Searching for the Fountain of Youth -6 Secrets to Look Younger

The legends say that somewhere in a faraway place, hidden from the eyes of passers-by, lies a magical spring that has the amazing power to restore the youth in anyone drinking from it or bathing in it. Writers from all over the world had mentioned about it, songs had been written and famous explorers had engaged in tenacious expeditions to search for it…the first writings about the mythical spring go as far back as the fifth century BC.

So, the idea of fighting the effects of ageing is not as contemporary as many of us may think. It is in the human nature to keep searching for the secrets of youth. There is no man (or woman) who hasn’t heard or faced this insatiable quest. Whether we are talking about home remedies or more expensive and extensive rejuvenation treatments, there is at least one “secret” that pops up in anyone’s mind when it comes to keeping and looking younger.

But what does modern-day science have to say about this search for the fountain of youth? Do we have hopes to ever find it, if not in the mythical sense, then with the help of progress and technology? So, let’s see which are, at the moment, the latest and the most effective trends in the beauty industry regarding anti-ageing and rejuvenation therapies.

Collagen

Collagen is a protein that represents one third of all the proteins in the human body. It plays the role of a ligand and it bonds the cells and tissues together. This is what gives skin its natural strength, elasticity and youthful look. Wrinkles appear when the body’s production of collagen starts to decline with age or when it degrades under the influence of internal or external factors.

These findings lead to the conclusion that the key to a young, elastic and beautiful skin lies in the quality and quantity of this protein. And it opened a whole new niche for both cosmetic and dietary products that claim to be rich in collagen and able to replace it in the skin. But how much truth is actually behind all this fuss on the cosmetic market?

First of all, there are the face creams and lotions that have incorporated the magical anti-ageing ingredient. However, there are not many convincing studies whether they really have any effect on regenerating and improving the skin’s condition. The molecules of collagen are simply too large to be absorbed through skin. There are also the collagen dietary supplements that have been promoted under the premises that by ingesting it, collagen would work from the inside out, repairing and rejuvenating the skin. But it seems that once it is ingested, collagen breaks down into amino acids just like any other protein does and there is no proof it could have any effect on the skin.

However, there are actual proven ways in which collagen can be used to improve the appearance of the skin. The most direct method is by injecting it directly into the depressions created by wrinkles. It makes the face look younger by refilling the wrinkles and the effect of this treatment can last up to six months. Another way to use the science of collagen is to stimulate your own body to produce more. This can be obtained by applying creams rich in vitamin C or vitamin A, or creams that are rich in hyaluronic acid. These are all important precursors of collagen that actually produce visible results. And finally, another direct way to stimulate the production of collagen is laser stimulation and radiofrequency stimulation.

So, yes, if used under the right forms and with the right methods, collagen proves to be one of the best weapons against the effects of aging on your skin.

Vitamin C

Another well known secret in the anti-ageing battle is the vitamin C. It may be common, and very accessible, but who said that a veritable fountain of youth has to be extremely expensive or exclusive?

In fact, vitamin C is a very strong antioxidant that fights the effects of time on the skin. Studies have been done and it was proven that people whose diets are rich in vitamin C have fewer wrinkles and age-related damage than people who don’t consume that much vitamin C. So, it seems to be effective whether it is ingested or applied directly on the skin on the form of creams, lotions, or facial treatments. It penetrates the skin and it works by repairing and firming it by naturally stimulating the production of collagen. Being an antioxidant, it also fights free radicals and it is a natural barrier against ultraviolet radiation.

Moreover, vitamin C also has many proven benefits for health. It boosts the immune system and it makes us feel more energetic. It doesn’t only work by making us look younger, but also by helping us feel younger, too!

Placenta

Chances are you have already heard about this controversial anti-ageing secret. If you haven’t, you should know that placenta is actually an organ that develops in the womb during pregnancy, around the foetus. It connects the foetus to the wall of the uterus and it is also the organ that provides the foetus with nutrients and lets the waste out. It is believed that the placenta contains incredibly beneficial nutrients that can regenerate tissues and cells in ways that vitamins and minerals can’t.

