The skin progresses over time from beautiful, radiant, and well-functioning to rough,
dry, wrinkled, sagging, and usually hyperpigmented. Age-related changes occur for
many reasons, but much of the change is dictated by basic genetics. Genetic-based
ageing is called intrinsic ageing. Since each person’s genetic program is unique,
everyone ages at his or her own rate. However, other factors affect the skin’s appearance.
Environmental factors, health, nutrition, sun exposure, and stress can all intensify
the normal effects of ageing. These impacts are called extrinsic ageing.
Genetically based ageing causes biochemical changes in collagen and elastin, the
building blocks of tissue in the skin’s dermal layer that provide firmness and elasticity.
Collagen forms the structural network of the skin and is the most abundant protein
in the body. It is one of the strongest proteins in nature and provides strength
and durability in the skin. As collagen deteriorates naturally, the skin becomes
thinner. Elastin is similar to collagen, but is a more supple protein and maintains
the skin’s elasticity - its ability to stretch and then return to its former shape.
Elastin provides the matrix that holds individual skin cells in place. Loss of elastin
causes the skin to lose its tautness and its ability to return to its former contour
after being stretched. Sagging is a visible indication of damaged or lost elastin.
The loss of collagen and elastin manifests as thinner, rougher, drier, less responsive
skin, and wrinkles. As a result, the epidermis collapses into the damaged dermis.
This process also loosens underlying support of the skin’s subcutaneous fat layer.
The fat that is left succumbs to gravity and moves to lower areas. Reduced firmness
and elasticity cause the skin to sag and look less taut, with deepened wrinkles
and a rougher surface.
Extrinsic ageing can hasten and exacerbate
intrinsic ageing. Extrinsic ageing caused by sun damage and other
factors can increase the rate of intrinsic ageing from collagen and elastin damage
in the dermis. Many scientists believe that photo-damage causes up to 90% more damage
to skin than genetically programmed changes. Cigarette smoking contributes dramatically
to harmful biochemical changes in the skin. Similarly, poor nutrition, stress, and
illness also take their toll.
DermaQuest™ clients have wide-ranging issues with their skin, but they all share
a common desire to turn back the clock. Significant progress has been made in the
science of skincare, enabling powerful treatments to slow and, in some cases, even
reverse the damage that time, the environment, and lifestyle habits have caused.
New products, techniques, and procedures offer the possibility of beautiful, rejuvenated
skin at every stage in the ageing process. DermaQuest™ Skin Therapy is committed
to product and treatment innovations that vigorously combat signs of ageing in the
skin.
Recent skincare innovations have shattered the conventional wisdom that topical products
don’t work. Many of the most effective skincare ingredient and product innovations
did not exist as recently as 5-10 years ago, although important basic treatments
have been in use much longer (glycolic acid products are an example). DermaQuest™
Skin Therapy products include cutting-edge performance ingredients, giving physicians
and estheticians the effective tools they need to help their clients fight the ravages
of time. In addition, even more powerful formulations are in development at all
times in our laboratory.