Transcript:

Host 1: So what do you think about glycolic acid for an anti-aging type treatment?

Host 2: I love it. I think it is a great maintenance. I think it is essential, especially as you get into… Even starting at 25 when that collagen perception starts to slow down, keeping the skin smooth, keeping the surface clean and regenerating itself.

I love the combinations. I love the glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic. I like them when they are kind of blended together and you get the benefits of all three wonderful little acids.

Host 1: Glycolic acid can come in different percentages and you can find a lot of glycolic acid products in drugstores or…

Host 2: They are everywhere now.

Host 1: But usually what you are getting is a lower percentage of the glycolic Acid, because they don’t want you taking a very strong glycolic Acid and…

Host 2: Peeling your face!

[crosstalk]

Host 1: That is why when you go to an estheticians or a dermatologist, they know how long to leave it on for.

Host 3: Hopefully.

Host 1: Well hopefully, and the percentage to use for your particular skin type or your particular problem. But you can find some glycolic acid treatments that work really well. You might take a little bit longer to see results because you are not dealing with the higher percentage of concentration of the glycolic acid.

Host 3: But you want to see results over an extended amount of time, and that is the whole, I think, impetus. It’s prevention. It’s reversing. It’s not going to happen overnight and we all want it to happen overnight. “I don’t like this spot. Get it off.”

Host 1: Well yeah, and a lot of people use products and they go, “Well I am using it, but it didn’t work!” But you have to be consistent. You have to be patient.

Host 2: You can’t sleep with your makeup on and expect the Retin-A to work! [laughs]

And I think, going back to glycolics and alpha-hydroxys, when the first introduced it, it was high percentages and peel, peel, peel. I think it’s important for consumers to realize that it is something that is better left on the skin. So using it in a wash is not going to be the most effective way to…

Host 3: They just rinse it right off.

Host 2: It just comes right off so quickly. Salicylic acid in a wash, I do like for acne care.

Host 3: But again, not for expecting mothers.

Host 2: Right. And with the glycolics and alpha-hydroxys, to have them left on the skin in a serum form I think is a nice benefit.

Host 3: Toners, as well, are really nice way to mildly exfoliate the skin and establish that PH balance and prep it for what is next.

You know, I really like what you were saying about vitamin A’s at night. I really like to do kind of, if you are going to peel your skin, if you are going to do this exfoliation, do it at night! And then during the day…

Host 2: Protect.

Host 3: Protect.

Host 2: And soothe. Absolutely.

Host 3: Because our skin is regenerating itself at night. That is when most beneficial… You are going to see the best benefits from a product.

Host 2: Right. Absolutely.

Host 1: Well, and then the glycolic acid works more on the upper layers of the skin. And when you use a retinol type product that is working it deeper into the skin.

Host 2: And it is such a beautiful combination to use the two together.

Host 3: Absolutely. Swab off the exterior, work from the interior out.

Host 1: So what the Retinol is actually doing underneath the skin is regenerating healthy skin cell growth, right? So that will help plump your skin and give it back some of its vitality and elasticity.

Host 3: Lactic acid, I found, is really fun for people who want a quick peel and want to walk out looking gorgeous.

Host 2: It is very gentle. Great for Rosacea.

Host 3: Absolutely. It’s milk!

Host 2: Rosacea clients. For people that are more sensitive, lactic is phenomenal.

Host 3: Apparently Cleopatra use to bathe in milk and she had gorgeous skin.

Host 1: So what would you recommend? A treatment like once a week with lactic acid if you just want your skin to glow and have that…

Host 2: I don’t… Maybe once a week I would say enzymes. Something at home, enzymes. If you are going to see your esthetician in her practice, in his practice, lactic acid. I don’t know about once a week, though. I think that presets into that thought, like, “Peel it, peel it, peel it,” instead of four to six weeks, getting into the cycle of skin.

Host 1: Right. Absolutely. You can overdo it.

[crosstalk]

[laughter]

Host 2: What will happen next? Yeah, excellent. I think another thing that is newer on the market, well the last few years, are peptides. I don’t know your experience with peptides.

But peptides, for consumers, are little protein molecules that basically speak the same language as the cells. So if your skin cells need to produce more collagen or elastin, there are specific peptide molecules that tell your skin cells to do that.

And so it supports the inhibition or not breaking down of elastin and collagen and helps to stimulate new collagen and elastin growth.

Host 3: Which is the matrix that gives our skin the strength that it needs.

