HA Facelift Serum: New Skin Care Technology Restores Youthful Appearance

By VRP Staff

The skin is the body’s largest organ and is responsible for a complex array of functions, including mechanical protection, immune protection, temperature regulation, wound healing and more. In addition, we expect our skin to perform one additional task not usually required of any other organ system – that is, to look good while it’s doing its job.

Factors that affect the skin’s function typically have a corresponding impact on appearance. Some age-related changes happen slowly over decades and are principally determined by our genetic predisposition. These intrinsic aging factors are responsible for changes like deep wrinkles, loss of elasticity, age spots, dry skin and diminished regenerative capacity. Extrinsic aging factors include environmental, behavioral and nutritional influences like sun exposure, smoking, exercise, micronutrient intake – even sleeping position. Extrinsic factors can accelerate skin aging by contributing to fine wrinkles, loose, sagging or leathery skin and cumulative structural damage. Extrinsic factors are also the ones that are amenable to improvement through lifestyle changes. Avoiding excessive sun exposure, not smoking, and ensuring proper nutrient and water intake are examples of foundational elements of good skin care.

Recent advances in skin care technology have given rise to a number of “cosmeceutical” ingredients that can contribute significantly to the maintenance of healthy skin while enhancing appearance. Restoration Therapy™ Pure Hyaluronic Acid (HA), which we introduced last month, for example, is the body’s own “super moisturizer,” capable of holding up to 1,000 times its own weight in water. When we are young and healthy, abundant HA is found in various tissues like joints, eyes and skin, where it provides hydration, cushioning and structural support. With age, both the quantity and quality of HA diminish, resulting in such changes as reduced joint flexibility and dry, saggy skin. Supplemental HA hydrates and plumps these tissues and helps restore youthful structure and function.

Skin Enhancement with Algae/Polysaccharide Complex

This month we are introducing Facelift Serum, another valuable product for younger looking skin. In a base of HA we added a unique algae extract/polysaccharide complex called APS™ Complex developed by natural cosmetic chemists in Switzerland. This biologically active complex provides a three-way benefit by firming and tightening the loose skin areas while reducing oxidative stress and stimulating the synthesis of Collagen 1, an essential component of the skin’s network of connective tissue.  Oxidative stress, a condition brought about by excessive exposure to sunlight, pollution and by smoking, disrupts skin health by a number of mechanisms. One is the creation of protein carbonyls, nonfunctional proteins formed by the interaction of tissue proteins with the skin’s naturally-occurring oils. These “dead-end” molecules impair the production of keratin and impart a dull, lifeless quality to the skin. Oxidative stress also causes cross-linking of the skin’s collagen fibers, reducing their elastic properties in a process not unlike the tanning of leather. The UV energy in sunlight also causes cumulative damage to skin cells’ DNA and RNA so that the skin’s natural ability to regenerate and restore itself is diminished over time.

Facelift Serum works as a companion product to the Restoration Therapy™ Pure HA. While the HA plumps and hydrates the skin, Facelift Serum lifts and tightens loose skin areas. Both products can be used twice per day after cleansing the skin.

Like other aspects of aging, the maintenance of healthy skin can be significantly advanced by healthy lifestyle choices such as not smoking, using sunscreen, eating well, taking supplements and engaging in regular exercise. In addition, the topical application of next-generation “cosmeceuticals” can help preserve the skin’s youthful appearance while helping to maintain its structural and functional integrity.