Beauty is Body and Mind Deep

They say 'Beauty is skin deep' but, better put, it is 'body and mind deep'. Most young-looking skins have some things in common: they have intact collagen and elastin which make skin tight and elastic, preventing sagging and wrinkles. Collagen and elastin are produced by fibroblasts and hold together skin cells that naturally die to form keratin in the outer protective layer of the skin( cornified epidermis). Collagen and elastin are protein in nature. (What goes for the skin is applicable to the hair as well)

With time and aging this outer skin is subject to damage from environmental factors such as oxygen in the air and sunlight, which together produce damaging reactive free radicals. Excessive cold or heat puts stress(pressure) and strain(stretch) to the skin and will also damage the skin.

Skin aging is usually due to damage from free radicals which are produced as a result of psychological stress, disease and toxins such as smoking, drugs and indulgence in too much alcohol drinking. The free radicals often occur as inflammation sets in. Metabolic overactivity of body cells in inflammation will lead to oxygen picking up electrons that are not combining with hydrogen (to form water). The extra-election thus left on oxygen makes it very reactive and damaging to tissues. The result is the roughness, crustiness, sagging and wrinkles that are cardinal signs of aging.

To prevent the aging looks, infections should be adequately treated and psychological stress should be well managed through the cultivation of positive outlook to life and the shutting down of negative thoughts towards others and oneself.

Consumption of anti-oxidants in fruits, vegetables and nuts will scavenge the reactive free radicals and save the skin of damage. Moderate exercise adequately improves blood circulation and supplies molecular oxygen that is necessary for collagen and elastin syntheses. Vitamins A,C, E and others(anti-oxidants) carry oxygen to the skin to boost collagen synthesis and then pick up reactive oxygen free radicals, making the skin healthy, glowing and young.

Cosmetically, substances, usually mild irritants like low concentrations of glycolic acid, citric acid, sodium hydroxide, sulfur, salicylic acid and benzoic peroxide, retinoic acid, will stimulate skin cell growth and renewal, thus leaving the scaly outer skin to drop off and give way to new cells to grow out from below the skin surface. This will smoothen the skin. Newer cells will offer better, damage-free collagen and elastin that gives the youthful look. Astringents such as tannic acid, zinc and aluminum salts tighten the skin by binding to collagen strands, pulling them together. Needless to say that good hydration is necessary in order to prevent the environmental drying and damaging effects on the skin.

By taking good care of our bodily, emotional, mental and spiritual healths, we will exuberate youthfulness and strength and when we look good and feel good about ourselves we will drive away negative thoughts and generate positive ones. This in turn will give us better health.

Dr. Oliver Verbe Birnso MD.













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