Description

The ageing process is dependent on intrinsic / hereditary factors and, together with environmental factors and individual lifestyle, leads to a slowing down of important metabolic processes of the skin: the cause of the visible signs of ageing, such as wrinkles and folds, sagging skin, decreasing elasticity and the loss of shine. One of the main reasons for the visible signs of skin ageing is a reduction in the volume-giving cells.

Causes

In addition to biologically induced ageing, a number of internal and external factors contribute to the processes that cause wrinkles and skin sagging.

Hormonal changes

A major internal factor for sagging skin is hormonal changes. During puberty, the amount of oestrogen increases and the face is plump. As we age, hormone levels drop and the number and size of the volume-giving skin cells decrease.

Lifestyle

Volume loss is part of general skin ageing and is contributed to by the same lifestyle-related external factors that contribute to wrinkles, decreasing elasticity and lack of shine. Primary among these are: smoking and the sun – both of which lead to collagen degradation or collagen damage. As we age, the rate of synthesis of collagen is significantly lower than the rate of degradation. In addition, excessive sugar consumption and the associated glycation of proteins, fibres and nucleic acids (advanced glycation end products) causes wrinkles, as the end products – as the name suggests – cannot be metabolised and thus significantly affect the connective tissue.

The factors mentioned generate oxidative stress, which leads to the formation of free radicals. These attack the cell structures that are responsible for a smooth and firm appearance of the skin. Once the structure is weakened and collagen and elastin are broken down, this accelerates overall skin ageing. The visible signs such as fine lines and wrinkles, loss of volume, decreasing elasticity and lack of shine become more visible.

Possible effects on your biomarkers

In the upper layers of the skin (epidermis), the production of hyaluronic acid and lipids decreases. In addition to an increase in fine lines and wrinkles, this causes thinner-looking skin and changes in skin texture, such as dryness and roughness. The thinning also comes from the slower proliferation rate of basal keratinocytes, which can no longer produce enough new cells to maintain skin thickness. In addition, the density of the cells and connective tissue is decreasing.

An annual decrease in the collagen content in the deeper layers of the skin, together with a decreasing elastin content, increases the thinning of the skin. Since elastin is partly responsible for the elasticity and strength of the skin, a decrease in these two substances leads to sagging and less elastic skin. The size and number of volume-giving cells decrease, causing these layers to shrink. The consequences are hollow cheeks and a more weary facial expression. Over time, the skin’s nutrient supply and blood circulation decrease. The skin can bind less moisture and heals worse.