What The Heck Are Antioxidants Anyway?
My clients often worry about their skin losing its elasticity, as well as the development of fine lines, wrinkles and an uneven tone and texture.
These are some of the most common concerns for women over 30.
A few year ago, as an esthetic field as a whole, there was not much we knew we could do. We considered it a part of the normal process of the skin’s aging.
But suddenly, the words ‘Free Radicals’ and ‘Antioxidants’ began creating a buzz within the skin care industry!
However, I notice time and again, that even though these are two very common terms, most people don’t truly understand what they mean.
Do you know why these two terms are related to one another?
Is this something you know to look for when purchasing your skin care products?
Do you know why we need antioxidants and how they help with free radicals?
Free Radicals are the ‘bad guys’ so to speak and the cause of all our complaints (flacidity, fine lines, wrinkles, uneven tone and so on.)
As I mentioned, a few years ago we didn’t know very much about these skin offenders, but now all we can do is talk about them!
Once we began understanding the sun, the most knowledgeable consumers were aware that UV radiation in general were the primary cause of free radicals.
But what ARE free radicals?
- Free radicals are unpaired molecules (of either a positive or negative charge) that are missing a molecule or ‘partner’ of the opposite charge.
- This causes them to bounce around erratically in search of that molecule of the opposite charge. This bouncing then damages the surrounding cell’s DNA, affecting how those cells then reproduce themselves.
- They damage lipids that affect the coloring of the skin, as well as the skin’s protein, specifically collagen and elastin (two of the skin’s most IMPORTANT proteins.)
Now what are antioxidants and how do they come into play?
- Antioxidants are the ‘good guys’. The come to the skin’s rescue and neutralize the free radicals by providing that missing opposite charge.
- Antioxidants can trun these free radicals into more benign compounds, stopping them before they cause DNA mutation, inflammation and collagen loss.
- Keep in mind that even using the best sunscreens, UV radiation still penetrates the skin producing oxidative damage that can be effectively controlled with antioxidants.
- A winning combination is an effective broad spectrum sunblock during the day, and antioxidants at night (Click here to read more about effective broad spectrum sunblocks.)One of the most effective antioxidants on the market today is Idebenone. Begin using Elisabeth Arden’s Prevage .5%. It is less irritating to the skin and a great place to start. Once your skin is accustomed to the .5%, you can move on to Prevage MD 1%.
So, remember to load up your skin with antioxidants this summer and keep your skin healthy!
The Derma Divas.
