These two forces of nature cause the hands of our aging clock to march forward! Our genes generally
determine our lifespan and our appearance, but our environment determines how gracefully or ungracefully aging effects our appearance. The term "environmental aging" is the label we apply to the damage our skin cells accumulate over time in the face of constant exposure to the harsh environment we live in.
All forms of environmental stress have one common pathway of damage - oxidative stress!
Oxidative stress is damage caused to cells from the build-up of toxic reactive oxygen molecules, most notably free radicals - the fundamental cause of premature skin aging.
The source of oxidative stress may be EXTERNAL from our environment - sunlight, air pollution, cigarette smoke, ozone, even oxygen itself! (or) INTERNAL from our own everyday metabolism - the production of cellular energy by mitochondria (the cellular energy plant) produces toxic by-products on a continuous basis.
Free radicals cause damage to cell structures like the mitochondria and cell membranes and also damage to vital cellular molecules including lipids, proteins and DNA.
The accumulation of this damage on a cellular level in the skin is expressed visibly in our appearance as the outward signs of aging: fine lines, wrinkles, uneven skin tones, and loss of skin elasticity. |