Host 2: … support. So if you think of it as… I think matrix is the best way and most people can understand what a matrix system is. But as we get older, the skin cells break down. Collagen breaks down. And when collagen breaks down you get a wrinkle. When elastin breaks down you get the sagging of the skin.

So both of those ingredients, or both of those structures, are needed to be in place to have nice smooth, young looking skin.

I think peptides coming on the marketplace is one of the most exciting things, because we can actually go in and help repair and prevent that breakdown. I have had clients that have had beautiful results with the peptides.

Host 1: And even with the skin sagging…

[crosstalk]

Host 1: Yeah, because it is different. The wrinkling is kind of different than what happens when your skin starts sagging.

Host 2: Right. You can have perfectly smooth skin, but it is sagging.

Host 1: Yeah. You have lost elasticity here, I mean let’s all stand up! But, you know. It happens.

Host 2: It does.

Host 1: People think that wrinkles are the first things that really happen to your skin, that you will see the aging occur, but it is actually the sagging of it.

Host 3: You have lost elasticity.

Host 1: And that is what we were talking about earlier, was that DEMA, which is… Have you used that in your salon?

Host 2: I have used it here and there, yes, a little bit. I still go back to those peptides because I am not as familiar, and the stability I still kind of question a little bit.

Host 1: It is new. They are still doing research on it and they are still trying to figure out really why…

Host 2: Why it works; how it works Yeah.

Host 1: So it hasn’t been studied really in depth, but you can find it in products and people have had good results. And we found out it is derived from fish, right?

Host 3: It is a naturally occurring protein in salmon and sardines.

Host 2: Well, and it is excellent to take internally.

Host 3: That is exactly right. And all this excitement about fish oils… We are what we eat, so putting it in internally.

Host 2: Absolutely.

Host 3: And then Paragon has put it on the market in his product, in his serum. And we also learned that if you are working with DEMA, it needs to be stabilized with vitamin C in order for those two to interact.

Host 2: OK. Makes sense. And I think I really see a difference in people’s skin when they are taking it internally. Virgin coconut oil is another great addition to the diet. Just put it in a shake, protein shake, or what have you.

Host 3: Put it on your toast.

Host 2: Oh, it is great! You can cook with it! And really whole body hydration. I notice than when people are feeling dry and they make that addition…

Host 3: And you smell delicious!

[laughter]

Host 2: You do! Who doesn’t love coconut?

[laughter]

Transcript:

Host 1: Hi. Welcome to today’s talk with Diva Skincare. Today we are going to be talking about anti-aging and aging of the skin. How does it happen?

I think the first thing that is really important to know is that aging happens in the skin because of inflammation. There is a process that is called the inflammation cascade that is responsible for aging throughout the entire body.

You have probably heard of free radicals. Free radicals are produced as a result of that inflammation cascade, and they actually go in and damage healthy tissue, healthy cells. It is a natural process, but it is what is responsible for the bottom line aging to the skin and the body.

With that, I think…

Host 2: Unfortunately, about 90% of aging is due to extrinsic lifestyle. The sun is the number one aging factor. So if we are looking to prevent aging, SPF is going to be our number one defense.

Host 3: UVA and UVV protection; you have to do it everyday.

Host 1: Absolutely. Rain or shine.

Host 3: And it can be in your moisturizer. It can be in your makeup. But make sure you wear it, because that is going to give you the most protection.

Host 1: I think one thing that people don’t think about is when they get up in the morning and they put their sunscreen on, they think they are good for the whole day.

But actually, you really need to reapply that sunscreen, and I think that it is important for people to get used to it. If they are out for a day at the beach, of course they are going to be thinking reapply, but just in day to day living, your sunscreen is going to give you about three to four hours or so of protection.

That is where mineral makeup powders really come in handy, because you can reapply it.

Host 2: That is really convenient. It takes out the extra shine and evens out your skin tone. A really good defense also if you are going to do layering at home, remember your vitamin C.

Any serum that has antioxidants, which are going to combat the free radicals, vitamin C, E, A, whatever you can get into your skin before you are putting your sunscreen on is going to be great for defense, then to remembering to reapply throughout the day.

Host 3: It really is an excellent support for the skin.

Host 2: Well let’s talk a little bit about the retinol end products that we are seeing all over the place lately. I mean is it really a more mild version of Retin-A that you would get at your dermatologist’s office? What have you seen?

Host 1: I think it is definitely a milder form. It really depends on the formulation and how it is delivered into the skin. I like vitamin A and retinol’s end creams, but my personal preference is I like to see them used at night so you are not having that potential photosensitivity or sun sensitivity.

