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Skin Health Facts
by Jinny Thomas, Clinical EstheticianWhat causes skin aging?
Simply put, excessive exposure to the sun and exposure to chemicals, such as cigarette smoke, is considered to be the number one cause of aging skin. In fact, did you know that one puff on a cigarette or breathing in second hand smoke introduces several trillion rampaging free radicals into your body, reducing the flow of oxygen to the skin and depleting the body of Vitamin C.
These factors can cause cross-linking of collagen and elastin (the fibers become disorganized bundles instead of fibers that are lined up properly), which often results in a free radical cascade, causing your skin to age.
What are free radicals?
Free radicals are rogue oxygen molecules that cause cellular degeneration of the bodies tissues and, in particularly, aging of the skin. They are created by certain metabolic actions of the body, such as breathing, and can also be introduced through smog, herbicides, pesticides, smoking, radiation, etc.
Free radicals are highly reactive chemicals that have unpaired electrons. This process is called oxidation. Generally, free radicals attack the nearest stable molecule, "stealing" its electron. When the "attacked" molecule loses its electron, it becomes a free radical itself, beginning a chain reaction. Once the process is started, it can cascade, finally resulting in the disruption of living cells. Free radical damage can accumulate with age.
What is an antioxidant?
An antioxidant is an ingredient to counteract oxidation and destroy, neutralize or re-direct free radicals. They act as scavengers, helping to prevent cell and tissue damage that could lead to cellular damage and disease. Antioxidants chemically react with free radicals to convert the rogue oxygen into water. They neutralize free radicals by donating one of their own electrons, ending the electron-"stealing" reaction. Antioxidants are important agents in protecting the cells from oxidative damage caused by rogue oxygen free radicals that can lead to premature aging. Antioxidants can be maintained and processed through eating plenty of fruits and vegetables, taking vitamins and apply antioxidants to your skin.
Some very effective skin care products that contain antioxidants to prevent premature aging are:
Sircuit Cosmeceuticals "weapon " 10% Vitamin C Antioxidant Therapy Serum
Sircuit "Weapon 10% Serum"
Sircuit Cosmeceuticals "addict" Firming Anti-Oxidant Serum
Sircuit "addict" Antioxidant Serum
Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Serum
Skinceuticals C E Ferulic Serum
Kinerase C6 Peptide Intensive Treatment
Kinerase C6 Peptide Intensive Treatment
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