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Humans can greatly accelerate their rate of
skin aging. For instance, a 35-year-old woman
will look older if she smokes cigarettes, eats
overcooked foods, avoids fresh fruits and
vegetables, and/or exposes her skin to
ultraviolet sunlight.
Just as there are proven ways to speed up
skin degeneration, there now are documented
methods to prevent and reverse it.
The population is revolting against unsightly
skin deterioration by taking extraordinary steps
to preserve the radiance of youth. The result is
that aging people today do not have to look as
old as previous generations.
This article uncovers novel approaches to
looking younger that are available for the first
time to the general public.
One reason that facial skin “shrivels” as we
age is that our natural hormone production
markedly declines. To make matters worse, blood
microcirculation to our skin is reduced as we
grow older, thereby depriving our skin of the
small amount of natural hormones our body still
makes.
A large number of published scientific
studies reveal that estrogen exerts potent
anti-aging effects on the skin.1-12
The topical application of natural estrogen can
produce dramatic improvements to the skin
without systemic absorption concerns.
How Estrogen Promotes Youthful Skin
As women enter menopause, their internal
estrogen production sharply declines. The
resulting estrogen deficit exacerbates the
effects of both normal and environmental skin
aging. According to the findings of a scientific
study published last year, “estrogens prevent
skin aging. They increase skin thickness and
improve skin moisture.”12 Another recent study
came to the same conclusion, i.e. “skin aging
can be significantly delayed by the admin-istration
of estrogen.”2
A critical mechanism by which estrogen
maintains a youthful plump appearance is to
increase the synth-esis of collagen, which is
the skin’s underlying support structure.
Collagen atrophy is a major factor in skin
aging. There is a strong correlation between
skin collagen loss and estrogen deficiency at
menopause.1
Skin aging, especially in the
face, is
associated with a progressive increase in
sagging tissues and a reduction in elasticity.
With advancing age, the skin becomes more
fragile and susceptible to trauma, leading to
more lacerations and bruising.1
In menopausal and postmenopausal women, estrogen
administration increases collagen content,
dermal thickness and elasticity, while
decreasing aging dry skin.1,4
It is difficult to imagine aging women
maintaining young looking skin in the absence of
estrogen.
Estrogens exert significant effects on skin
physiology by modulating the effects of key
epidermal and dermal cells.2
In fact, the skin is an important
estrogen-responsive endocrine tissue.3
Without the growth-promoting effects of
estrogen, the skin literally withers away. The
very thin skin observed in the elderly can be
directly correlated to lack of estrogens needed
to generate collagen and maintain skin
thickness.3
Using Estrogen to Rejuvenate Your Skin
Topical estrogen application has been shown
to be safe and effective in preventing skin
aging. In a study published in February 2007, a
group of women who were already taking oral
estrogen drugs were given a topical 0.01%
estrogen cream. After only four months, both
dermal and epidermal thickness was enhanced, as
well as dermal collagen levels. This study
showed that topical estrogen application
provided rapid and definitive anti-aging effects
even in women who had high systemic estrogen
blood levels.4
The significance of this study is that it shows
how quickly a small amount of estrogen delivered
directly into the skin induces profound
anti-aging effects.
A number of studies have investigated the
beneficial role that estrogens, especially
estriol, play in maintaining skin firmness,
elasticity, moisture content, and wound healing
in postmenopausal women.
Topically Delivered Estriol
Estriol is a weak estrogen when systemically
administered, but it can induce potent
anti-aging effects as a topical treatment. A
six-month study of peri- and postmenopausal
women was conducted at the University of Vienna
in Austria comparing the topical application of
estriol and estradiol creams. The doctors found
that skin symptoms of aging improved, and that
those treated with estriol obtained superior
results, with no systemic hormonal side effects
noted.5
Scientists have developed topical creams to
nourish the skin with estriol without subjecting
users to the potential dangers of therapies
containing more potent forms of estrogen.6,7
Derived from plants, estriol is a weak
estrogen, so it does not need to be
counterbalanced by progesterone and it does not
have a systemic effect on the body. There is
evidence that estriol, the so-called “good
estrogen,” may inhibit some of the unwanted
effects of estradiol by binding preferentially
to estrogen receptor-beta.13
Edward Lichten, MD, author of the
Textbook of Bio-Identical Hormones reports
that no estriol was detected in blood measures
of test subjects who used a topical estriol
cream.14
Dr. John R. Lee, author of books like
What Your Doctor May Not Tell You about
Menopause,8,9
concurred that estriol applied to the skin
reverses wrinkling and should be an essential
part of the anti-aging skin regimen. The
Harvard-trained physician also wrote that
estriol is the safest natural estrogen.
