How Your Skin Ages - by Dr. Tomasello

  As you transition from your early twenties into your fifties, your face lets you know. There are many factors that contribute to aging skin on our faces. These can be easily identified. The good news is that the list of anti-aging skin care ingredients and procedures continues to grow and become more accessible to everyone.

20 years ago, most people felt visiting the cosmetic surgeon was the only option for aging skin. Indeed it was. Granted, cosmetic surgeons can make amazing surgical changes to your face to shed 5-10 years (or more) off. Many of these surgeons also employ non-surgical options which are cost effective and bring beautiful and youthful results. For good reason, medical aesthetics has a rock-solid presence the anti-aging realm.

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Aging Skin and your Face:

Age 20-29

Largely, this is the ‘life is good’ decade. In the epidermis your skin is cranking out new, fresh and vibrant cells at a beautiful clip. Most women in their early 20s don’t have an skin aging worry in the world. The rate of cell turnover of new cells being formed at the basal layer of the epidermis to the top (stratum corneum) layer is 24-28 days. This means the appearance of fine lines or wrinkles is rare. With a little regular exfoliation and some moisturizing this skin surface remains smooth and gorgeous. In the dermis, there is plenty of collagen and elastin to support the epidermis. Soaking up UV rays elicits a quick response from vibrant melanocytes revealing a smooth and lovely tan. The moisture level in the skin is optimal as is the subcutaneous fat layer (below the dermis). This all helps to keep the skin plump and full.

Age 30-39

Life is still pretty good but signs of aging skin begin to arrive. That excessive sunbathing from earlier years rears its ugly head. About 25% of your lifetime sun exposure occurs by age 18. This exposure is cumulative and now you have had 30+ years of it. The melanin begins to form clumps and is now distributed less evenly.  Ultimately age spots and other areas of increased skin pigment in the epidermis occur. Women who have had a lot of UV exposure, had become pregnant or used birth control are at an increased risk to develop melasma.  UV exposure increases the presence of collagenase, an enzyme that breaks down collagen.  You are ten years older now with another decade of the cumulative effects of free radical exposure. These come from UV rays, your diet, dust, smoking, allergens, heat, cold and pollution.  The skin has less moisture and while new vibrant epidermal cells are continually coming to the surface as they did in your 20s, this rate has slowed a bit. All these factors mean fine lines and wrinkles begin to appear as do inconsistencies in skin tone. Broken blood vessels show up. It is during this decade that most women come in to see the aesthetician or medical aesthetic doctor to begin an anti-aging plan. In fact, in a survey of 129 women at Dean Michael Aesthetics in 2010, the average age the first such appointment was 34.

Age 40-50

What is happening here? Gravity is no friend of beauty at any age, but in your 40s it seems like some new G-force pointing south is taking over.

Going out for a few cocktails and forgot your ID? No problem as nobody is asking for it.

Now the rubber has clearly hit the road. Everything that you disliked about your appearance in your 30s has now done nothing but worsen. At age 49, I am speaking from experience. Women in their late forties or early fifties get to deal with menopause as well. So what is happening to your skin now? The epidermis is becoming thinner and drier. The blood flow from the dermis that supplies oxygen and nutrients to the skin is less brisk. The rate of turnover of new and vibrant cells from the basal layer to the top epidermal layer continues to slow.  The skin has less collagen, elastin and subdermal fat. All these factors mean that the architecture supporting the epidermis has weakened. The skin is more prone to have fine lines, wrinkles and the dreaded ‘loose skin.”

Age 50+

The reduction of estrogen seen after menopause hits your skin hard.

1. The epidermis becomes thinner and drier.
2. Blood flow to the dermis becomes sluggish. This results in a reduction in oxygen and nutrient delivery.
3. The repair of collagen and elastin slows down = less collagen in the dermis.
4. A further decrease in subcutaneous fat.
5. There is less protective melanin making your skin more prone to sun damage. This is most noticeable in the face, neck and hands.

I suspect reading this paints a mighty bleak picture … but fear not.

