SKIN IS THE FIRST BUSINESS CARD IN A HUMAN'S SOCIAL LIFE

EVERYBODY UNDERSTANDS AGING IS A NATURAL  & INEVITABLE PROCESS. BUT FEW CAN EMBRACE IT GRACEFULLY. THE FEAR OF LOOKING OLD SOMETIMES IS SO OVERWHELMING THAT SOME PEOPLE FALL PRAY TO WRONG ADVICE  &  LAND UP IN PROBLEMS.
 

Broadly speaking anti-aging treatments fall under 4 categories. 
1. Invasive 
2.Noninvasive 
3. Cosmetics
4. Lifestyle changes

The most popular category could be cosmetics which are within reach of the majority population. The market is flooded with newer & newer anti-aging cosmetics luring individuals to use them. The promise of making you a younger-looking person is so exciting that people fall prey to these instant remedies. In most of the cases, the results are not as per the promises made or at times an individual lands up in a soup.

The gold benchmark for anti-aging cosmetics is laid down by Dr.Kligman by posing 3 questions.

• 1.      Can the active ingredient penetrate the upper layer of skin and be delivered in sufficient                 concentrations to its intended target in the skin?
• 2.       Does the active ingredient has a known specific biochemical mechanism of action in the               tissue   in  human skin?
• 3.      Are there published, statistically significant, clinical trials to substantiate the efficacy claims?

Now let us understand which cosmetics ingredients when used are measuring up to the expectations of   Dr.Kligman.

1. Retinoids: shows skin penetration which is useful for the treatment of anti-aging.

2. Niacinamide: Studies demonstrate significant penetration into human skin.

3. Soy flavones Results showed that soy can penetrate through the upper layer of the skin and            can  reach the middle level of the skin.    

The practical benefits for the individuals are       

Retinoids:      decrease fine lines & wrinkles

Niacinamide: Decreases yellowing of skin, decreases blotchiness decreases wrinkles & fine lines,                                 hyperpigmentation.

Soy flavones:  increases collagen synthesis,

Green Tea:       Decreases collagen breakdown,   Antioxidant effects inhibit harmful UV rays.                                      

Sebum & it's implications in Acne

The normal function of sebaceous glands is to produce and secrete sebum, a group of complex oils including triglycerides and fatty acid breakdown products, wax esters, squalene, cholesterol esters, and cholesterol. Sebum lubricates the skin to protect against friction and makes it more impervious to moisture.

Sebaceous hyperplasia causes small bumps to appear on the skin when sebaceous glands become enlarged. ... Too much sebum can contribute to several problems, including acne, oily skin, or an oily scalp. Sebum can also become trapped inside the gland, causing it to swell and form a bump under the skin.

Sebaceous hyperplasia[PROLIFERATION OF CELLS] causes small bumps to appear on the skin when sebaceous glands become enlarged.

Hyperseborrhoea[HYPERSECRETION OF SEBUM] has been considered as a major aetiopathogenetic factor of acne. However, changes in sebaceous gland activity not only correlate with seborrhoea but also with alterations in sebum fatty acid composition. Current findings indicate that sebum lipid fractions with proinflammatory properties and inflammatory tissue cascades are associated in the process of the development of acne lesions. The oxidant/antioxidant ratio of the skin surface lipids and alterations of lipid composition are the main players in the induction of acne inflammation. Nutrition may influence the development of seborrhoea, the fractions of sebum lipids, and acne. Acne is an inflammatory disease probably triggered, among others, by proinflammatory sebum lipid fractions.