In some parts of the world, it is ordinary for women to ingest their own placenta after giving birth, in order to keep their youth. It has been a common practice for Chinese and Japanese women for thousands of years, so these theories are not new at all. Actually, as inconceivable as it may sound at first, if you take a look at the animal kingdom, mothers of all species of animals eat their own placenta after giving birth. It seems that this organ is indeed so rich in growth hormones, proteins, vitamins and other concentrated nutrients that it helps the mother’s body get its strength back, heal and regenerate much faster and efficient that it would normally do.

The beauty industry adapted formulas from animal placenta into a very wide range of dietary supplements like pills and drinks and also face treatments, creams, lotions and face masks. The intensive regenerative capabilities of placenta help repair old, tired and wrinkled skin by inducing an increase in the collagen production. So, the skin becomes youthful, fresh and elastic and it also help remove spots, eczemas or acne due to its healing capacities.

Glutathione

Glutathione is an incredibly powerful antioxidant found in plants, animals, some bacteria and fungi. It has been called “the latest cutting edge in anti-ageing therapy” as it has the highest antioxidant score available so far. It protects the skin from free radicals, ultraviolet rays and other environmental stress. It prevents oxidative damage to the skin while keeping it healthy and beautiful and it also has the ability to lighten the skin.

The power of glutathione comes from the fact that it is a very small molecule and it exists in all types of cells. It fights free radicals from within the cell, thus being the most important and also the most powerful defense line against oxidative damage.

Glutathione is mostly sold under the form of oral dietary supplements and it seems its effects on improving the condition of the skin can be visible in a very short time. It is not only preventing damage to cellular components caused by free radicals, peroxides, or heavy metals to help your skin look younger and lighter, but it also works as a powerful detoxifier throughout all the cells in your body. It helps the immune system and has many other medical uses and benefits on the overall health. So, it acts on a molecular level by helping you not only look younger, with a cleaner and clearer skin, but also by helping you feel healthier and more energetic – just like a younger version of you!

Botox

Botox is probably what people most often associate anti-ageing cosmetics with. It became so popular because it is a relatively simple procedure and the effects on the skin can be visible in a matter of days. However, this treatment can be double-edged if not done correctly. Botox is the most well known name of cosmetic injections that actually contain Botulinum Toxin, a neurotoxic protein produced by the bacteria Clostridium Botulinum. In its pure state, it is actually the most acutely lethal toxin known to this day. However, scientists managed to adapt its formula so that it can be used for medical and cosmetic purposes.

The substance is injected with a thin needle at the base of the wrinkles and it works by paralysing facial muscles or facial nerves. In this way, it prevents the facial muscles’ contraction, the muscles relax and soften and thus the wrinkles disappear. It takes three to seven days to see its full effect and it lasts up to six months. Botox works on expression wrinkles, while wrinkles formed because of ultraviolet light damage or gravity do not respond to it.

The warning about this treatment, however spectacular its rejuvenation effects on the skin might be, is also pretty important. There is the risk that the toxin spreads from the local injection throughout the body, inducing a disease called botulism. The side effects of this condition are potentially life threatening, so this is why this therapy can only be applied by professionally trained cosmeticians or doctors.

Stem Cells

A major innovation into the field of anti-ageing and rejuvenation medicine appeared with the research made on stem cells and their healing capabilities. It seems that stem cells can really slow down the process of cell deterioration due to their intrinsic protective mechanism that keeps them healthy.

The actual process of ageing is depended on the external and internal damage on our DNA and this is exactly what stem cells do: they repair damaged DNA thus being able to reverse the unwanted process. The cell stem therapy is still at an early age, but the results seem to be truly extraordinary so far. The latest methods of treatment are based on extracting and isolating cells from one’s body, then activating and re-injecting them. The great advantage of stem cells is that they can transform into a wide range of cells and tissues and improve and repair all parts of the body.
Scientists hope to have finally tracked a genuine fountain of youth with the discovery of stem cells and their use.

This therapy is about staying young inside out. The enormous regenerative and healing potential of stem cells is still under studies and therapies are still in the developmental phase, but the cosmetic, anti-ageing and even medical uses of stem cells seem to be truly incredible. Problems arise when it comes to the costs of such therapies, the methods and sometimes even the ethics of such methods, but those who have already tried it claim it has amazing rejuvenating effects on all levels.

So far, these seem to be the best secrets that the science of fighting the ageing process has managed to reveal. And until we manage to track down the actual fountain of youth, we have to continue our search using what modern technology, cosmetics and the beauty industry can offer us.

So…what is your secret to staying young?