Repairing Skin Damage
How to counteract the effects of pollution, smoking, alcohol, etc.
As life is at such a fast pace nowadays, our skin is subjected to far greater and more prolonged attacks from the environment and our own lifestyles. Free radicals are always attacking skin cells so now more than ever we need to utilise effective protection to reduce the short- and long-term damaging effects. Our bodies are made up of, on average, around 60 trillion skin cells and each day those skin cells take around 1000 free radical hits! A free radical is an atom or molecule with an unpaired electron in an outer shell and, unfortunately for us, they are highly reactive and closely associated with oxidative damage. They will attack the skin in the hunt for stability causing oxidation damage to the cells; this in turn leads to premature ageing, sensitivity, pigmentation and, it’s suggested, more serious diseases. Free radicals are everywhere; in certain unhealthy foods we eat, the pollution within a city centre, the sun in the height of summer, medication, cigarettes and alcohol, to name but a few. Of course our lifestyles are usually busy for a reason and slowing down isn’t always an option so we need to educate ourselves on the different measures that we can take to ensure our skin is as well protected and cared for as possible to reduce the amount of damage that free radicals cause.
Did you know that for every puff on a cigarette you lose the equivalent of 2 oranges worth of vitamin C? Therefore, if you are a smoker, it is vital that you start working to counteract the damage as soon as possible. Very often the increased free radical attacks from smoking can result in a sallow, dull looking skin that suffers with lines, especially around the lip contour area . When a free radical attacks the cells within our skin, a domino-like chain reaction occurs and a continual succession of cells will die. Of especial concern is the damage they can do when they react with important cellular components such as DNA or the cell membrane, which causes cells to function poorly or expire. This leads to premature ageing of the skin as oxidisation of the cells within it occurs.
The best way to tackle free radical damage is through anti free radicals or antioxidants; these are molecules found in vitamins that act as a shield between skin cells and unstable free radicals, limiting the amount of damage that can be done. The most powerful anti free radicals are vitamins C and E, which can inhibit the damaging effects of oxidisation by neutralising an attack. Increasing the content of these vitamins within your diet will help as will using antioxidant-rich skin care products to completely protect both inside and out.
After any prolonged exposure to alcohol, smoke, UV rays or city pollution, it’s crucial that you introduce further antioxidants into your body, in addition to the ones that naturally occur, as soon as possible to tackle the excessive free radical damage. Simple supplements to your diet can help with this; fruits such as strawberries and kiwi, green vegetables, fish oils and nut oils are highly effective at increasing the amount of vitamin C and E in the body.
Recent research suggests that regular physical exercise enhances the antioxidant defense system and protects against free radical damage. A balanced training programme and healthy eating habits as outlined above will help your body’s antioxidant systems prepare an effective defense against free radical damage.
From inside to out, specific ingredients within skincare products will work to limit the effects of free radicals. A vitamin-rich, regular skincare routine is central to well-protected and defended skin cells. As mentioned, Vitamin C and E offer effective resistance to radical attacks, as well as Beta-Carotene and vitamin A, so look out for skincare products containing these ingredients, such as Pevonia’s Vitaminic Concentrate. Be wary of alcohol content in product formulations as it’s a known contributor to free radical damage and one of the worst ingredients to put on your skin. Additionally, artificial fragrances found in many skincare products have been known to react with skin, especially in bright sunlight, leading to hyper pigmentation, which is an effect of free radical damage. Alternatively, natural products are extremely valuable in the fight against free radical damage as they are far less likely to contain adverse ingredients, and instead utilise organically occurring antioxidants found in marine and botanical extracts to effectively enhance the body’s innate defense systems.
For those who experience prolonged exposure to or are concerned about free radical damage in their day-to-day lives, such as smokers, city dwellers and alcohol-drinkers, a professional skincare routine will provide unparalleled and immediate benefits. A skin diagnosis to identify the most problematic areas followed by a personalised skincare and treatment regime will be the most effective means of targeting, addressing and reducing damage at a cellular level. Most professional treatments contain a higher concentration of active ingredients, such as Pevonia’s Anti-Free Radicals Facial, meaning better penetration of healing elements and an overall improvement in internal and external appearance, so the investment in superior quality is always worthwhile.
Little changes can make the world of difference to the effects of free radical damage so it’s imperative to introduce these as soon as possible to limit any damage that may have already been done; using a moisturiser containing UV protection, consuming less alcohol, avoiding smoking indoors or quitting altogether, introducing fresh green vegetables into a diet and taking up regular exercise will all work to achieve greater protection against radical attacks. By paying closer attention to the quality of your lifestyle and working to improve your personal environment, both internally and externally, you will soon see and feel both the visible and invisible benefits of these changes in your body and skin.
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