Antioxidants and Skin
Imagine cutting open an apple, leaving it to set on the counter, and walking back into the kitchen later to find that your snack has changed color. This is oxidation–a process caused by free radicals that leads to cell dysfunction. You wouldn’t want the same damage to occur to your skin, would you? A diet rich in antioxidants in addition to antioxidant rich skin care products can prevent free radical damage and drastically impact the health and appearance of your skin.
What are antioxidants?
When skin is exposed to ultraviolet light, oxidation at the cellular level can occur and the presence of free radicals results in cell dysfunction. However, antioxidants, mostly obtained from the fruits and vegetables we eat, can prevent the oxidants of molecules in the body and ultimately prevent diseases, health issues, and contribute to healthy skin. Antioxidants include enzymes and vitamin C, vitamin E, and beta carotene substances.
What exactly are free radicals?
Free radicals are naturally produced in the body and are essential in fighting off viruses and microbes. But if they outnumber the antioxidants in your body, they can contribute to poor health. You can also encounter free radicals in the environment through alcohol, cigarette smoke, and air pollution.
How do antioxidants prevent oxidation?
Your body naturally produces free radicals and antioxidants to counteract their effects, but the right balance is not always easily achieved as free radicals can easily outnumber. Antioxidants are able to reduce oxidative stress, by neutralizing free radicals and removing them from the bloodstream to prevent oxidation from occurring and guard your skin cells from damage.
How do they work with skincare?
As the largest organ in your body, your skin is a susceptible victim. Oxidative stress damages the skin’s epidermal and dermal cells, contributing to the breakdown of collagen, the protein responsible for firmness and elasticity in the skin. Consuming foods rich in antioxidants can be very beneficial in preventing this and maintaining overall health. Yet, antioxidants in skin care products are a beneficial route to consider, as they can help with the appearance of your skin and reduce signs of aging by promoting collagen growth.
Here at Artisan Skin and Laser Center, we carry many skincare products containing antioxidants including our SkinMedica TNS Essential Serum, Total Defense + Repair Sunscreen, Vitamin C&E, Retinols and our Revision Skincare DEJ face cream. Used over time, these products will help you maintain a youthful glow and assist you in achieving even-toned healthy skin less likely to suffer from free radical damage.
Why are antioxidant rich skincare products often integrated with laser treatments?
Our laser treatments, too, promote the rejuvenation of your skin and help eliminate damage from free radicals to drastically improve the appearance and health of your skin. When used in conjunction with antioxidant rich skin care products, you will be able to experience longer results from your laser treatments and will likely not need as many sessions to maintain your skin care goals.
At Artisan Skin and Laser Center, we love working one-on-one with our clients to help them achieve healthy, revitalized skin. If you are interested in learning more about our antioxidant-rich skin care products or any of our services, we would love to educate you through a personalized and complimentary consultation.