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If your face shows aging skin, it is not nearly as bad as you think. Anti-aging is the key to reversal. You just need a simple and consistent approach.

In my forthcoming book “Winning Skin,” I discuss how you simply and effectively reverse these changes. As a quick summary:

Category 1 – The Epidermis – You get rid of dead skin cells, stimulate new cell growth and neutralize free radicals. This is done through use of the right skin care ingredients, exfoliation, certain procedures and dietary factors. These help your skin crank out new, fresh and vibrant cells like it did in your 20s. So yes… you CAN turn back the clock. Lasers and chemical peels can clear away unwanted pigment quickly and safely.

Category 2 – The Dermis – You need to stimulate fibroblasts to make more collagen and elastin and prevent free radicals from damaging the collagen you have. Again, this is through the right skin care ingredients and procedures. Putting the right dermal fillers in the right locations makes an incredible difference.

Category 3 – Moisture and UV protection – Hydrated skin is happy skin. Stripping of oils needs to be avoided and moisture needs to be returned to the skin topically as well as through adequate dietary hydration.  UV rays need to be blocked at all costs. More UV rays = more free radicals in both the dermis and epidermis.

You will quickly realize that shedding a decade off of your appearance is really not as difficult as it may seem. However, it is important to remember that the right ingredients are necessary to effectively bring the results you desire. The right procedures take your anti-aging plan to a new level. Do your homework and make sure your provider is well trained and experienced before you let them lay a finger on your face!

Be good to your skin and be well,

Dean M. Tomasello, MD

Botox and Skin -by Dr. Tomasello

  What possibly could Botox Cosmetic and a 1970s action figure have in common? I realize the picture is a bit absurd, but I wanted to get your attention and frankly, it’s quite fitting based on a recent study I reviewed. Botox does indeed make  your skin more elastic. I had to read this article a few times before really wrapping my head around it.

The study appears in the May 21, 2015  JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery  by Dr. James Bonaparte, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon and assistant professor at the University of Ottawa in Canada. His study showed that Botox Cosmetic made the skin more strong, pliable and elastic.

“Skin Pliability is the ability of the skin to stretch and Skin Elasticity is the ability of the skin to recoil”

Many of the medical aesthetic treatments we use such as chemical peels, microneedling. cosmetic laser treatments (IPL / Fraxel), microdermabrasion and dermal fillers will stimulate fibroblasts to make more collagen and elastin. By doing this we improve youthful skin features; strength, pliability, and elasticity. SoStretch Armstrong is meant to signify those three youthful skin features. As people age, these properties change along with a loss of skin elasticity and pliability due largely to a loss of collagen and elastin.

Dr. James Bonaparte stated, “We found if we treat people with Botox using standard techniques, we see an increase in elasticity, which is what you’d see in people with more youthful skin … We’re actually seeing evidence that we, for some reason, are getting more elastin and collagen in the skin.”

It kind of makes sense. In this study the muscles of the brow and lateral orbital rhytids (crow’s feet) were treated. These muscles, when they are moving, are continually pulling on the skin which has the tendency to put strain on collagen and elastin fibers. I think of it, in the simplest terms, like continually pulling on a rubber band (I know this is an oversimplification but bear with me here). So reduction of muscle movement would, from a physics and physiology standpoint, perhaps make sense.

Most experts agree with this premise but go a step further. Fibroblasts make collagen and elastin. Dr. Bonaparte believes that improved pliability and elasticity of the skin may also be related to a receptor in these fibroblasts (or in the collagen itself) that somehow responds to Botox.

The downside of the study is the size of it. Dr. Bonaparte and colleagues gave 48 women (43 finished the study), average age of 55, their first ever Botox injections. He treated the brow and lateral orbital rhytids. He then followed them for four months to see how the injections affected the skin.

