Beauty Therapy - Assignment Five

Unit TU 19 Physiologi of ageing

AGING PROCESS
The aging process happens during an individuals lifespan. We are all involved in this process
and none can escape it. When one is young, aging is associated with growth, maturation, and
discovery. Many human abilities peak before age 30, while other abilities continue to grow
through life. The great majority of those over age 65 today are healthy, happy and fully
independent. In spite of this, some individuals begin to experience changes that are perceived as
signs of deterioration or decline. We must try to forget the stereotypes and look at older
individuals as unique individuals, each with a particular set of resources and challenges.
Normal Aging
The changes aging individuals experience are not necessarily harmful. With age, hair thins and
turns gray. Skin thins, becomes less elastic, and sags. There is a slowing down of functions
which goes forward throughout adulthood loss of function of bodily organs. In the
gastrointestinal system, for example, production of digestive enzymes diminishes, reducing the
bodys ability to break down and absorb the nutrition from food. Some of these losses may not be
noticeable until later life.
Scientists theorize that aging likely results from a combination of many factors. Genes, lifestyle,
and disease can all affect the rate of aging. Studies have indicated that people age at different
rates and in different ways. Normal aging brings about the following changes:

Eyesight loss of peripheral vision and decreased ability to judge depth. Decreased

clarity of colors (for example, pastels and blues).

Hearing loss of hearing acuity, especially sounds at the higher end of the spectrum.

Also, decreasing ability to distinguish sounds when there is background noise.

Taste decreased taste buds and saliva.

Touch and Smell decreased sensitivity to touch and ability to smell.

Arteries stiffen with age. Additionally, fatty deposits build up in your blood vessels

over time, eventually causing arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

Bladder increased frequency in urination.

Body Fat increases until middle age, stabilizes until later in life, then decreases.

Distribution of fat shifts moving from just beneath the skin to surround deeper organs.

Bones somewhere around age 35, bones lose minerals faster than they are replaced.

Brain loses some of the structures that connect nerve cells, and the function of the cells

themselves is diminished. Senior moments increase.

Heart is a muscle that thickens with age. Maximum pumping rate and the bodys

ability to extract oxygen from the blood both diminish with age.

Kidneys shrink and become less efficient.

Lungs somewhere around age 20, lung tissue begins to lose its elasticity, and rib cage

muscles shrink progressively. Maximum breathing capacity diminishes with each decade of
life.

Metabolism medicines and alcohol are not processed as quickly. Prescription

medication requires adjustment. Reflexes are also slowed while driving, therefore an
individual might want to lengthen the distance between him and the car in front and drive
more cautiously.

Muscles muscle mass decline, especially with lack of exercise.

Skin nails grow more slowly. Skin is more dry and wrinkled. It also heals more slowly.

Sexual Health Women go through menopause, vaginal lubrication decreases and sexual

tissues atrophy. In men, sperm production decreases and the prostate enlarges. Hormone
levels decrease.

The aging process also brings social and emotional change and loss into our lives. Inevitably, as
we age, older relatives die, then some of our friends may grow frail and die, then loss of a spouse
affects many. Physical losses and social losses that can accompany aging may be very difficult
emotionally. Grief and sadness are normal reactions to such situations, and we cannot stamp out
these reactions in ourselves or our older relatives. Just as the physical losses of later life can be
compensated for, so can the social and emotional losses be overcome.
The physical aging process can be influenced in a variety of ways. Excess capacity is built into
the human system. The bulk of the changes that take place over the years can be strongly
affected by exercise levels and other lifestyle characteristics. People who live in areas with
especially long life expectancy have the following characteristics, apart from hereditary or
genetic influences:

Dietary and Nutritional Factors diets tend to be low in animal fats and high in

vegetables and whole grains.

Moderate Consumption of Alcohol some alcohol is consumed, although alcoholism is

uncommon.

Physical Activity Throughout Life

Sexual Activity Continues in Later Years sexually active and free to express

themselves in this way.

Social Involvement respected and valued and remain in community life.

Physical Environment challenging and free from pollutants.

In general, the lessons are clear. Regular physical activity, a balanced diet, social involvement,
moderate or no drinking, and no smoking, can significantly decelerate the aging process.

