Cause Number 1: Free Radical Damage
You may have heard of free radical damage. Many supplement companies mention the subject briefly in their advertisements for antioxidants.
Free radical molecules can cause damage to any cell of your body. Your skin cells are no different. Free radical damage is likely involved in all the things that lead to the visible signs of aging.
But, if you know anything about free radicals, you know they are naturally present in the skin and in the rest of the body. They do not always cause damage. In fact, they sometimes provide assistance to the body's immune system by destroying intercellular bacteria. So, what causes free radicals to turn against us? There are several things.
• Overexposure to the sun-UV radiation stimulates increased production and activity of radical molecules
• Toxins in skincare products-some are free radicals, some stimulate production
• Cigarette smoke-contains free radicals and depletes the skin's antioxidant levels
Ugly neck lines occur as people age, because there are fewer antioxidants present in older skin to neutralize the free radicals.
Cause Number 2: Decreased Collagen Production
Collagen, a simple protein, is the main component of the skin's elastic fibers. It is the elastic fibers that keep the skin firm, stretching out wrinkles and creases. As collagen production decreases with age, the skin under the jaw and at the neckline starts to sag. Gravity works against us in that respect, but there isn't much we can do about gravity.
Cause Number 3: Damaged and Degraded Collagen Fibers
Healthy new collagen fibers are very strong. That's why young people do not usually have ugly neck lines. There are only a few things that can damage or degrade collagen. The free radical mentioned above is one of those things. Another is chronic inflammation.
Inflammation is a natural immune system function, but research has shown that chronic inflammation is a big problem for modern humans. This unhealthy kind of inflammation occurs as a result of poor eating habits, lack of physical activity and exposure to modern toxins.
If there is a lack of vitamin C in the diet, the collagen produced will be weaker to begin with and more easily damaged. Vitamin C is an essential cofactor for the production of strong collagen and the prevention of ugly neck lines. Vitamin C is also a dietary antioxidant, important for preventing damage.
Cause Number 4: Low Levels of Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is something like glue. It helps to hold the skin's cells together. For some reason, the skin's hyaluronic acid levels decrease with age. The glue breaks down to quickly and the visible result is sagging skin that appears to be cracked.
Those are the four main causes of ugly neck lines. Now that you have learned about them, you will be able to better understand the solutions, which are the main subjects of my next article How to Solve Ugly Neck Lines.
via Margaret Bell
You may have heard of free radical damage. Many supplement companies mention the subject briefly in their advertisements for antioxidants.
Free radical molecules can cause damage to any cell of your body. Your skin cells are no different. Free radical damage is likely involved in all the things that lead to the visible signs of aging.
But, if you know anything about free radicals, you know they are naturally present in the skin and in the rest of the body. They do not always cause damage. In fact, they sometimes provide assistance to the body's immune system by destroying intercellular bacteria. So, what causes free radicals to turn against us? There are several things.
• Overexposure to the sun-UV radiation stimulates increased production and activity of radical molecules
• Toxins in skincare products-some are free radicals, some stimulate production
• Cigarette smoke-contains free radicals and depletes the skin's antioxidant levels
Ugly neck lines occur as people age, because there are fewer antioxidants present in older skin to neutralize the free radicals.
Cause Number 2: Decreased Collagen Production
Collagen, a simple protein, is the main component of the skin's elastic fibers. It is the elastic fibers that keep the skin firm, stretching out wrinkles and creases. As collagen production decreases with age, the skin under the jaw and at the neckline starts to sag. Gravity works against us in that respect, but there isn't much we can do about gravity.
Cause Number 3: Damaged and Degraded Collagen Fibers
Healthy new collagen fibers are very strong. That's why young people do not usually have ugly neck lines. There are only a few things that can damage or degrade collagen. The free radical mentioned above is one of those things. Another is chronic inflammation.
Inflammation is a natural immune system function, but research has shown that chronic inflammation is a big problem for modern humans. This unhealthy kind of inflammation occurs as a result of poor eating habits, lack of physical activity and exposure to modern toxins.
If there is a lack of vitamin C in the diet, the collagen produced will be weaker to begin with and more easily damaged. Vitamin C is an essential cofactor for the production of strong collagen and the prevention of ugly neck lines. Vitamin C is also a dietary antioxidant, important for preventing damage.
Cause Number 4: Low Levels of Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is something like glue. It helps to hold the skin's cells together. For some reason, the skin's hyaluronic acid levels decrease with age. The glue breaks down to quickly and the visible result is sagging skin that appears to be cracked.
Those are the four main causes of ugly neck lines. Now that you have learned about them, you will be able to better understand the solutions, which are the main subjects of my next article How to Solve Ugly Neck Lines.
via Margaret Bell