Host 2: Right. And you really want to make sure, especially when you are using those types of products, that you protect your skin during the day.

[crosstalk]

Host 2: I mean you will burn faster, turn pink…

Host 3: And that is the whole point!

[crosstalk]

Host 2: If you don’t use the product the right way…If you use a product like that that is going to make you sensitive to the sun and you go out into the sun and you burn, you are just defeating the whole purpose.

Host 3: Right. Damaging all over again.

Host 2: And also with the retinol products I think it is consistency. I mean you are not going to see results unless you use the product on a regular basis. So if you use it a couple times a week and you forget to apply it, then it is just not going to have the same effect as if you…

Host 1: Are applying it on a regular basis.

Host 2: Yeah. So consistency and letting the product work, giving it time for it to work, because a lot of people want to see results right away. And this is something that you would probably need to use for a month or two before you see any smoothness or any firming.

Host 3: I think maybe we should tell people what a retinoid or a retinol is. It is a derivative of vitamin A, and vitamin A is the skin’s vitamin. So when we are ingesting or applying topically vitamin A, retinoids, retin-A, it is dictating to the dermis, “Birth new cells.”

So having said that, there is a thin line between women who are expecting, or breast feeding, or pregnant.

Host 2: Right.

Host 3: Take care and know that maybe retinoids can’t cross over that barrier, maybe.

Host 1: Yeah, depending on the formulation and the molecule size…

Host 3: Especially with Retin-A.

Host 1: Yeah, Retin-A is a definite no-no. And I think also as people start getting into glycolic acids and doing resurfacing of their skin and sometimes forget about the waxing contraindication.

Host 3: Well that can be a nightmare. If you use the Retin-A product and you go in to get a waxing treatment…

Host 2: The skin lifts.

Host 3: The skin can actually lift off…

Host 1: It always does. And you stop and say, “So tell me what you are using on your skin.”

Host 3: So you want to make sure you are telling your esthetician or wherever you get your brows done if you are on products like this, because your skin is going to be more sensitive, and you don’t want to have any permanent scarring or damage due to that.

Host 2: Some people don’t know, though. And I really do think about, you know, you have got to be aware of products. You have got to be aware of the most active ingredients in your product. What am I putting on my skin? Why am I choosing this? How is it affecting my skin?

And when we start getting into the whole resurfacing, glycolics, retinoids, salicylic, that is where really I think people need to increase their knowledge.

Sometime ago scientists were putting two and two together, and realized that French people, despite their extremely high intake of fat and carbs were living twice as long as Americans. And they did not suffer from heart disease the way we did even though they constantly consumed high fat; the scientists quickly realized that the difference was a large amount of red wine. French people are known for drinking a glass of wine once, twice, sometimes three a day, and this is what was making the difference. Recently, a researcher realized that the chemical in red wine known as Reseveratrol had a huge impact on the aging gene, pro-longing the aging process, initiating weight loss, and getting rid of fatigue, as well as decreasing the risks of heart disease and certain cancers… Basically, restoring the body to its youthful self.

So, does Reseveratrol work??

Well, Reseveratrol is currently in clinical studies, or trials, to be released as an FDA approved drug to actually prolong life and prevent diseases. I will quote one of the scientists that discovered this break through. With Reseveratrol…

“People will live active healthy lives, and then die quietly in their sleep, that’s really the aim here with these medicines”

While Vital-RezV’s active ingredient is Reseveratrol, the drug that is being tested and has shown positive effects as a treatment of diabetes, and postpones the aging process, is being tested at much higher concentrations than what you are getting with the anti-aging supplement. Still, this completely natural chemical at any dosage seems to have some sort of positive effects on the body, you may not be able to treat diseases with this supplement but I truly believe it will help prevent certain diseases and support a healthy life style. After all the supplement is still a much higher concentration than what is contained in Red Wine.

Even though Reseveratrol is still in the clinical trial phase, the results that are being presented and printed are extremely exciting!! As 60 minutes reported the two scientists that discovered this amazing break through opened a tiny little start up company, and the results were so amazing that the small little lab was recently bought by pharmaceutical giant Glaxo Smith Kline for 3 quarters of a BILLION dollars. I would definitely say there are some high expectations for this drug!!