Aging changes in skin

Skin changes are among the most visible signs of aging. Evidence of increasing age includes
wringkles and sagging skin. Whitening or graying of the hair is another obvious sign of aging.
Your skin does many things. It protects you from the environment, helps control your body
temperature and fluid and electrolyte balance, and contains nerve receptors that allow you to feel
sensations such as touch, pain, and pressure.
Although skin has many layers, it can be generally divided into three main parts:

The outer part (epidermis) contains skin cells, pigment, and proteins.

The middle part (dermis) contains blood vessels, nerves, hair follicles, and oil glands. The
dermis provides nutrients to the epidermis.

The inner layer under the dermis (the subcutaneous layer) contains sweat glands, some
hair follicles, blood vessels, and fat. Each layer also contains connective tissue with
collagen fibers to give support and elastin fibers to provide flexibility and strength.

Skin changes are related to environmental factors, genetic makeup, nutrition, and other factors.
The greatest single factor, though, is sun exposure. This can be seen by comparing areas of your
body that have regular sun exposure with areas that are protected from sunlight.
Natural pigments seem to provide some protection against sun-induced skin damage. Blue-eyed,
fair-skinned people show more aging skin changes than people with darker, more heavily
pigmented skin.
AGING CHANGES
With aging, the outer skin layer (epidermis) thins, even though the number of cell layers remains
unchanged.
The number of pigment-containing cells (melanocytes) decreases, but the remaining melanocytes
increase in size. Aging skin thus appears thinner, more pale, and clear (translucent). Large
pigmented spots (called age spot, liver spots, or lentigos) may appear in sun-exposed areas.

Changes in the connective tissue reduce the skin's strength and elasticity. This is known as
elastosis and is especially pronounced in sun-exposed areas (solar elastosis). Elastosis produces
the leathery, weather-beaten appearance common to farmers, sailors, and others who spend a
large amount of time outdoors.
The blood vessels of the dermis become more fragile. This leads to bruising, bleeding under the
skin (often called senile purpura), cherry angiomas, and similar conditions.
Sebaceous glands produce less oil as you age. Men experience a minimal decrease, usually after
the age of 80. Women gradually produce less oil beginning after menopause. This can make it
harder to keep the skin moist, resulting in dryness and itchiness.
The subcutaneous fat layer thins, reducing its normal insulation and padding. This increases your
risk of skin injury and reduces your ability to maintain body temperature. Because you have less
natural insulation, you can get hypothermia in cold weather.
Some medications are absorbed by the fat layer, and loss of this layer changes the way that these
medications work.
The sweat glands produce less sweat. This makes it harder to keep cool, and you are at increased
risk for becoming overheated or developing heat stroke.
Growths such as skin tags,warts and other blemishes are more common in older people.
EFFECT OF CHANGES
As you age, you are at increased risk for skin injury. Your skin is thinner, more fragile, and the
protective subcutaneous fat layer is lost. In addition, your ability to sense touch, pressure,
vibration, heat and cold may be reduced. Thus, your skin is at higher risk for injury.
Rubbing or pulling on the skin can cause skin tears. Fragile blood vessels are easily broken.
Bruises, flat collections of blood (purpura), and raised collections of blood (hematomas) may
form after even a minor injury.

This is most easily seen on the outside surface of the forearms, but can occur anywhere on the
body. Skin changes and loss of subcutaneous fat, combined with a tendency to be less active, as
well as some nutritional deficiencies and other illnesses contribute to pressure ulcers.
Aging skin repairs itself more slowly than younger skin. Wound healing may be up to 4 times
slower. This contributes to pressure ulcers and infections. diabetes, blood vessel changes,
lowered immunity, and similar factors also affect healing.
COMMON PROBLEMS
Skin disorders are so common among older people that it is often difficult to tell normal changes
from those related to a disorder. More than 90% of all older people have some type of skin
disorder.
Skin disorders can be caused by many conditions, including:

Blood vessel diseases such as Arterioscelorosis

Diabetes

Heart disease

Liver disease

Nutritional deficiencies

Obesity

Reactions to medications

Stress

Other causes of skin changes:

Allergies to plants and other substances

Climate

Clothing

Exposures to industrial and household chemicals

Indoor heating

Sunlight can cause:

Loss of elasticity (elastosis)

Noncancerous skin growths (keratoacanthomas)

Pigment changes such as liver spots

Thickening of the skin

Sun exposure has also been directly linked to skin cancers, including basal cell cancer, squamous
cell carcinoma, and melanoma.
PREVENTION
Because most skin changes are related to sun exposure, prevention is a lifelong process.