Botox study findings were:

1. They found that Botox increased the stretch and elastic recoil of the women’s faces mimicking younger skin.
2. They felt the effect was similar to what was seen with radiofrequency skin tightening, an aesthetic procedure that uses radio waves to heat the dermis causing an increase in collagen and elastin.
3. The tightening and firming features were not a by-product of inflammation or swelling caused by the injections themselves.
4. The effect lasted about four months. This is typical of how long Botox would last particularly in someone who has never received an injection before.

A difference of opinion:

Some experts felt the paralysis of the muscles caused by Botox simply gives the collagen and elastin a chance to recover from repetitive muscle movement. Others feel as though the Botox injection itself may somehow, due to a property of the toxin itself, stimulate fibroblasts to make collagen and elastin. This is an interesting theory as according to Dr. Bonaparte, “we may be able to develop some medications that don’t require injection that you can apply topically and get the same skin rejuvenation as Botox.” Other experts feel that repetitive muscle movements create waste products and that Botox may actually have an antioxidant effect.

My Verdict:

My feeling is that the effect that Botox has on the improved pliability and elasticity of the skin is likely related to the ability of the muscles to ‘rest’ thereby giving the collagen and elastin a chance to rest, relax and strengthen. Secondly, the actual injection itself may stimulate fibroblasts, similiar to what one may see with injection of dermal fillers or a procedure like micro-needling or radiofrequency skin tightening.

I am not thrilled with a study of 42 women but it is a start. I give the authors of this study high praise for thinking about Botox in a whole new way in terms of what it may be doing ‘behind the scenes.’ My gut feeling is that while this study was done using Botox Cosmetic, I would be quite surprised if Dysport and/orXeomin did not show nearly identical results.

You can review the entire details of the study here

Be Well,

Dean M. Tomasello, MD

Botox Cosmetic - by Dr. Tomasello

  In 2002 the world of cosmetic medicine changed forever with the introduction of Botox Cosmetic. Botox is a neurotoxin (also referred to as a neuromodulator). The toxin itself (botulinum toxin) is produced by the bacteria Clostridium botulinum. Botox binds reversibly to the nerve. Nerves innervate muscle. By blocking the nerve, the movement of the muscle is temporarily blocked.

Your face has 43 muscles of variable sizes. When these muscles repeatedly contract tens of thousands of times each year, they literally squeeze the collagen-containing dermis until fine lines and wrinkles begin to appear, and deepen. Botox blocks nerve impulses thereby preventing movement of facial muscles in injected areas. In doing so, these fine lines, wrinkles and furrows in the brow, forehead and around the eyes begin to soften. The collagen and elastin fibers can relax, stretch out and smoothen. A common myth is that Botox treats wrinkles. This is true in part, but it has more to do with direct effects to the nerve, which relaxes the muscle thereby softening the wrinkles present.

Pliability and Elasticity 

Skin Pliability is the ability of the skin to stretch and skin elasticity is the ability of the skin to recoil. Many of the medical aesthetic treatments we use such as chemical peels, microneedling. cosmetic laser treatments (IPL/Fraxel), microdermabrasion and dermal fillers will stimulate fibroblasts to make more collagen and elastin. By doing this we improve youthful skin features; strength, pliability, and elasticity. The repeated contraction of facial muscles has an adverse effect on the elasticity and pliability of the skin. The main reason for this is largely a loss of collagen and elastin.

In a 2015 study in JAMA Facial Plastic Surgery, Dr. James Bonaparte revealed that the use of Botox Cosmetic made the skin more pliable and elastic. He noted, “We found if we treat people with Botox using standard techniques, we see an increase in elasticity, which is what you’d see in people with more youthful skin … We’re actually seeing evidence that we, for some reason, are getting more elastin and collagen in the skin.”

It kind of makes sense. In this study the muscles of the brow and lateral orbital rhytids (crow’s feet) were treated. These muscles, when they are moving, are continually pulling on the skin and squeezing the dermis, putting strain on collagen and elastin fibers. Most experts agree with this premise but go a step further. Fibroblasts make collagen and elastin. I agree with Dr. Bonaparte who believes that improved pliability and elasticity of the skin may also be related to a receptor in these fibroblasts (or in the collagen itself) that somehow responds to Botox.