Botulism acts as a neurotoxin, what this means is that when you ingest the bacteria it automatically attacks your central nervous system and causes paralysis, and eventually if not promptly treated death. The paralytic effects of the bacteria are what make it work so well as a facial rejuvenator. However, Botox was not initially created for its preservation of beauty. Back in the 1960’s it was researched as a treatment for certain neurological disorders, but it was not until 1989 that it was approved to treat certain eye disorders, and the approval for its use as a cosmetic treatment didn’t come until early 2002. Since then however, Botox has been taking the world by storm and is used by everyone from women, to men, and even some children.

So how does Botox work exactly??

Humans are very characteristic people when we laugh, smile, or even frown we show it very well in our facial expressions, it is one of our amazing communicable abilities. However, making all these facial expressions, repeatedly can and will cause certain types of wrinkles such as crows feet, laugh lines ect. When injected in to the face the toxin blocks nerve impulses which dramatically weaken the muscles, thus preventing these characteristic facial expressions. One must understand that Botox is not a one time thing; the effects of it last only a short period of time, and you must keep these muscles restricting your facial movements paralyzed for several months before you notice these lines disappearing.

The pros of using Botox are it is a minimally invasive procedure, it is a simple injection, and recovery is 30 minutes. Plus people love the results. The Cons are Botox injections must be repeated time and time again, if the injections are stopped the lines will reappear. Also, they are super expensive, with prices usually starting at $600.00 per injection, and there are some side effects to consider; although rare they do occur. Some common problems associated with Botox injections are droopy eyelids, paralysis of the face(unexpected and unwanted), nausea, muscle weakness, and facial pain. Many people…like myself, have reservations about receiving Botox because of the simple fact that it is a toxin, the makers of Botox have addressed this issue by stating that there has never been a reported case of botulism after receiving an injection.

Fact is people, most definitely women, will continue to do what ever it takes to look young, and chances are nothing about that is going to change until society loosens its tight grip on our self esteem. However, don’t let this insane obsession sway your personal opinion of yourself, honestly it makes me sick to hear about a young woman in her twenties seeking out a cosmetic surgeon to get Botox injections…there is absolutely no way that a woman in her twenties has a real need for Botox and she shouldn’t start having the injections this early. Whether or not Botox is effective the first time, or the fiftieth time, it is a toxin and really shouldn’t be used at such as young age! Simply because we don’t know the real long term effects of this drug/toxin so lets approach it cautiously!

The very first thing you should learn is to be wary of what you read on the internet!! There is a marketing gimmick called affiliate marketing and many…actually the majority of articles that you read boosting the success of a product are basically the same thing as a commercial on TV. These people receive a percentage of the profits for each sell they initiate, and they do so by writing articles and false statements about the products success rate. I say this so that you will know to do your own investigating on a product, don’t believe the claims made by these articles; this includes the statements made about the ingredients.

Now, let’s get down to it; the way to reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles is to correct the damage that has occurred. That is the first lesson in fighting aging that you must learn, treat your wrinkles as if they are an injury that you need to heal, because essentially they are. The ingredients in an effective wrinkle cream will perform this action nicely through the application of proteins (collagen and elastin), or by promoting the skin to make these proteins. There are all types of creams and lotions to help prevent signs of aging, natural or synthetic, the purpose of the cream is exactly the same…to prevent the formation, or reduce the appearance of wrinkles.

Now, unless you buy a completely organic product that lists the essential ingredients such as Vitamins A, C, or E you will need to investigate them and find out what they are typically called in English terms. For example Tocopheryl Acetate is a scientific term for a very strong, very effective, form of vitamin E. Another good example is retinol or more commonly known as Vitamin A; this list goes on and on.

So what exactly should you look for in a wrinkle cream?

Let me just say this is a trick question!! There are so many good wrinkle creams out there with the potential to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, but not one specific cream possesses every one of the hundreds of beneficial ingredients. So, I will give you some very good information to start with.

Peptides…any type, are beneficial to your skin as they are essential to repairing skin damage. Some commonly used peptides are: Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, Palmitoyl Pentapeptide-3, Palmitoyl Oligopeptide, Palmitoyl Tetrapeptide-7. There are many more, but typically they will contain the word peptide in the title.

Collagen or Elastin: Are an absolute necessity to youthful looking skin, the loss of collagen and elastin are what allow our skin to wrinkle and sag in the first place. Some commonly used ingredients are called Atelocollagen, Hydrolyed Collagen, Hydrolyzed Elastin.

Vitamins: A good place to start is of course Vitamin A (retinol), Vitamin C because it helps promote the natural production of collagen, and of course Vitamin E because it is essential to the health of your skin.