Prevent sunburn if at all possible.

Use a good quality sunscreen when outdoors, even in the winter.

Wear protective clothing and hats as necessary.

Good nutrition and adequate fluids are also helpful. dehydration increases the risk of skin injury.
Sometimes minor nutritional deficiencies can cause rashes, skin lesions, and other skin changes,
even if you have no other symptoms.
The Effects of Aging on Skin
Our skin is at the mercy of many forces as we age: sun, harsh weather, and bad habits. But we
can take steps to help our skin stay supple and fresh-looking.
How your skin ages will depend on a variety of factors: your lifestyle, diet, heredity, and other
personal habits. For instance, smoking can produce free radicals, once-healthy oxygen molecules

that are now overactive and unstable. Free radicals damage cells, leading to, among other things,
premature wrinkles.
There are other reasons, too. Primary factors contributing to wrinkled, spotted skin include
normal aging, exposure to the sun (photoaging), and loss of subcutaneous support (fatty tissue
between your skin and muscle). Other factors that contribute to aging of the skin include stress,
gravity, daily facial movement, obesity, and evensleep position.
SKIN CHANGES THAT COME WITH AGE
As we grow older, changes like these naturally occur:

Skin becomes rougher.

Skin develops lesions such as benign tumors.

Skin becomes slack. The loss of the elastic tissue (elastin) in the skin with age causes the
skin to hang loosely.

Skin becomes more transparent. This is caused by thinning of the epidermis (surface
layer of the skin).

Skin becomes more fragile. This is caused by a flattening of the area where the epidermis
and dermis (layer of skin under the epidermis) come together.

Skin becomes more easily bruised. This is due to thinner blood vessel walls .

Changes below the skin also become evident as we age. They include:

Loss of fat below the skin in the cheeks, temples, chin, nose, and eye area may result in
loosening skin, sunken eyes, and a "skeletal" appearance.

Bone loss, mostly around the mouth and chin, may become evident after age 60 and
cause puckering of the skin around the mouth.

Cartilage loss in the nose causes drooping of the nasal tip and accentuation of the bony
structures in the nose.

SUN AND YOUR SKIN

Exposure to sunlight is the single biggest culprit in aging skin.
Over time, the sun's ultraviolet (UV) light damages certain fibers in the skin called elastin. The
breakdown of elastin fibers causes the skin to sag, stretch, and lose its ability to snap back after
streching. The skin also bruises and tears more easily and takes longer to heal. So while sun
damage may not show when you're young, it will later in life.
Nothing can completely undo sun damage, although the skin can sometimes repair itself. So, it's
never too late to begin protecting yourself fromsun exposure and skin cancer You can delay
changes associated with aging by staying out of the sun , covering up, wearing a hat, and making
a habit of using sunscreen.
Other Skin Changes
Gravity, facial movement, and sleep position are the secondary factors that contribute to changes
in the skin. When the skin loses its elasticity, gravity causes drooping of the eyebrows and
eyelids, looseness and fullness under the cheeks and jaw (jowls and "double chin"), and longer
ear lobes.

Skin is the first body part to show the signs of age. Healthy age-related skin changes are
inevitable and include thinning, sagging, wrinkling and the appearance of age spots, broken
blood vessels and areas of dryness. Unhealthy skin changes, such as skin cancer, are also more
common as we age and are usually made worse by exposure to the sun.
Many people would like their skin to look as young as possible. Healthy lifestyle choices and
good skin care can help you to minimise the signs of both healthy and unhealthy ageing.
There is a range of medical and surgical anti-ageing treatments available but these are not
without risk. Make sure you have realistic expectations of the potential benefits and understand

all the potential risks, complications and side effects of any treatment. Before having any
surgical treatment, you should consult with a dermatologist or plastic surgeon.
Signs of ageing skin

Some of the signs of healthy ageing skin include:

Thinning the basal cell layer of the epidermis slows its rate of cell production and thins
the epidermis. The dermis may become thinner. Together, these changes mean skin is
more likely to crepe and wrinkle.

Sagging older skin produces less elastin and collagen, which means it is more likely to
sag and droop. Older skin is particularly vulnerable to the effects of gravity. For example,
jowls along the jaw and bags under the eyes are simply skin that has yielded to gravity.

