"Cosmeceuticals" a mixture between cosmetics and therapeutic advantages, these topical treatments claim to erase wrinkles and fine lines that will reveal younger looking skin. But, do they really work?
There are various products on the market that claim to give consumers youthful looking skin such as creams or peels. These products contain different ingredients that are supposed to diminish the affects of aging, and from the research gathered it seems like they work to a certain extent.
Peels, which contain Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA's) are used to improve the look of overall skin-tone. The acids stimulate the cell turnover rate so that the cells are shedding more frequently. This will result in a more even complexion due to the constant removal of old dead cells in the stratum corneum layer of the epidermis. In older skin the stratum corneum "transit time" could take up to 30 days, but in younger skin it only takes about 20. If the cells are cycling through faster, the skin will appear healthier since new cells are surfacing more quickly. The acids also help to restore hydration to the skin, which will give the appearance of younger skin.
Creams, which now involve peptides, are a huge scientific breakthrough in the anti-aging skin care. When collagen breaks down, because of the aging process, it forms proteins called peptides. These peptides then signal to the fibroblasts to make more collagen, a positive feedback signal. As the skin ages, the signal is less effective and less collagen fibers are synthesized. Researchers have found that when you apply peptides directly to the skin, it tricks the natural ineffectiveness of the signal as the skin ages and signals to the cell to make more collagen.
These products can work to a certain extent, but the process of aging is inevitable. That's why it is important to prevent aging instead of fix it once it is noticeable.
There are various products on the market that claim to give consumers youthful looking skin such as creams or peels. These products contain different ingredients that are supposed to diminish the affects of aging, and from the research gathered it seems like they work to a certain extent.
Peels, which contain Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA's) are used to improve the look of overall skin-tone. The acids stimulate the cell turnover rate so that the cells are shedding more frequently. This will result in a more even complexion due to the constant removal of old dead cells in the stratum corneum layer of the epidermis. In older skin the stratum corneum "transit time" could take up to 30 days, but in younger skin it only takes about 20. If the cells are cycling through faster, the skin will appear healthier since new cells are surfacing more quickly. The acids also help to restore hydration to the skin, which will give the appearance of younger skin.
Creams, which now involve peptides, are a huge scientific breakthrough in the anti-aging skin care. When collagen breaks down, because of the aging process, it forms proteins called peptides. These peptides then signal to the fibroblasts to make more collagen, a positive feedback signal. As the skin ages, the signal is less effective and less collagen fibers are synthesized. Researchers have found that when you apply peptides directly to the skin, it tricks the natural ineffectiveness of the signal as the skin ages and signals to the cell to make more collagen.
These products can work to a certain extent, but the process of aging is inevitable. That's why it is important to prevent aging instead of fix it once it is noticeable.