In a review of 45 scientific studies
published in Alternative Medicine Review,10
estriol was found to be an effective and safe
treatment with fewer side effects than
traditional hormone-replacement therapy.15
Postmenopausal patients showed improved
elasticity in the skin, while a study that
included men and women with acne-damaged skin
showed 100% improvement in repair of scarred
tissue after three months of twice-weekly
treatments.10
New
Estriol-Based Face
Solution
Dr. Edward Lichten and his wife Carolynne, a
biochemist, have created a
new
face
solution
that has been shown to help combat many of the
visible effects of aging. It combines estriol
with 15 other ingredients to help lock in
moisture and improve skin radiance, tighten the
texture of the skin, enhance collagen and
elastin, while reducing wrinkles and fine lines.16
The objective was to develop an affordable
face
solution
that included the latest anti-aging ingredients
from around the globe. After the product had
been developed, a scientific analysis was
conducted to determine its effectiveness and
confirm its safety. Twenty women with mild
crow’s feet, rough-textured skin, and moderate
skin tone with some blotching and imperfections
used the product on only one side of their
faces over
a six-week period. Skin quality was evaluated
before and after the test period using three
laboratory devices. The Cutometer® was used to
measure skin elasticity, a Corneometer® was used
to evaluate skin moisture, and a Chromameter® to
evaluate skin pigmentation.16
Patients as well as their physicians and the
scientists conducting the tests provided
subjective evaluations to complement the
scientific measurements collected. All of the
subjects reported that their skin texture was
smoother and that the quality of their skin had
improved, while 90% and 80% said that the
moisture content and elasticity of their skin
had increased, respectively, giving them a
healthier and younger-looking appearance.
Clinical assessments showed a baseline
improvement of 19% increase in elasticity and 9%
increase in moisture in the skin after just one
week.16
Test subjects reported very satisfying
results. “I saw an extremely noticeable change
in my skin and overall appearance,” reported one
subject. Other comments included a decrease in
skin imperfections and discoloration; lessening
of fine lines, wrinkles and crow’s feet; skin
feeling more hydrated and firmer—better. Of the
test subjects, 80% recommended the
solution to
their friends.16
The “Other” Ingredients in This
New
Face
Solution
In addition to estriol, some of the other
ingredients in this
new
face
solution
include those only found in the most expensive
cosmetic products. One of these interesting
new
substances is an instant anti-wrinkle compound
known as SYN®-AKE.
This synthetic tripeptide is based on the
venom of the Temple Viper snake, and is making
headlines for its ability to smooth small
wrinkles for a short period of time.17
SYN®-AKE contains collagen stimulators and is
rich in antioxidants. SYN®-AKE is serving as the
Botox® solution
for the Hollywood crowd. That’s because actors
who may be called upon to exhibit their facial
expressions in their line of work cannot run the
risk of extended paralysis of facial muscles
that Botox® causes. SYN®-AKE itself sells for
$185 an ounce, but is included in this
new
face
solution
that sells for only a fraction of this price.
Proteins to Stimulate Collagen Production
While estriol instructs cells to produce
collagen, specialized proteins provide the raw
materials needed for collagen itself to be made.
This new
face
solution
contains a skin-contouring hydrolyzed vegetable
protein called Peptireline-SC™, which has been
proven to stimulate collagen type I and IV
formation along with elastin. Peptireline®
contains special proteins that diminish wrinkles
by enhancing the cohesion of the outer cellular
matrix layer of the skin and maintaining the
packed state of epidermal lipids.
Reduce Wrinkles… Protect Against
New Ones
Forming
Argireline® is a revolutionary
new
hexapeptide that reduces the depth of wrinkles
caused by repeated facial movements. It has also
demonstrated effective protection against the
formation of new
wrinkles.18,19
Silanetriol is a pure marine collagen serum that
tightens skin with immediate results as well as
providing long-term benefits in strengthening
connective tissue. “These marine peptides are
the same ingredients that can be found in some
of the most expensive cosmetic products,” says
Dr. Lichten.