Wrinkles reduced elastin and collagen and the thinning of skin, mean those high
traffic areas of the face (like the eyes and mouth) are especially prone to lines and
wrinkles.

Age spots the remaining pigment cells (melanocytes) tend to increase in number and
cluster in certain areas, forming whats known as age or liver spots. Areas that have been
exposed to the sun, such as the backs of the hands, are particularly prone to age spots.

Dryness older skin has fewer sweat glands and oil glands. This can make the skin more
prone to conditions related to dryness, such as roughness and itching.

Broken blood vessels blood vessels in older, thinner skin are more likely to break and
bruise. They may also become permanently widened. This is commonly known as broken
vessels

Age-related skin conditions

In addition to the inevitable signs of ageing skin, some skin conditions are also more likely to
develop as we get older. These unhealthy signs of ageing include:

Seborrhoeic keratosis a type of benign skin tumour that looks like a brown wart.

Solar keratoses spots of skin that are inflamed, scaly and dry. Common sites include the
bridge of the nose, cheeks, upper lip and backs of the hands. Skin cancer (squamous cell)
can develop in these areas, so examination by a doctor is recommended.

Bowens disease a type of slow-growing and scaly skin patch thought to be caused by
the sun. It may be a pre-cancerous change.

Skin cancer including basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma.

Reducing the signs of ageing skin

Ways to reduce the signs of ageing include:

Limit sun exposure and use sunscreen sun exposure accelerates ageing of the skin. If
you want proof, compare the skin on your hands with that on your buttocks. Avoid
sunbathing and wear a hat, loose-fitting clothes, sunglasses and SPF30+ broad-spectrum
sunscreen when outdoors.

Dont smoke cigarette smoking promotes skin wrinkling and is thought to accelerate the
damage caused by sun exposure. The action of puckering up for each drag on a cigarette
increases the likelihood of wrinkles around the mouth.

Moisturise regularly dry skin is more likely to show fine lines and wrinkles. Moisturise
regularly if you have dry skin.

Care for skin gently age-related dryness will be further exacerbated by skin irritants
such as perfumed soaps, heavily chlorinated swimming pools and long hot showers. Use
soaps, body washes or shampoos that are neutral and pH-balanced (neither too acidic
nor too alkaline).

Skin Aging Contributing Factors

Premature skin aging is the result of several factors such as intense physical and psychological
stress, alcohol intake, poor nutrition, overeating, environmental pollution, and UV exposure
Intrinsic Factors in Skin Aging

.Intrinsic skin aging is determined primarily by genetic factors, hormonal status and metabolic
reactions, such as oxidative stress. Skin is at risk for similar degenerative effects seen in other
organs, yet due to its visibility, the skin outwardly discloses many aspects of our inner health.
Genetics
Cellular agingis the process by which a cell becomes old and can no longer replicate. Known as
"replicative senescence", this phenomenon can be the result of DNA damage induced by factors
such as UV radiation, toxins, or age-related deterioration. A hallmark of replicative senescence is
the shortening of telomeres, the "caps" at the ends of DNA strands that help ensure chromosomal
stability (Buckingham 2011; Attia 2010; Gao 2010).
Skin cells are some of the most rapidly dividing cells in the body. However, as DNA damage
accumulates with age, the rapid replication of skin cells causes them to be intrinsically
vulnerable to replicative senescence, especially if efforts to protect skin cells from damage are
not taken. (Blagoev 2010; Buckingham 2011; Gilchrest 2009).
Hormones
With aging, there is a decline in the level of sex hormones (estrogen, testosterone,
dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate), and growth hormone (Chahal 2007; Makrantonaki 2010). These
particular hormones have great influence on the skin. Balance is critical in the realm of
hormones, and while escalating sex hormones during puberty increase the incidence of skin
acne, declining hormonal levels with aging accelerate skin deterioration (Makrantonaki 2009).
For women, the change in hormone levels, estrogen in particular, during menopause is
accompanied by significant changes within the skin. (Verdier-Sevrain 2007). Estrogens influence
skin thickness, wrinkling, and moisture (Hall 2004; Phillips 2001; Kanda 2005). Estrogen binds
to receptors on skin cells, activating gene expression that modulates skin cell renewal (Ramos-eSilva 2007; Verdier-Sevrain 2007). With declining estrogen levels, skin cellular renewal becomes
sluggish, resulting in thinning of the epidermal and dermal layers. Capillary blood circulation
velocity decreases significantly (Raine-Fenning 2003) and the ability for the skin to maintain
hydration, strength and elasticity suffers as a result (Verdier-Sevrain, 2007).

