of newly-identified ECTO-NOX (external NADH oxidase or ENOX) proteins that are located on external cell membranes. ECTO-NOX proteins become increasingly active to generate additional metabolic energy as cell mitochondria age and produce less energy. arNOX has been identified in all fluids and cells tested, including serum and saliva, as well as the dermis and epidermis. Its unique property is that it generates superoxide at the cell surface that is capable of damaging adjacent cells, lipoproteins, and other structural components of the skin’s extracellular matrix, such as collagen and elastin.

So, was that technical enough for ya? Was for me. Whew! Glad I didn’t have to write that! But that is the latest info available on the aging of the skin, and why some of us look older sooner than others.

Now when you put the loss of perfectly produced collagen, elastin and hydration toegether, add to it arNOX, what do you think we have? WRINKLES!

I’m pretty sure you already know what the outside influences are that affect skin aging. But I will address that soon in another post, just in case you don’t know… Because that, my dears, is where you do have some control over aging. Another area where you have some control is the type and quality of the ingredients in your skin care. And I have posted on that in Wrinkle Reducing Ingredients.