Keep in mind that these are merely a few active ingredients; an effective wrinkle cream will have many other ingredients to soften the skin and support the actions of the other ingredients. But these are some very good, very essential, ingredients to start with.

The ideal goal of an anti aging face cream would be to totally annihilate wrinkles and prevent them from ever returning, but then again that would be the discovery of the fountain of youth. So the accepted goal of a face cream is to reduce the signs of aging by diminishing lines and wrinkles as much as possible, and helping to prevent them from returning. I would guess that 50% of wrinkle creams are very effective, but the other 50% are basically dressed up lotion in extremely over priced bottles. There is a way to tell the difference; investigate the product and the ingredients thoroughly, as long as the reviews are good and the ingredients make sense the product should work. Be sure not to make the assumption that just because it is way over priced it is effective.

You should also learn to tell the difference in a preventative cream and a corrective cream; know what you are looking for before you go shopping so that you don’t end up buying a lot of products you don’t want or need. A preventative cream, or creams, will include a moisturizer and some form of protective facial sun block, because the sun and wrinkles are like peas and carrots…they just go together. On the other hand a moisturizer, no matter how smooth it makes your skin feel, is not going to repair damage. You have to buy…invest, in a special cream for this, and by investing I mean these creams are usually very pricy, so prepare yourself before you get to the check out counter.

There is no one cream that has a monopoly on the industry, there are hundreds to choose from, and it all depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you are looking for a preventative product/ moisturizer you can find these in just about every shape or form, and in natural or chemically based formulas. It is hard to go wrong with a good moisturizer, but if it is the first time you have used it you should be sure to investigate it. Corrective products on the other hand are also a dime a dozen and like moisturizers they too come in a variety of different formulas, however, I am quick to say that many of these claims of repair or correction are marketing gimmicks to sell a product. Most definitely if they are solely based on the internet! When spending so much of your hard earned money be sure that the product works; there are so many out there that don’t. Educate yourself on the ingredients that are needed to repair damaged skin, this way no one can pull the wool over your eyes, and always, always investigate the product before buying it!!

[photo http://www.flickr.com/photos/mk1971/]

So, what are these anti-aging treatments and how do they help me look and feel younger?

The goal is to fight aging at all levels possible, internally and externally. Many people make the mistake of only fighting it at the surface level, and while that is a great approach for the appearance of your skin, it is not getting the root cause. On the other hand taking an anti-aging supplement to help fight aging at an internal level, to prevent or postpone the process completely, works wonders for the body but does little for the skin. Fact is the body needs help at both of these levels, and the treatments respond so much better when taken in conjunction with each other. Making sure to meticulously care for the skin has always, and will always, be a very important part of the anti-aging process. But, when you combine this meticulous care with a supplement that helps the body make these essential skin proteins (collagen and elastin), as well as promote internal harmony within your body, the results are simply outstanding.

There is a catch however. Taking an anti-aging supplement is a great way to prevent the time clock from ticking away, once the clock has spun through several neglected cycles an anti-aging supplement is not as effective. While many of these supplements claim to be able to turn back the clock, I highly doubt that they can turn it back very far. I am not saying they can’t reverse some of the signs of aging, but the only complete reversal is surgery. However, beginning an anti-aging supplement combined with a skin treatment regimen is a great way to prevent further damage, and possibly repair some of the damage that has already occurred. If you have a substantial amount of damage your best bet may be some cosmetic procedures, or some of the higher priced creams and filler products.

Right now believe it or not the number one anti-aging beauty secret taking the world by storm and selling like umbrellas on a rainy day is… a stretch mark cream! Yes, I said a stretch mark cream. The ingredients in an effective stretch mark cream make it a great anti-aging/age reversal product. Stretch marks are deep v shaped trenches in the dermal layer of tissue; in order to reduce the appearance of these stretch marks the product must be able to fill these “trenches” with collagen. Wrinkles are child’s play in comparison to stretch marks so this cream, Srtivectin SD, easily fills the lines and wrinkles with collagen just as it would the deep stretch marks. This cream has actually been coined “topical botox” because of its effectiveness. However, be prepared to pay for this miracle in a tube; Strivectin SD typically runs $135.00 for a 6oz tube, but you know what they say you get what you pay for!