Botox Cosmetic study findings were:

1. They found that Botox Cosmetic increased the stretch and elastic recoil of the women’s faces studied. This effect mimicked younger skin.
2. They felt the effect was similar to what was seen with radiofrequency skin tightening, an aesthetic procedure that uses radio waves to heat the dermis causing an increase in collagen and elastin.
3. The tightening and firming features were not a by-product of inflammation or swelling caused by the injections themselves.
4. The effect lasted about four months.

A difference of opinion:

Some experts felt the paralysis of the muscles caused by Botox simply gives the collagen and elastin a chance to recover from repetitive muscle movement. Others feel as though the Botox injection itself may somehow, due to a property of the toxin itself, stimulated fibroblasts to make collagen and elastin. This is an interesting theory as according to Dr. Bonaparte, “we may be able to develop some medications that don’t require injection that you can apply topically and get the same skin rejuvenation effects as Botox.” Other experts feel that repetitive muscle movements create waste products upon which Botox may actually have an antioxidant effect. It has become evident that peptides, in particular neuropeptides are at the forefront of the discussion of topical ways to achieve results similar to Botox, without the use of a needle.

My feeling is that the effect that Botox has on the improved pliability and elasticity of the skin is likely related to the ability of the muscles to ‘rest’ thereby giving the collagen and elastin a chance to relax and strengthen. Secondly, the actual injection itself may stimulate fibroblasts; similar to what one may see with injection of dermal fillers, micro-needling or radiofrequency skin tightening.

Botox’s array of uses extends beyond simple paralysis of facial muscles. If injected in specific locations it can raise the eyebrows or corners of the mouth. It can also treat ‘smoker’s lines’ around the mouth and wrinkles in the chin and neck.

Botox Cosmetic can also be used to reduce excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis) under the arms. In fact, Botox has been shown to result in an 82-87% decrease in sweating. Similar to how Botox blocks the nerves innervating facial muscles, it also blocks the action of sweat glands. Results here may last much longer. In many cases it has been shown to last at least 6 months.

Getting Botox Cosmetic

Botox has reigned supreme in the medical aesthetic world as the #1 sought after and administered treatment. With beauty so very important and Botox as a means to get there the plan should be simple correct? Just go and get Botox. Not so fast.

Back in 2005, I had a great deal of experience with skin care and as a physician. I had been a doctor for 12 years. If I wanted to, I could order a vial of Botox and inject whomever I wanted, with absolutely no training. The fact that I had an MD after my name was all that was really needed. I certainly didn’t do that. I studied facial muscles in more depth, attended ‘hands-on” seminars and then shadowed an experienced plastic surgeon for three months. Only after that time was I ready to administer Botox on real patients (under his supervision). I studied and made drawings of each facial muscle and what each would do if injected.

My point is that many practitioners with little training are injecting. True, finding somewhere to get Botox is not difficult. Finding someone trained well and experienced with neurotoxin injections, is another story. The best providers have both a deep understanding of facial anatomy, experience and an aesthetic eye for what is the best treatment approach. Your best bet is to stay away a new medi-spa with a deep Botox discount. These are a hot bed for poorly trained injectors out to make a quick buck. Word of mouth is a great avenue to some assurances that the person injecting is qualified. There is also nothing wrong with asking for certifications or licenses.

Along the same lines, many people are very hesitant to getting Botox for fear that their face will become ‘frozen’ appearing. Celebrities are notorious for having too much Botox and ending up with a ‘frozen face.’ Many will see frozen face images in a magazine and swear off Botox for life. In order to achieve the best result, it is both the location and quantity of neurotoxin administered. Over-Botox is not pretty and will last for many months. Make it clear that you want changes to be subtle. In medical aesthetics, less is more. The object is to enhance your beauty and reverse changes that have come through time.

