Tuesday 17 April 2018

MINI SERIES: COLLAGEN #5


#5 In Salon Collagen Treatments

There are various in-salon treatments that therapists can offer their clients to increase collagen levels naturally. Environ' Collagen Power Facial. is a peptide-packed treatment that boosts collagen, softens fine lines and tightens lax skin. Gentle sound waves and pulsed iontophoresis are used to drive a special nutrient-packed serum deep into the skin to give a plumper, more radiant appearance.

Environ Skincare Treatment


Collagen Stimulation Therapy
The most effective treatment salons can offer is Collagen Stimulation Therapy. which harnesses the body's natural powers of healing to smooth the skin and achieve incredible results, pioneered by Environ' Founder Or Des Fernandes. Collagen Stimulation Therapy (CST) can stimulate collagen production and tighten skin. It combines micro-needling with topical vitamin skincare and involves thousands of tiny needle pricks to the skin. The resultant bleeding initiates the release of platelets which in turn release a cascade of growth factors. This is what stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, resulting in a tighter, smoother and younger looking skin. One of the key growth factors released (TGF 83) is normally only found in foetal tissue and is responsible for initiating scar-less healing and regenerating skin.

Adapted from an article in the IIAA Bulletin April 2018

Monday 16 April 2018

MINI SERIES: COLLAGEN #4


#4 Vitamin A and Collagen

Vitamin A influences up to a thousand of the body's genes and it is essential for the normal function of ALL skin cells. It induces the genes for collagen production - healthy lattice-type collagen I and ll. Vitamin A also increases NMF (natural moisturising factors) in the skin, and improves the quality of elastin. According to research, vitamin A is effective in preventing and treating the collagen loss caused by photo damage. It found that treating the skin with vitamin A prevents the loss of type 1 and type 2 collagen caused by UV exposure. Furthermore, the role of peptides, cannot be ignored. Peptides are made up of amino acids, which can help form collagen, elastin and GAGS (moisturising factors). Introducing moisturisers that contain a combination of Matrixyl 3000, Trylaqen and Matrixyl Synthe 6 peptide complexes, can help to smooth out lines and wrinkles and restore collagen levels, making the skin appear plumper and smoother.

Active Vitamin A Treatment


Adapted from an article in the IIAA Bulletin April 2018

Sunday 15 April 2018

MINI SERIES: COLLAGEN #3


#3 Collagen - The Elixir Of Youth?

As we learnt from Meryl Streep in the cult 90's film 'Death Becomes Her', the quest for eternal youth is something many strive for and youthful skin can become the ultimate skincare goal. But unfortunately, ageing IS a natural part of life and as time passes by collagen levels start to decline. From the age of 20, 1 % percent less collagen is produced in the dermis each year. As we age less collagen is produced and both collagen and elastin fibres break, thicken, stiffen, clump together and lose their elasticity.
Without collagen the skin will lose its youthful, plumpness and slowly the signs of ageing becoming increasing Visible. There's no stopping the ageing process. Luckily there are ways to slow it down and prevent some of the visible signs of ageing. One way to preserve youthful skin is to activate or regenerate fibroblast cells ensuring a good supply of collagen fibres and firmer skin.

Collagen and Youthful Looks


Adapted from an article in the IIAA Bulletin April 2018

Saturday 14 April 2018

MINI SERIES: COLLAGEN #2


#2 THE FIVE MAIN TYPES OF COLLAGEN

Type 1: Collagen Type I is the most abundant collagen of the human body. It is the end product when tissue heals by repair and is our best structural collagen.

Type 2: Collagen Type II is found as we grow larger and become more active. It is the main component of cartilage.

Type 3: Collagen Type III is found In adults and mature tissue and IS formed before being synthesised into Collagen Type I.

Type 4: Collagen Type IV is found in the basement membrane.

Type 5: Collagen Type V is associated with Collagen Type I and is found in cell surfaces.

Collagen and the skin

Adapted from an article in the IIAA Bulletin April 2018

Friday 13 April 2018

MINI SERIES: COLLAGEN #1


#1 What Is Collagen?

Collagen is the most abundant protein in the body and is found mainly in the skin, muscles, bones, cartilage and all the body's connective tissues. In the skin, collagen is responsible for its strength and elasticity. Collagen is made by the fibroblast cells found in the dermis. In addition to making collagen, fibroblast cells are also responsible for elastin production, as well as natural moisturising factors such as Hyaluronic acid. Fibroblast cells protect collagen by inhibiting collagenase (an enzyme that breaks down collagen) and also make pro-collagenases which destroy old and damaged collagen. Normal, healthy collagen (in lattice-type formation) is incredibly strong. It can be compared to a rubber band as it is extremely elastic and springs back when stretched.
There are several factors that contribute to collagen loss including: natural skin ageing and UV damage. Other key contributory factors to collagen loss include free radicaI damage and lifestyle (i.e. smoking, excess caffeine, alcohol and sugar consumption). If fibroblasts are damaged by UV rays or free radicals they will produce defective collagen.
If deep, long term damage to the structural proteins occur then the skin loses its tone and structure. Therefore it is important to safeguard your natural collagen by ensuring protecting your skin from UV damage and follow a healthy diet and lifestyle.


