Skincare in your 40s, 50s, 60s and beyond: it’s time to reverse the clock, but, how?
Aging is a complex physiological process characterized by progressive degradation, loss of function, and reduced repair capacity of an animal’s tissues and organ systems. A better understanding of these mechanisms may help extend the average lifespan and healthier life expectancy (years spent free from age-related illness). Research on aging is intense, but it’s important to understand that it will take decades before the knowledge scientists acquire makes it practical application, if ever. Why? Each aging mechanism is complicated in its own way, and the complexities and difficulties are only found when we try to use them on living creatures. For example, a microRNA may influence a gene related to aging but is likely to influence ten more genes essential to good health. Interfere with one, mess with the others. This is why so many experimental therapies go nowhere once double-blind testing is done.
What happened to the skin in those decades since it was baby-soft? Life happened.
The skin has experienced aging caused by intrinsic and exogenous factors.
The external causes? Here.
(It’s possible to differentiate endogenous aging from photoaging. Look at your white tummy! No age spots, few wrinkles, if any, elastic skin.)
The endogenous causes:
We respire and produce ROS* (reactive oxygen species)
Another mechanism: changes in microRNA
MicroRNA (miRNA) are small, single-stranded, non-coding RNA molecules containing 21 to 23 nucleotides. Found in plants, animals, and some viruses, miRNAs are involved in RNA silencing and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. MicroRNA is an evolutionarily ancient component of gene regulation and can’t be ignored. Many of the components and functions of miRNA-targeted aging pathways are also conserved in mammals; what happens to the fruitfly seems to apply to humans.
How does it work? miRNAs base-pair with complementary sequences in mRNA molecules, then silence those mRNA molecules by one or more of the following processes: cleavage of the mRNA strand into two pieces, destabilization of the mRNA by shortening its poly(A) tail, and/or reducing translation of the mRNA into proteins.
Several miRNAs have been shown to directly influence lifespan through well-described aging pathways, representing adaptive mechanisms that help maintain homeostasis in response to molecular damage, changes in nutrient availability, and other forms of physiologic stress.
How does aging affect the skin and scalp?
Caused by endogenous or environmental factors, aging will show in our bodies. It starts as soon as we are born (or even earlier), but it will take decades to notice. On the skin and scalp, we can see an increase in fragility, hair graying of hair, lentigines (a.k.a. sun/liver spots), and wrinkles.
The physiological effects? There will be changes in desquamation; wound healing will slow down, barrier and immune functions will weaken, and strength and resiliency decrease. We will produce less sweat and sebum; the skin will not be as good at producing energy or insulating us from temperature changes, and sensory function will decrease.
I know, it’s not like we were aware, in the 1950s or 1960s, that tanning was a bad idea. It looked like all the cool people were tanned all the time! And now we have to confront the effects. After a thousand-plus blog posts, it’s time to apply everything we learned!
Reversing skin aging
The first rule: give your skin a chance to repair itself. If you have access to Skin Actives products, help your skin with the topical actives that Skin Actives can provide. We know the mechanism of action of some of those actives, like apocynin, but we don’t have to wait until scientists elucidate the mechanisms. Use what works, and don’t use what doesn’t work. Ignore advertising and look at the ingredient lists. The safe bets are epidermal growth factor, retinoids, sunblock, nutrition, keratinocyte growth factor, essential fatty acids, and more. There is so much you can do for your skin! Do it, and you will recover function and looks; they go hand in hand.
Don’t fear aging, but protect your skin from those agents that are damaging it. Age with grace, and love who you see in the mirror. It’s still you!
From my book: Turning back the clock, the Skin Actives way