The Blood Countess, Erzabet Bathory of Hungary had one part of her nasty scheme right, to prevent wrinkles you must treat the problem inside and out. However, preferably you would do so with creams and supplements not the blood of virgins!! A wrinkle can be caused by several different things, but he majority of the problem, researchers have noted, are what are called free radicals. When the body ages it loses certain abilities, more specifically the ability to produce enough anti-oxidants and collagen, and this is why we have wrinkles when we are old and not when we are young. Our young, vibrant bodies are able to produce, fight off, and maintain a perfect harmony. The mere act of aging is what changes this, some say it is because of the stress in adulthood while others claim our body simply uses up its supply, what ever the cause it can be helped.

Let’s approach the two separate ways to treat wrinkles/aging. On the surface a wrinkle is the result of decreased amounts of collagen and elastin in the skin, and or the exposure to external free radicals. Yes, the aging body does have a lot to do with the development of wrinkles, however don’t think that you have nothing to do with it either. Exposing your skin to a variety of external free radicals such as smoke, pollutants, and UV rays is a HUGE cause of premature wrinkling. Paired with the decreased amounts of collagen and elastin, the body has nothing to fight these free radicals with thus resulting in the damage/wrinkles. A perfect example is a woman who smokes cigarettes; the development of wrinkles around her mouth and eyes are tremendously worse than that of a non-smoker due to the damage inflicted on her skin from the cigarette.

Pollution is another big cause of wrinkles it damages the skin in basically the same way as smoke, except via small chemical particles. By far the biggest and most common cause of wrinkled dried out skin is over exposure to the sun. Don’t get me wrong the sun provides our body with essential nutrients and vitamins both directly and indirectly. However, over baking in the actual sun OR a tanning booth is a great way to look older than your grandmother. UV rays have a very distinct way of turn the skin to…for lack of a better word, leather! And yes even tanning it up while you are young will have a negative impact on your skin later in life, and by later I mean your late twenties.

This change in the skin and body starts to happen way before most people think, we start losing the ability to produce enough anti-oxidants to kill these free radicals by our early thirties, and our skin changes way before that! Some researchers have suggested that we start losing the suppleness of our youthful smooth skin by adolescence. This means that prevention needs to start young by avoiding known causes of aging and taking great care of yourself and skin. Anti-aging supplements are a great addition to anyone’s daily routine, however when taken before the damage has occurred will benefit you the most as the point is prevention. Also, be sure to be dedicated to a good skin care routine cleansing, exfoliating, moisturizing, and above all sun blocking! It is possible to hold off the inevitable, but until the actual fountain of youth is discovered we will all develop wrinkles at some point in our lifetime, if we live long enough!

[photo http://www.flickr.com/photos/kaybee/ ]

Having done an extensive amount of research myself on these anti-aging supplements, I can tell you that they do in fact have the potential to slow the normal aging process. But more importantly they can help keep you healthier longer! However, let me also be the first to say that just like with many other products and formulas, not all of them are effective, you have to be careful what you buy. When the news hit that herbs and supplements had the potential to delay the aging process, every single supplement company rushed to create their own specific anti-aging formula, and sadly many of them are basically just a spin on your daily multivitamin.

To completely understand what it is that an anti-aging supplement does, you must first understand the normal aging process. When we age our bodies lose the ability to create certain chemicals and this in turn creates an imbalance of hormones. Imbalanced hormones can create a plethora of problems from weight gain, to certain cancers and other diseases. Also, everyone knows that free radicals are the cause of aging, when we are young our bodies have an abundant supply of antioxidants, these anti-oxidants are what destroy the nasty little free radicals. As we age this abundant supply of anti-oxidants is depleted and we are left with nothing to stop these free radicals from destroying our young healthy cells. Since the body cannot replenish its supply of anti-oxidants on its own, or through diet, it is imperative we supplement.

An effective anti-aging supplement would definitely be chalked full of anti-oxidants, as well as a supplement that promotes the production of collagen and healthy skin to reduce the amount of, or prevent wrinkles. Many even contain herbs to balance hormones and promote a youthful hormonal balance. In order to be effective an anti-aging supplement should contain at least two, if not all three, of these ingredients. As far as calling an anti-aging supplement the elixir of youth…Ummm, I think not, but a good compromise! Anti-aging supplements are a great way to keep your self looking and feeling young well into your golden years, as well as keeping those nasty midlife diseases at bay.

You should keep in mind however that anti-aging supplements are good at controlling the internal causes of aging; you still have to be mindful of the external causes. In other words you must still avoid air borne free radicals that damage skin such as smoke, pollution, and SUN DAMAGE. Above all take care of your skin and moisturize your skin often, like I said anti-aging supplements are a good compromise, not a miracle!