Adapted from an article in the IIAA Bulletin April 2018

Sunday 18 March 2018

MINI SERIES: HORMONES - THE EFFECTS ON SKIN AT EACH STAGE OF LIFE #6


FIVE STEPS TO HORMONAL HAPPINESS


BY DR YEHUOI GORDON. CONSULTANT GYNAECOLOGIST




1. Understand.

Every cell in the body needs hormones to work optimally.

2. Nourish.

Hormones cannot work in a stressed body - nutritious food, vitamins, minerals. omega fish oils, vitamin D, sleep and exercise are like fertilised soil for the hormones to do their job.

3. BHRT.

Bio-identical hormones mimic the structure of your own hormones, They are natural purified from plants and have not been manipulated for the purposes of patent applications.

4. Personalised.

Your doctor will recommend a formula that is personally designed to re-balance your hormone profile, depending on the results of a blood test.

5. Ageless.

BHRT is beneficial during the peri to post menopause stages: it's a myth that once past menopause, women do not need hormones. Even 90 year old women are using them.

SBB Burton
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Source: IIA Bulletin March 2018

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Saturday 17 March 2018

MINI SERIES: HORMONES - THE EFFECTS ON SKIN AT EACH STAGE OF LIFE #5


FIFTIES - SKIN & THE MENOPAUSE


The menopause usually occurs between 45 and 55 years of age. It follows the perimenopause stage and is when menstrual periods stop and fertility ends. Menopause symptoms include hot flushes, insomnia, and weight gain, loss of sex drive, mood swings, depression and changes

to the appearance of the skin. A rather irritating symptom is also unwanted facial hair. Some women often find hairs appearing on their chin or Jaw line, which is caused by a drop in oestrogen and rise in testosterone levels. It is also during this time that women may opt for treatment to relieve some of the many symptoms of the menopause such as BHRT (Bio-identical hormone replacement therapy).

"Bio-identical hormones are exactly similar in molecular structure (i.e, identical) to the hormones that your ovaries and adrenal glands secrete into your bloodstream. They are produced in the laboratory from plants, usually yam or soya" - Dr Yehudi Gordon (Consultant Gynaecologist)



WHAT ARE TYPICAL MENOPAUSE SKIN CHANGES?

1. Change in fat deposits

Oestrogen deficiency during menopause causes a change in body composition with an increase in abdominal fat. This contributes to metabolic syndrome which increases the risk of cardiac disease and diabetes. Facial fat becomes thinner resulting in loss of volume.

2. Wrinkles

Wrinkles will become more prominent as your skin begins to sag and lose its elasticity.

3. Hyperpigmentation/ Age Spots

Melanocytes, which are the cells that manufacture the pigment melanin, are also controlled by oestrogens. As menopause kicks in, melanocytes levels decline. As melanin decreases, areas of the skin become lighter and therefore more susceptible to sun damage.

4. Sun Damage

Years of sun exposure can results in solar lentigines. These brown 'age spots' may start to appear on the face, neck, hands, arms and chest. Age spots can look flat with a black, brown or even grey colour. However, often at times these age spots may have a similar appearance to some skin cancers. Therefore, as a precaution, if your client is concerned with very dark spots or spots that one that looks blotchy or are increasing in size, it is best to advise them to visit their GP.

5. Dry Skin

Dry skin happens as your skin ages because it fails to produce natural oils partly due to a decrease in hormone production. Seasonal changes also affect menopause skin changes. However on the contrary, some women may experience oily skin with the decline in oestrogen.



USEFUL TIPS FOR COPING WITH THE MENOPAUSE



1. Use SPF cream wiih antioxidants - a winning combination for menopausal skin changes.

2 Eliminate scrubs, harsh cleansers and facial brushes which strip the skin of natural oils and disrupt the stratum corneum promoting transepidermal water loss.

3. Use a hydrating oil based cleanser that removes environmental pollutants from the skin whilst maintaining the natural acid balance of the skin.

4. Introduce key active ingredients such as vitamin A and C orally and topically, along with antioxidants to protect the skin against the damaging effects of free radicals. Vitamin A thickens the skin, whilst stimulating natural moisturising factors, Vitamin C will support collagen production and help generate healthy skin cells.

5. Introduce a good quality omega 3 and 6 supplement to compensate for the decline in oils and nutrients.

6. Supplement with bio-identical hormones which will reduce or eliminate the symptoms of the menopause. Combined with lifestyle and dietary changes this can mean staying vital, strong and healthy (physically and mentally) as we go through the menopause and beyond. 





Next in the series: Five Steps to Hormonal Happiness


Source: IIA Bulletin March 2018