There is no definitive age as to when to come in for a Botox treatment. I have treated women from age 21-70+. Certainly when wrinkles appear, Botox can be helpful. The best results are seen with those who choose to have Botox when visits are spaced every 4 months. This way, one has a continued smoothening of wrinkles with little or no recurrence. Genetics certainly plays a powerful role in who gets wrinkles where and when. I have no problem treating younger patients as women in their 20s quite commonly have very pronounced brow and forehead wrinkles while other women in their 40s are relatively smooth.

Understanding Botox Cosmetic is important to having a beautiful result if this indeed is a medical aesthetic procedure you wish to pursue.

Thank you for reading and be well,

Dean M. Tomasello, MD

Think Young and Beautiful Now by Dr. Tomasello

When Michelangelo was asked about a woman he painted in the Sistene Chapel, he stated she was “worthy of admiration simply because she exists; perfection and imperfection together.” These are sage words from a man who, 500 years later, continues to be admired for his depiction of both young and older beautiful women. It’s like a disease. Women stare into the mirror repeatedly analyzing every blemish, spot, discoloration, line, wrinkle, scar or other perceived imperfection. Feelings range from discomfort to helplessness to utter disgust. Many women who are beautiful unfortunately do not ‘see’ themselves as beautiful. I entered this profession to help people with this problem. Unfortunately, even with all the medical aesthetic procedures available, there are limitations. Despite strides we may make to enhance one’s personal beauty … perceived imperfections may remain.

Do you feel young and beautiful?

We have all heard ‘beauty is in the eye of the beholder.’ However, what if you are the beholder and you don’t see beauty in your reflection in the mirror?

Why do so many women struggle with this? Two points need to be stressed.

1. You are not necessarily to blame for being critical of your appearance … you have been programmed to be this way.
2. Give yourself a break. Odds are you are far more beautiful than you think.

Understandably, those delving into the realms of skin care and antiaging for the first time are sure to be overwhelmed. With ongoing research, new products and improved treatments available every year, even the savvy skin care expert may find it a challenge to keep up. While this book will explore every nuance to lookingyounger, the idea of feeling younger needs to be addressed at the outset. You see, there are countless ways to make you look younger. Feeling younger is another story. Sophia Lauren said it best when she noted:

“Nothing makes a woman more beautiful than the belief she is beautiful.”

I have dedicated the last 12 years of my professional life to helping people (primarily women) look more beautiful and presumably feel more beautiful. However, anyone involved in the medical aesthetics profession, from clinic manager to aesthetician to doctor knows that improving outer beauty does not equate to an inner feeling of beauty.

Why does one woman come in to the office, receive a simple treatment, check the mirror and say “beautiful” and walk out smiling while others struggle? Some are never satisfied with their appearance no matter how extensively or how frequently they receive treatments.

When you see a picture of a beautiful woman, don’t believe for a second they believe they are as beautiful as you think they are. In fact, my experience is that someone who is considered gorgeous by most, quite commonly is unable to see the beauty the rest of us see.

Our self-image develops through a complicated interplay between cultural ideas, life experiences, the media and accumulated comments by others. The end result is not necessarily a distortion of reality, it is ourreality. Studies have shown that a person’s eye is drawn to the eyes and nose of someone they meet or when viewing a picture of an unknown individual. If a young girl was teased about having a big nose, regardless of how beautiful she is as an adult, chances are she is going to check that nose when she looks in the mirror. She will focus on it more than most anyone else will.

Women who suffered through years of acne as a teen will understandably become unsettled with a new pimple. One woman is focused on a pimple and another focused on her nose. Largely it is human nature. My goal is certainly help you to look and feel younger. Point is, looking younger and feeling younger doesn’t always go hand in hand.  Changing one’s self –perception is very possible, in fact probable, if you first become aware of it.

When you meet someone, or look at a picture of them you are seeing a single moment in time. In their mind lies a culmination of every positive or negative comment received throughout their lifetime. Vanderbilt University psychologist, David Schlundt notes, “All of your experiences, all the teasing you went through as a child, all the self-consciousness you had as a teenager, and all the worrying about whether you would be accepted as good enough or attractive enough are called forth in how people think of themselves.”