Oxidative Stress
As the outermost barrier separating internal tissue from the environment, the skin is regularly
exposed to UV radiation and air pollution. These exposures induce the production of highly
volatile molecules called free radicals, which go on to wreak havoc in the cellular environment
of the skin. Chronic free radical assault leads to the appearance of uneven, blotchy pigmentation,
and subverts the structural framework of the skin, giving rise to wrinkles and sagging skin
(Fisher 2009). Free radicals also arise from internal, metabolic reactions like glycation from
elevated blood sugar,, so simply avoiding exposure to UV light is not adequate for optimal
protection.
Oxidative stress plays a central role in initiating and driving events that cause skin aging at the
cellular level (Masaki 2010). Oxidative stress breaks down protein (collagen), alters cellular
renewal cycles, damages DNA, and promotes the release of pro-inflammatory mediators
(cytokines), which trigger the generation of inflammatory skin diseases. It is also established that
free radicals participate in the pathogenesis of allergic reactions in the skin (Burke 2009; Fisher
2009; Pascucci 2010; Massaki 2010; Rock 2011).
In addition to the skin's antioxidant defense, epidermal immune cells called Langerhans cells
help protect the skin by recognizing antigens (foreign substances) and inducing antibody defense
responses. As observed in aging skin there is a reduced number of immune Langerhans cells,
thereby affecting skin's ability to ward off stressors or infection that may impact its health (Tabor
2009; Ogden 2011). This is critical, because with advancing age, skin immunity declines,
increasing the incidence of infection, malignancies and structural deterioration (skin aging)
(Tabor 2009; Ogden 2011).
Elevated Blood Sugar Levels and Glycation
While external factors such as sun exposure can accelerate extrinsic skin aging, scientific
evidence points to another culprit: glucose-driven intrinsic aging. Glucose is a vital cellular fuel.
However, based on the accelerated rate of aging seen in diabetics, chronic glucose exposure has
long been known to affect how the body ages by a process called glycation (van Boekel 1991).

The same browning reaction that occurs when you cook meat at high heat takes place at a slower
rate to long-lived tissue proteins such as collagen in our bodies (Dyer 1993). When the proteins
in meat are exposed to heat and carbohydrates in the absence of moisture, they cause it to turn
brown in a chemical process called the Maillard reaction. Similarly, in the human body, once
sugars enter the circulation, they attach themselves to the amino groups of tissue proteins such as
collagen to slowly rearrange their youthful structure into the main culprits of damage, called
advanced glycation end products (AGEs). AGE molecules are particularly destructive since they
can undergo extensive cross-linking with other proteins to form strong chemical bridges. As a
result, once healthy collagen fibers lose their elasticity, becoming rigid, more brittle, and prone to
breakage (Pageon 2008). Strong scientific evidence also indicates that glycation reactions are
promoted by oxidative stress and lead to the production of reactive oxygen species in the skin
(Kikuchi 2003).
This assault on the skin's structural support system contributes to the aging of tissues and, when
accelerated by hyperglycemia, to the gradual development of diabetic complications. Not
surprisingly, collagen abnormalities with aging and in diabetes share similar roots and have
widespread consequences for the skin, such as thinning, discoloration, loss of elasticity, and
tendency to rashes and infections.
Laboratory research shows that once formed, AGEs can be self-perpetuatingdirectly inducing
the cross-linking of collagen even in the absence of glucose (Sajithlal 1998). Glycation also
induces fibroblast apoptosis (cell death), which creates a state of cellular senescence that has
been shown to switch fibroblasts from a matrix-producing to a matrix-degrading state (Alikhani
2005). In this

state, the secretion of collagen-degrading enzymes,

called

matrix

metalloproteinases (MMPs), increases and levels of their inhibitors decline (West 1994).
In fact, glycation directly increases the release of MMP-1, which preferentially breaks down
collagen (Pageon 2007). While these assaults on the skin occur internally, external sources of
oxidative stress can also aggravate skin aging. In particular, sun exposure increases levels of
MMP-1 in the skin (Fisher 2002).
Extrinsic Factors in Premature Skin Aging

