Winter is coming! Not yet, but it's still coming. You might be excited to build a snowman in your back or front yard. You might as well get ready to pick your winter suit and hit the snowboard.
But your skin would be very worried if it was beaten by the fierce cold winds, depriving it of the last dew of moisture before your skin throws a violent tantrum. How about taking extra care of your skin, which can only come from knowledge and careful practical care.
Today we will examine what skin elasticity is, what causes the loss of elasticity of the skin due to weather and other causes, how to improve skin elasticity and what methods you can use to avoid such traumas or at least slow down the aging process .
What is skin elasticity?
Have you ever stretched an elastic band? As soon as you release it from one side, it returns to its original shape. When you pull on a baby's cheek, the new skin springs back as well. This property of the skin to bounce back is called elasticity. It helps you maintain your skin texture, gives you a youthful appearance and makes you look more radiant.
There is a fibrous protein layer called elastin, which is responsible for the elasticity of the skin. It is present in the dermis layer of the skin. Elastin makes your skin supple and helps stretched skin to regain its original shape.
Causes of loss of skin elasticity
Your skin is an important organ of your body. It acts as a barrier against germs and as a sensor of touch, temperature, etc. As an external barrier, it is exposed to all kinds of climate and external influences that effect its elasticity. At the same time, some internal factors can also cause damage or decrease in the elasticity of your skin.
Some of the causes of loss of skin elasticity are listed below:
Poor skin care
Skincare can make or break your skin. Through the world of Instagram and Snapchat (and now TikTok!) influencers fill our walls with the perfect and textureless skin. The downside is an unrealistic expectation of what your skin should look like. The upside is that more and more people have turned their attention to building a healthy skincare routine so that they are not using the filters from those glamorous influencers.
However, it's hard to build a skincare routine when we don't understand our skin. We might follow a skincare consultant who has oily skin. We might use the products they recommend despite the fact that our skin is dry.
In addition, you might be pairing the wrong products together. Yes, lots of celebrities are telling you to use Retinol and Vitamin C, but did you know you shouldn't use them together? If you're a beginner to skincare, we recommend trying a set. These products are specifically formulated to work together - it takes the guesswork out of how to build your routine.
And regardless of products, there are a few basics to avoid poor skin care.
First, it's important to wash your face. Don't sleep in those heavily colored and scented makeup products. Don't be cruel to your skin. Yes, yes, we understand that you spent six hours getting that eye makeup and perfect contour, but staying in that makeup overnight would give you bumps for a week, or if you're not so lucky, it could cause a lifetime of damage to your smooth skin.
Second, wearing sunscreen every single day (yes, even when its cloudy) will save youthful skin elasticity from declining. The UV rays from sun exposure generate free radicals which attack healthy skin cells, including important proteins like collagen and elastin. So even if you don't tan/burn easily, a lifetime in the sun without SPF will lead to poor elasticity later in life.
Aging
Aging can cause wrinkles, pores and fine lines to appear on your skin. Hormonal changes and variations in biological processes effect elastin production. This also leads to a loss of elasticity of the skin. Just like collagen, elastin production naturally slows as we age. This is compounded by environmental changes, decades of UV radiation which attacks skin proteins, and lifestyle choices like smoking and poor diet.
Environment
The environment plays a crucial role in maintaining skin elasticity. Too much sunlight exposes your skin to UV rays. The sun's UVA and UVB rays are known to cause photoaging, a condition of premature skin aging. They break down elastin and other components such as hyaluronic acid and collagen.
To add more to the environmental factors that affect skin elasticity, we also mention pollution. Environmental pollution is responsible for oxidative stress in the skin, which consequently affects the elasticity of the skin. For this reason, it is important to include antioxidants like vitamin C in your skincare routine.
Ways to improve elasticity
As mentioned earlier, skin elasticity allows you to maintain your youthful appearance. It makes your skin look hydrated, feel smooth and soft, and gives your physical face an overall glow and radiance. And you can remove those pesky lines by incorporating certain rituals into your daily routine.
So keep reading to learn what rituals will work for you!
Witch hazel extract
Plant extracts have always been used as the best remedies for skin problems. They have never failed us in improving our skin condition. One such plant that is helpful in restoring the flexibility of our skin is witch hazel. The extract of this plant is commercially available. Sunbathing will lose some of your elastin; the extract of witch hazel will restore this. Check out empyri's hydrating hemp toner with alcohol-free witch hazel for a gentle, non-drying option.
Genistein isoflavones
Genistein is naturally a phytoestrogen and has been shown to have positive effects on the skin, especially in restoring elastin. This soybean isoflavone acts like estrogen in the body. More studies and research need to be done to prove its positive effects. However, people who have used it have never complained that this extract does not work.
Cocoa Flavanols
Who would have thought that cocoa flavanols could also be a way to renew your healthy skin? Regular cocoa flavanols have shown positive effects on skin elasticity and fading of wrinkles. It must be a treat for most chocolate lovers. It's time to consume chocolates rich in cocoa flavanols!
Laser treatments
If your skin is way too saggy, wrinkles have appeared too early or there is skin discoloration, you can opt for laser treatment. Laser treatment allows rehabilitation of damaged elastin, improves the integrity of collagen fibers (they are also abundant in the dermis layer) and contribute to your physical image.
Chemical peeling
This is a somewhat dramatic medical treatment. The process involves removing your upper dermis so it can revitalize a new layer of collagen and elastin. A youthful supply of such skin-improving materials ultimately revitalize the skin on your hands and face.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hydration is important for your skin. In addition to drinking plenty of water, you can use hyaluronic acid. Products that contain hyaluronic acid help keep your skin in better condition. It plumps at the
Dermabrasion
A skin renewal procedure that uses a fast-moving rotator to completely slough off the top layer of skin is dermabrasion. The process will "hurt" your skin for about three weeks until the miracle of dermabrasion comes to fruition. It may cause your skin to itch at first. But over time, it will get better and the younger layer of skin will reappear.
How to prevent the loss of skin elasticity
There are numerous ways to prevent the loss of skin elasticity. Some of them are:
Diet
A balanced diet between proteins, amino acids, minerals as well as vitamins will always satisfy our appetite and help our skin look its best at all times. A diet rich in proteins is especially necessary for beautiful skin.
Likewise, vitamin C and minerals such as zinc and iron are important for glowing skin. Avoid taking sugar as it is not good for the skin. Usually, increased sugar consumption leads to a breakout.
A good night's rest
Consistency is key when it comes to caring for your skin with sleep. Go to bed on time and wake up on time. It's okay to have sleepless nights every now and then, but insomnia also causes stress to the skin. This is because when you don't get enough sleep, your skin releases hormones that cause inflammation.
Hydration
Hydration provides an active environment for other skin functions to work well. It also makes you look fresh. Drink more water, apply a moisturizer to keep hydrated and moisturized, and take products that consist of hyaluronic acid.
Supplements
If you feel that your diet is not providing you with all the essential nutrients, then you should use supplements. Whether it is collagen supplements or in elastin supplements or a combination of both, you can use for the benefit of your skin.
Conclusion
Aging is inevitable - and so are changes in your skin like loss of elasticity. However, you can care for your skin now and for the future with a few easy steps. And remember, aging is a privilege and
You Are Loved.