Dr. Vivian Diller, a psychologist and past Wilhelmina model who treats X-dancers and models agrees, “Your upbringing and the criticisms you heard as a child set a strong foundation for your self-perception in adulthood.” Conversely, those who believe themselves to be beautiful may not be beautiful at all by society’s standards. Chances are, in the formative years they received a steady diet of positive feedback from friends and loved ones.

The point to remember is that everyone has beauty. However, the beauty you have is under attack. You are programmed to think you need to be more beautiful than you are. It is not your fault whatsoever. In order for you to feel beautiful about yourself, it is of paramount importance that you become aware of what it is around you that is literally attacking your sense of inner beauty.

The multi-billion dollar cosmetic, skin care and hair industries are well aware that many do not feel beautifulenough. This comes in many forms; the media, the corporate world and society in general.

Imagine opening up a copy of Cosmopolitan or Vogue magazine. There is an image of a woman poised to sell you a product or service. Let’s say it is an anti-aging moisturizer. She is blemish, wrinkle and age spot free with a radiant and glowing face. She will have a flat stomach, thin legs and her weight will be 25% less than the average weight of a US female. (For the record in the US = 5 Ft. 4 in and 166#). What is the message? Buy this product and look like her. We use the product and while it might help, most women are not going to look like ‘her’. Maybe you just need to buy more … or perhaps there is a more expensive option to look beautiful! The corporate world does not want you to feel completely satisfied with your looks. You are exposed to this repeatedly over and over until you literally become programmed into believing that you need to look better than you do.

Nobody goes to see a Star Wars movie and leaves worrying that Darth Vader is going to attack them in the parking lot. It’s fantasy. It’s not real.  The ads you see of perfect faces and bodies are, in many ways, fantasy as well. I know I will never be as handsome as George Clooney, Elvis, or Cary Grant, but I can make strides to move in that direction. Moving in the right direction is good. Expecting to fully get there along with the body of Michelangelo’s David, is setting me up for disappointment. I know that.  Try your best to know it too. Advertisements are just that, someone trying to sell you something. Realize it and absorb it. You don’t see these people in your typical day walking through the grocery store, mall or Walmart. If you did, you and everyone around you may do a double take.

In the 21^st century social media comes at us as well. Teenagers and young adults are exposed to a barrage of social media images that many of us were not when we were teens.  Facebook, Instagram, and  Twitter are part of our psyche and are chuck-full of more images for our youth (and adults) to look at and compare to. These platforms are perfect venues for women to show others how beautiful they are. Many are on the edge of their seat to see how many ‘likes’ they can get. This can help some feel beautiful, and others feel less beautiful.  National Institutes of Health researcher, Heather Patrick states, “We compare how we think we look to how other people look, and make a decision about whether we’re much better or much worse.”

When it comes to getting a job, beauty matters big-time. Whether the hiring manager admits to it or not is immaterial. In a study performed in St. Louis, researchers looked at perceived beauty vs. income. People perceived as ‘beautiful’ made 14% more than those perceived to be unattractive.

I began as a family physician where we are taught to treat the entire person. Many come to a doctor’s office or medical spa in an attempt to enhance their beauty or simply look younger. There is nothing wrong with this at all. Having the right skin care regimen or medical aesthetic procedures can make a world of difference. Unlike many skin care professionals, I do not stop there. Let’s take it a step further. After you have had a procedure or treatment to make your appearance more aesthetically pleasing, let’s look at how we can allow that outer beauty to seep inside.

Identify and replace negative inner dialogue:

Inner dialogue: During a typical day ask yourself four important questions:

1. What did I see or hear today that made me question my beauty?
2. What did you saying to yourself?
3. What feelings arose in you? Are you happy? Angry? Disappointed? Anxious?
4. How often are you saying it?

