Elastin is one of the connective tissues that make up the structure of the dermis, and it, together with collagen, gives your skin it’s elasticity – it’s what gives your skin its ‘spring’ back into shape function. It is one of the most abundant proteins of the body.
It is a yellowish-coloured, stretchy protein that resembles a rubber band – it can stretch out (extend) and shrink back (recoil), and is a component of the body’s tissues that needs to have the stretchiness tow ok effectively, such as the lungs, the bladder, large blood vessels, some ligaments, and even the ear cartilage.
Sadly, as our skin matures, especially after menopause, the production of elastin slows down, plus the elasticity weakens, which is best tested on the backs of your hands. This can easily be seen by using a modern hand air dryer in a lady’s restroom – a frightening sight!
I know that the backs of my own hands are now looking looser than they used to be, which means that the skin every where on my face and my body is now slowly starting to suffer with elastin ageing.
We must remember Elastin, as well as collagen, often work together, but elastin is around 1000 times stretchier than collagen. It makes up about 2% - 4% of the fat and moisture-free dry content in an adult’s dermis. Plus, elastin lessens as we age as well as losing its elasticity.
There are a number of conditions that include the affect on elastin, such as atherosclerosis in the arteries, cutis laxa, a disease where the skin appears loose and wrinkly (a genetic mutation) and emphysema, a lung disease where the elastin breaks down in the lungs, to name a few you may have heard of.
There are a few treatments that can help boost elastin (and collagen) production in the skin such as Micro-needling/nano-needling, some even with heat, or nano-fusion that cause minor injuries to the skin’s surface to introduce pure serum ingredients and produces elastin and collagen during the skin healing process. Also, the use of retinoids, such as Retin A (only used through a dermatologist). although there are cosmeceutical products available that are Retinol derivatives that can be bought over the counter or through a beauty or aesthetic salon or spa.
To help to support your skin’s health:
- using a good sunscreen all year around (at least SPF 30),
- eating healthily (such as leafy greens, citrus fruits, berries and fatty fish and nuts),
- establish a good skin care routine, by regularly clean and moisturise, using skin creams that contain Vitamin A (Retinols), Ferulic Acid, Polypeptides, Vitamin C and Vitamin E – these will help to reduce wrinkles and help restore damaged skin cells. The use of hydrolysed elastin may make you skin look younger, but not if you are vegetarian, as it an animal-based ingredients
- Regular exercise will boost the metabolism in your skin and boosts circulation
I personally love retinol and hyaluronic acid products, but there are many combinations of these blended with other active ingredients in them forming amazing serum cocktails.
So, why not add one of these products to your skin care routine, if you are not using one at present. You will see and feel a difference almost straight away.
Love,
Shirley-Louise xx
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