To maintain the youthful beauty of the skin, besides learning what Collagen is , Elastin is an indispensable element. So what is Elastin? What role does Elastin play in our skin? Let's learn "everything" about Elastin with Dermalogica in this article!
What is Elastin?
Besides Collagen, Elastin is also an important structural protein. It determines the elasticity and firmness of the skin. Elastin is located in the dermis layer of the skin (Dermis), and has a fibrous structure. Elastin determines the elasticity of the skin. To make it easier to visualize, you can think of Elastin fibers as rubber bands. They connect and allow the skin to stretch and pull it back to its original position. Elastin is a protein that determines the flexibility of the skin.
What is the role of Elastin?
In the image above, the skin structure is simulated. We can easily observe Elastin interspersed with Collagen and Hyaluronic Acid in the dermis layer of the skin. Therefore, Estin's role can be listed as:
- Maintains skin elasticity: Elastin helps maintain the elasticity and firm structure of the skin.
- Maintain skin moisture: Elastin helps prevent the loss of Hyaluronic Acid to ensure moisture in the skin. Thanks to that, the skin surface is always shiny and soft.
- Maintain firmness and prevent wrinkles: In the dermis layer of the skin (Dermis), Elastin fibers are distributed and create a 3-dimensional mesh structure surrounding Collagen fibers. Thanks to that, Elastin and Collagen form a tight structure under the skin, helping the skin stay firm and healthy.
Does elastin decrease over time?
In the body, Elastin is a protein that the body synthesizes itself. However, over time, the body's ability to synthesize Elastin gradually decreases in both quantity and quality.
Studies have proven: From the age of 25 onwards, the body loses 1-1.5% of Collagen and Elastin every year. This number will gradually increase: at age 30 it is 15%, at age 40 it is 30%. By age 50, the number increases to 45%.
This is the main reason why as we age, our skin ages and tends to become thinner, saggy and dry.
5 methods to help improve skin elasticity
Aging is a natural law, we cannot avoid it. However, slowing down the aging process is completely possible. Dermalogica will send you 5 methods to help improve skin elasticity.
Sun protection for skin
Ultraviolet rays in sunlight are the leading factor causing skin aging. UV rays contained in sunlight will penetrate the surface of the skin. From there, they cause damage to Elastin in the dermis layer of the skin. Damaged Elastin fibers cause the skin to gradually lose its elasticity and sag. When we are young, the negative effects of sunlight on your skin will not be obvious. However, as we get older, the effects of sunlight become more obvious.
In addition, studies also show that 90% of the causes of aging are caused by sunlight, other factors account for only 10%.
Therefore, daily sun protection is something you should pay close attention to in order to protect your skin in the most effective way.
Skin care
Because Elastin is a protein with a large molecular size. Therefore, supplementing this ingredient through skin care products is not feasible. Therefore, you should use skin care products that can moisturize, nourish and stimulate the skin to produce Collagen and Elastin.
Some ingredients you should consider in skin care products include:
- Anti-aging active ingredients: Retinol, Tretinoin, Vitamin C...
- Moisturizing ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid, vitamin E, Niacinamide, vegetable skin care oil....
Exercise for the skin
Exercises for facial muscles will help increase skin firmness. At the same time stimulates circulation and blood circulation. Thanks to this, the skin will become firmer and more radiant.
You can refer to many exercises for the face area on websites or beauty blogs.
Nutrition
External support methods will not be effective. If you do not supplement a necessary nutritional regimen for your skin. Based on the nutritional ingredients and energy supplemented from the daily diet, new skin can synthesize Elastin and Collagen. So what is the group of foods that help increase Elastin growth?
- Food group rich in vitamin C: bell peppers, guava, citrus fruits...
- Food groups rich in Vitamin B: salmon, green leafy vegetables, mussels, mussels, beef, beans...
- Food group rich in Vitamin E: avocado, almonds, walnuts, olives, broccoli...
- Food groups rich in Phytoestrogen: pistachios, salmon, sweet potatoes, sesame seeds...
Supplementing the group of foods mentioned above will help the body increase the source of raw materials to synthesize Collagen and Elastin.
High-tech cosmetic methods
Although high-tech cosmetic methods have the disadvantage of being high in cost. However, the quick results brought about by these methods are something we cannot deny. Currently, there are many high-tech cosmetic methods that women choose to improve skin elasticity. So what are the high-tech cosmetic methods that help increase Elastin?
- Needle rolling: A method of creating microscopic injuries through needle tips on the skin surface. The purpose of this method is to stimulate the skin's self-healing process. This process is also the body's natural synthesis of collagen and Elastin.
- PRP method - Platelet-rich plasma injection: Through blood processing, doctors will extract a large amount of platelets. This amount of platelets will be injected back into the skin. They will help synthesize and increase the production of Elastin and Collagen.
In addition to these two popular methods. At cosmetic hospitals, there are many other methods such as: Laser, electric pulse... However, before doing it, you should carefully research these methods as well as the performing unit. This will help you avoid possible risks.
Conclude
Dermalogica hopes that through this article, readers will have more useful information about: What is Elastin? At the same time, you will have a more comprehensive perspective on methods to help improve skin elasticity. Please choose the most suitable method for yourself so you can apply it right now!