The beauty game is something we all play to some extent and, when we get serious about addressing the signs of aging, we want to experience as many wins as possible. One way to do that is to enlist the help of innovative science. If you’re ready to add more to your beauty routine than the latest creams and serums, we’re here to help. The first and potentially best way we can do that is to portray the beauty game for what it is, a lifetime of work.
When a new patient comes into our Fresno cosmetic dermatology office, one of the questions they typically have goes something like “how quickly will I see results from this treatment?” This approach to beauty can be a mistake and its one we want you to avoid. The thing about beauty is that it is a continual work in progress. Just like there is no lasting value in one healthy meal or one rigorous workout, there is no once-and-done technique that can manage the appearance of the skin forever. To manage the signs of aging, it is necessary to support the cells that keep the skin looking younger.
Fibroblasts: The Powerhouse Cells In The Skin
Aging isn’t just a matter of time, it’s a matter of biology. We all have fibroblast cells in the dermis, a deeper layer of the skin. These cells are the powerhouses that produce collagen and elastin. You may have heard of collagen as a protein that is important to the beauty and resiliency of the skin. This protein is what heals scrapes and cuts, yes, and is also one that keeps the skin firm. Elastin, on the other hand, keeps the skin tight. It is the protein that allows the skin to bounce back from stretching.
The body uses about 1 to 2% of its collagen and elastin every year. When we’re young, this is inconsequential because our fibroblasts are in good working order. They keep up with the demands of the skin. By age 30, though, these hard-working cells are all but worn out. Their production of proteins drops so dramatically that the usage of collagen and elastin now surpasses what is being made to replace them. At a depletion rate of just 1 to 2%, the loss of collagen and elastin starts to show up on the skin by about age 40. After that point, the signs of aging seem to occur much more quickly.
Without surgery, it is not possible to correct signs of aging permanently. There are ways, though, to support vibrant, firm skin without surgery. When beauty treatments like laser resurfacing or microneedling are made a habit, it is possible to continually stimulate fibroblasts so they maintain a healthy production of beautifying proteins.
Discover what your skin needs to age more gracefully. Call 559-435-SKIN (7546) to schedule a visit to our Fresno office.
