COLLAGEN AND THE BATTLE AGAINST SKIN AGING
Skin aging is a fact of life; everyone will face it sooner or later! Did you know that after the age of 20, the dermis layer produces 1% less collagen each year? Unfortunately, it is a natural aging process! However, how our skin ages is something we DO have control over! But in order to understand why we age, it is important to know the basics of the skin. In our twenties, the skin’s exfoliation process decreases by 28%. This means our dead skin cells stick together for longer periods of time. In our thirties, the transfer of moisture from the dermis to the epidermis is slowed and fat cells begin to shrink. These effects make the skin look dull and thin. When we reach our forties, our collagen is reduced significantly – meaning the collagen and elastin fibers break and lose their elasticity in the process. Finally, in our fifties, the skin becomes dry and more easily bruised as the sebaceous glands (which produce oil) have decreased in size. In women, menopause also decreases estrogen levels, leaving the skin drier and less toned.