Restoring Youthful Moisture
This new
face
solution
incorporates several substances known for their
hydrating qualities. Restructured pure water is
used, which is scientifically broken into
micro-clusters for better hydration and
absorption and which prevents the infiltration
of toxic metals and trace substances. Hyaluronic
acid forms a visco-elastic surface film that
holds moisture against the skin.20
By increasing water retention, it serves as an
excellent skin lubricant and skin-swelling
agent, filling in lines and wrinkles.
Increasing Skin Cell Energy Metabolism
An algae extract called PEPHA®-CTIVE is
another marine peptide that acts as a skin
energy generator to restore stressed skin,
enhancing radiance with a healthy glow. Studies
demonstrated that 80% of treated subjects have
improved luminosity and transparency after four
weeks and 70% of subjects describe their
complexion as more fresh and radiant.21
Improving Micro-Capillary Circulation
Regu®-Age is a hydrolyzed rice bran protein
that reduced dark circles by 35% in an
eight-week test and puffiness around the eyes by
31%. Skin texture was improved by 42% with Regu®-Age,
which also improves microcirculation and
strengthens natural collagen and elastin while
protecting skin from free radicals.22
Fatty Acids Increase Hyaluronic Acid and
Collagen Type IV
Matrixyl™ 3000 (palmitoyl tetrapeptide-3) is
a lipo-peptide, a fatty acid mixed with amino
acids, shown to increase overall collagen
synthesis by up to 117% and collagen IV
synthesis by up to 327%.23
It stimulates the lower layers of the skin to
heal and diminish the appearance of wrinkles. It
also increases hyaluronic acid synthesis by up
to 267%, restoring the skin layer by layer.23
Matrixyl™ 3000 cuts deep wrinkles in half in
treated subjects, who showed noticeably younger
looking skin within two weeks.23
Another algae extract called PEPHA®-TIGHT is
a skin-tightening agent that provides an instant
effect as well as long-term firming and
strengthening of skin tissue. PEPHA®-TIGHT
stimulates collagen formation and protects skin
from oxidative stress. Test subjects reported
immediate effectiveness and continued
satisfaction with results after just two weeks.24
Stimulating Skin Cell Renewal
The new
face
solution
also contains an amino acid-rich glucosamine
complex, which increases cell regeneration,
helping to control wrinkles and to stimulate
collagen production. A four-week test found a
56% reduction of lines and wrinkles and an 84%
increase in exfoliated cells.
Classic Anti-Aging Skin Nutrients
In addition to estriol and other novel
anti-aging compounds, this
new
face
solution
contains nutrients that were long ago shown to
have definitive skin-rejuvenating properties.
These include vitamins A, C, and E liposome
micronized with powerful antioxidants and white
tea extract, another free radical-zapping
antioxidant with protective polyphenols.
In addition, micronized
dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is also included,
which is readily absorbed into the skin and
helps protect the integrity of skin blood
vessels so they do not break and cause unsightly
patterns near the skin’s surface.
DHEA is known to maintain the health of skin
tone and moisture and to protect from the
effects of sunlight. It also inhibits collagen
degradation and increases procollagen synthesis,
thus counteracting the characteristic saggy,
wrinkled appearance associated with
hormone-related skin aging.25
Sun-protection ingredients like titanium
dioxide are also included in the
solution.
No Need to Appear as Old as You May be
Normal aging inflicts a devastating toll on
the skin. While past generations had little
choice than to accept relentless deterioration
of their outer appearance,
new
scientific findings reveal proven methods of
circumventing and reversing signs of age-related
skin degeneration.
By replenishing the skin’s estrogen alone,
remarkable age-reversal effects have been
demonstrated in independent scientific studies.
Aging humans today have access to far greater
technologies to combat sagging, wrinkling,
dryness, thinning, uneven pigmentation, and
enlarged pores than ever before.
We are fortunate to live in a time when we
don’t have to just sit by and accept these
inevitable consequences of aging.
If you have any questions on the scientific
content of this article, please call a Life
Extension Health Advisor at 1-800-226-2370.
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