They both lead to extreme premature aging of the skin. They are both avoidable. They are both reversible. Let’s dig in.

Glycation

Sugar can lead to collagen damage and premature wrinkles. Foods high in added sugars or refined carbs can lead to higher levels of blood sugar, which in turn can accelerate wrinkling and aging of the skin. When your blood sugars rise a process known as  Glycation happens.

Glycation is the cross linking of collagen fibres, and results in the production of AGEs (Advanced Glycation End products). Sugar molecules like fructose or glucose combine with protein or fat in the bloodstream. These compounds are ‘sticky’. The once bouncy and free collagen fibres begin to get bound up and become sticky and brittle.  The collagen fibres begin to sag, they can’t bounce back and become tangled. The end result is a loss of skin elasticity, with wrinkling and sagging skin.

Also known as the Sugar Sag, or Sugar wrinkles, they are easily recognizable. A cross hatch of deep wrinkles occurs.

You can reverse Glycation:

• Start with sugar and carb intake. Simply decreasing these will dramatically reduce the possibility of Glycation. This includes limiting a diet that is heavy with bread, pasta, and cereals. The body converts these carbs and uses them as sugar.
• Increase the processing of sugars so that they can’t hang around. How? Burn them off with exercise!
• AHAs like glycolic acid and Lactic acid encourage skin regeneration, reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, helps to reinforce the skin’s protective barrier, and significantly increases the moisture levels of the skin.
• Vitamin C is an antioxidant, it neutralizes free radicals, and protects against cellular damage. Vitamin C also increases your Collagen production. It also provides sun protection.
• Use Retinol regularly. Retinol increases cellular turnover, increases skin firmness, brightens the appearance of dark spots, and helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. Use of Retinol every night is highly recommended (once your skin has become used to the increased cellular turnover). Or use Noon’s Retinol with Dermshield, and alleviate any chance of an adverse reaction.
• Year round UV protection. Sun damage is the number one cause of aging skin. Use a mineral or physical sunscreen. Chemical sunscreens can cause serious adverse reactions are really unnecessary given the huge selection of healthy sunscreen choices.

Cellular Senescence

Cells have a limited number of replications. A normal human cell can replicate and divide forty to sixty times before it cannot divide anymore, and will break down and experience a natural cell death known as apoptosis. Basically a cell intentionally decides to die. In adults, apoptosis is used to rid the body of cells that have been damaged and are beyond repair.

Senescence cells resist this natural progression of dying off. Instead, these damaged cells continue well beyond their healthy life span causing havoc – and premature aging.

What is even worse, they affect other nearby, formerly healthy cells and gather them. They linger and harm normal healthy cells in the vicinity. They also release chemicals that cause inflammation. They linger and do not make room for other cells.

Stress can cause cells to go into early Senescence.

The result specifically to our skin is decreased thickness, less ability to regenerate; senescence accelerates the aging of other nearby cells that were otherwise healthy.

This is one of the main reasons I encourage men and women to have a healthy skin care plan. You absolutely can mitigate senescence. You can also reverse it.

You Can Reverse Cellular Senescence

• Inducing and encouraging autophagy (cleaning out damaged cells)
• Protect yourself from UV rays and pollution
• Using skincare with antioxidants
• Replenish collagen, elastin and Hyaluronic Acid.
• Have a regular skincare routine using quality products with quality ingredients
• Give your Fibroblasts some love – they are responsible for producing collagen. Encourage increased fibroblast activity. Skin tightening with an OxyGeneo facial is an excellent way to stimulate fibroblast activity.

Aging used to be such a big puzzle to me. Why do some age more gracefully than others? Why do these simple rituals we do with our little jars and bottles make such a difference? It really does make a difference. I hope this helps answer a few of your questions.

The last and most important thing I wanted to leave with you. Ingredients and quality products are critical. You can make use of the apps available to you to help you in your journey to finding quality products, (there are many, I like Yuka). But even better, I am here with a wealth of knowledge to help you choose a regime that will serve you best. Please feel free to message anytime.