UV Radiation and "Photoaging"

The intrinsic ageing of the skin is exacerbated by environmental (extrinsic) factors. One of the
most important extrinsic factors in accelerated skin ageing is solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR).
Epidemiological and clinical studies have identified excessive sun exposure as a primary causal
factor in various skin diseases including, premature aging, inflammatory conditions, melanoma
and non-melanoma skin cancers (Chang 2010; Schmitt 2011).
A series of deleterious biochemical reactions occur within the skin when it is exposed to excess
UV radiation; this process is referred to as photoaging.
Chronic sun exposure damages the dermal connective tissue and alters normal skin metabolism.
In addition to depressing immunity, and stimulating oxidative stress and inflammation, UV
radiation increases the production of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPS), enzymes that degrade
collagen (Taihao 2009). The destruction of collagen is a major contributor to the loss of skin
suppleness and structure that occurs with advancing age.
The major targets of UV irradiation in the skin are the surface epidermal layers; this results in the
depletion of antioxidants such as alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) and ascorbic acid (vitamin C),
which decreases the overall antioxidant capacity within the skin (Masaki 2010). Secondarily to
the depletion of vital antioxidant molecules in the epidermis, intrinsic antioxidant defense
systems begin to fail; these include superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione-Stransferase (Kregel 2007).
UV wavelengths and their effects on the skin
UV-A radiation (long wave) accounts for a large percentage of total UVR (9095%) and
penetrates deeper into the epidermis and dermis of the skin. UV-A radiation induces oxidative
stress that stimulates post-UV inflammation and hyperpigmentation (melanin production).
Ironically, it is oxidative stress that creates the "tanned" skin so often mistakenly associated with
health and vitality. A suntan is evidence of skin damage, and represents the skin's attempt to
protect itself from further damage.

UV-B radiation (mid wave) although it compromises only about 5% of the total UVR, UV-B
radiation is highly damaging to DNA and epidermal keratinocytes. UVB radiation is mainly
responsible for non-melanoma skin cancer.
UV-B radiation also stimulates the synthesis of vitamin D within the skin. However, obtaining
optimal 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels of 50 80 ng/mL through sun exposure only is not ideal, as
the damaging consequences of excess sun exposure will override the beneficial effects of vitamin
D. Therefore, supplementation with about 5,000 8,000 IU of vitamin D daily is a more
favorable method for ensuring optimal vitamin D status for most individuals.

Environmental Toxins
Tobacco use is a major factor that contributes to many chronic diseases and reduced life
expectancy (Kim 2010; Nicita-Mauro 2010). Studies have confirmed that smoking tobacco
damages the skin via multiple mechanisms as well (Serri 2010).
On the molecular level, tobacco smoke produces oxidative stress, impairs circulation, and
triggers DNA damaging reactions, making the skin more vulnerable to disease and aging (Serri
2010; Morita 2009). Visually, "smokers skin" is characterized by increased lines and wrinkles,
uneven tone, dehydration, dull and frail skin. Interestingly, smokers who quit have noted
dramatic improvements in the visual appeal of their skin, and a more youthful skin appearance
has been observed within nine months post-smoking cessation (Serri 2010).
In addition to UV radiation and smoking, pollution is a factor in premature skin aging (Vierktter
2010). Epidemiological studies have correlated pollution levels with poor health status.
Specifically, recent studies relate particle pollution to advanced skin aging. Most notably, skin
hyperpigmentation and sluggish skin cell renewal has been observed in both human and animal
studies (Pedata 2011; Vierktter 2010). Individuals concerned with maintaining youthful skin as