The Young and Beautiful Replacement: 

If that inner dialogue is telling you things like “I am not pretty enough” or “I will never be as beautiful as _____,” replace it with something positive. This may seem trite or silly (I thought it was the first time I tried it) but study after study as shown that what we tell ourselves has an immense impact on many aspects of our life. It improves posture, sleep, productivity and reduces fear and anxiety.

As yourself: “What is good about you? Are you a good friend? Devoted mother? Valued employee?” And … “What do you like about your appearance?” Beauty may be in the eye of the beholder but if the beholder is you and you don’t like what you see in the mirror, we need to change something. The best results are changes to the outside and inside.

Never underestimate how powerful this inner dialogue can be. We are talking about beauty here, however women (and men) have had an inner dialogue that convinced them to stay in an abusive relationship and have died in many cases because of it. Heavy duty stuff for sure but it makes my point of how powerful our inner dialogue is.

My suggestion is that when this nasty inner dialogue tries to take a hold of your psyche, identify it and replace it with something … anything positive. It is like throwing water on a tiny fire before it gains momentum and literally burns up your self-image. You are beautiful … don’t forget it.

Thank you for reading and be well … and beautiful.

Dean M. Tomasello, MD

Alpha Lipoic Acid and Beautiful Skin - by Dr. Tomasello

Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is a sulfur containing organic compound that can be taken both orally or applied topically (to the skin). Alpha lipoic acid is a completely natural substance that is present in all of our cells. It is a very important ingredient in skin care due to the multitude of good deeds it does to help our skin look younger and more vibrant.

Alpha Lipoic Acid is a powerful antioxidant

Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) was discovered in 1951 as an essential ingredient of the mitochondria (powerhouse) of cells. Initial research showed that when additional alpha lipoic acid was made available to cells, it would quickly enter the cells and function as a powerful antioxidant. The beauty of ALA is that in addition to its own antioxidant power, it enhances the antioxidant effects of vitamins C and E. ALA has been called a ‘universal’ antioxidant due to the fact that it is both lipid and water soluble. This is important because it means that ALA is capable of exerting its antioxidant effects both inside the cell as well as between cells. Much of the free radical damage occurs on the surface of the cell (cell membrane) as well as between cells. ALA, being present throughout these areas is able to exert an antioxidant effect far superior to many other antioxidants.

Fighting Inflammation

Skin inflammation causes skin damage and plays an important part in the formation of lines and wrinkles. In addition to the antioxidant effects, ALA prevents the production of cytokines; key substances seen with inflammation. ALA also has the ability to prevent certain messenger cells associated with production of inflammatory enzymes known to harm the cell or even collagen. Therefore, through multiple pathways, ALA not only prevents inflammation but also has the ability to prevent many of the precursors to inflammatory cells.

Boosting Metabolism

Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) has the ability to affect metabolism in the cell as well. ALA is normally found in the mitochondria of the cell (the cells powerhouse that determines the metabolic rate of the cell). ALA gives a boost to the metabolic rate of the cell which is of utmost importance in anti-aging. Through improvements in the energy levels of the cell, ALA helps the cell more quickly absorb nutrients, remove waste and repair damage.

Sugar and your Skin

Sugar (glucose) is necessary for our cells to stay alive and function normally. However, excess sugar in our skin cells interacts with collagen to cause the development of cross-links which makes collagen inelastic and inflexible. This cross-linking of collagen leads to the formation of wrinkles. Collagen is a protein and when sugar attaches to it (a process known as glycosylation) cross-linking and stiffness of collagen result. Here ALA comes to the rescue once again. Through prevention of glycosylation, ALA has the ability to keep the sugar molecules from attaching to collagen (protein) thus allowing the collagen to remain smooth and elastic.

Alpha Lipoic Acid Uses

Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) has been successfully used as part of a treatment plan for Rosacea. It helps to improve skin texture and tone and helps fade fine lines and wrinkles. Puffiness under the eyes or enlarged pores respond quite well to treatment with ALA. I have found that the use of ALA seems to show the greatest improvement for those with a very dull complexion.

Author: Dean M. Tomasello, MD

Source: www.clearskinmd.net