they age should also review Life Extension's protocol for Metabolic Detoxification, as the
information therein can be utilized to help dampen the consequences of environmental toxin
exposure.
Wrinkles
Over time, the sun's ultraviolet (UV) light damages the fibers in the skin called elastin. The
breakdown of these fibers causes the skin to lose its ability to snap back after stretching. As a
result, wrinkles form. Gravity also is at work, pulling at the skin and causing it to sag, most
noticeably on the face, neck, and upper arms.
Cigarette smoking also contributes to wrinkles. People who smoke tend to have more wrinkles
than nonsmokers of the same age, complexion, and history of sun exposure. The reason for this
difference is not clear. It may be because smoking also plays a role in damaging elastin. Facial
wrinkling increases with the amount of cigarettes and number of years a person has smoked.
Many products currently on the market claim to "revitalize aging skin." According to the
American Academy of Dermatology, over-the-counter "wrinkle" creams and lotions may soothe
dry skin, but they do little or nothing to reverse wrinkles. At this time, the only products that
have been studied for safety and effectiveness and approved by the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA) to treat signs of sun-damaged or aging skin are tretinoin cream and carbon
dioxide (CO2) and erbium (Er:YAG) lasers.
Tretinoin cream (Renova), a vitamin A derivative available by prescription only, is approved for
reducing the appearance of fine wrinkles, mottled darkened spots, and roughness in people
whose skin doesn't improve with regular skin care and use of sun protection. However, it doesn't
eliminate wrinkles, repair sun-damaged skin, or restore skin to its healthier, younger structure. It
hasn't been studied in people 50 and older or in people with moderately or darkly pigmented
skin.
The CO2 and Er:YAG lasers are approved to treat wrinkles. The doctor uses the laser to remove
skin one layer at a time. Laser therapy is performed underanesthesia in an outpatient surgical
setting.

The FDA currently is studying the safety of alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs), which are widely
promoted to reduce wrinkles, spots, and other signs of aging, sun-damaged skin. Some studies
suggest that they may work, but there is concern about adverse reactions and long-term effects of
their use. Because people who use AHA products have greater sensitivity to the sun, the FDA
advises consumers to protect themselves from sun exposure by using sunscreen, wearing a hat, or
avoiding mid-day sun. If you are interested in treatment for wrinkles, you should discuss
treatment options with a dermatologist.

One treatment for therapy aging process

GALVANIC FACIAL TREATMENT
Iontophoresis therapy is the therapeutic introduction of ions of soluble salts into tissues by means
of electric current; a form of electro-osmosis; also, a process of increasing the penetration of
drugs into surface tissues by the application of electric current.
Iontophoresis is also used for different medical conditions. These include:

"sweat test" to diagnose cystic fibrosis.

to treat hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) that does not respond to prescription

antiperspirant treatment

in physical therapy, to deliver drugs locally to musculoskeletal disorders such as tennis

elbow

to deliver drugs to treat localized skin diseases such as eczema and psoriasis.

Precautions
Pregnant women, people with large metal implants, and people with implanted pacemakers

should not have iontophoresis. The electric current used on the skin is very low and is not
harmful.
Preparation

No special preparation is needed before iontophoresis.

Aftercare:

After removing the electrodes and washing the skin, no special aftercare is needed.

Complications:

No complications are expected with this procedure.

Frequently Asked Questions

If youve been using countless skin products to zap away wrinkles, brighten up the skin or even
cleanse and exfoliate, you could be wasting your time. The skin blocks the absorption of almost
all products applied directly on top of the pores, which is why even the most expensive skin care
products will not make any difference to the texture or tone of your skin.
Galvanic facial treatments offer a solution for making those skincare products work; the machine
promotes the absorption of products used on the skin, driving them deeper into the pores so that
they can work. It also helps to tighten up the skin, helping to reduce the appearance of fine lines
and wrinkles for good.
How Galvanic Facial Therapy Works
The galvanic hand piece is used to direct a galvanic current of ions directly into the skin. These
positive and negative ions act like a magnet on top of the skins surface, and will slowly push the
product lying on the skins surface down into the deeper layers. The skin can then absorb the

treatment within seconds, and the electric energy also firms up, tones and tightens the skin during
the session. Most sessions last for just 10-15 minutes, but are combined with a full facial
treatment that can last up to an hour.
Micro current energy has been documented and studied for over a century, and galvanic
treatments use very low-frequency impulses so there is no risk of burning or electric shock. The
electricity triggers cellular turnover so that any damaged tissues can repair and heal quickly, and
even though the procedure does not injure the tissues, it does trick the cells so that they begin to
undergo the healing process.Galvanic facial treatments have a proven track record in Europe, and
have been used for decades as an anti-aging solution.

The galvanic gel applied to the skin directly before the treatment is also effective for toning up
and brightening up the skin, and can help to calm down inflammed skin while stimulating the
tissue as a gentle massage. The micromassage treatments stimulate deep under the skins surface,
so the treated area will not be aggravated in any way.