5 LEVELS OF CELLULAR AGING
1. Oxidative Stress Oxidative stress leads to the loss of water soluble antioxidants and nutrients within the cell environs and membrane. Oxidative stress is the first change that occurs in the skin after chronic or acute UV radiation (sunburn). It is the generation of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) of free radicals. UVR is only one of the many extrinsic factors that cause oxidative stress. There is also, pain, illness, cigarettes, medications, alcohol, heat, oxygen. Chronic oxidative stress results in lipid peroxidation. Can be treated topically and internally with antioxidants. Use: Vitamin C, EFAs (omega 3s), Vitamin E & A. 2. Lipid peroxidation Lipid peroxidation is a compounded form of oxidative stress. It is the oxidation of omega 3 & 6, Vitamin A & E, and all the lipids found within the cell membrane and intra and extra cellular environs. It is the loss of the oil soluble antioxidants. With lipid peroxidation the cell membrane becomes less permeable and less flexible resulting in compromised active and passive transfer of nutrients, waste, and oxygen in and out of the cell. If it is allowed to compound it will result in mitochondria DNA damage of the mitochondria cell membrane. Can be treated topically and internally with antioxidants.
3. Mitochondria DNA damage Outer and inner mitochondria membranes are connected. If lipid peroxidation is allowed to compound, it will affect the outer membrane of the mitochondria, and because they are connected, the inner membrane could be affected as well. If the mitochondria membrane is affected it may become permanently damaged, leaving cellular memory and energy production at risk for further damage. Mitochondria DNA damage causes cells to be unable to completely create what it was designed for. Mitochondria DNA damage will accelerate cellular aging. Difficult to treat, takes time. Use antioxidants and ergothioneine. Eat mushrooms.
4. Mitochondria aging Mitochondria aging is when built in defense systems decline with age or loss is accelerated by lifestyle and compounded by neglect. Cells lose the ability to replicate; they become senescent, alive but inactive. The complete cell is affected. The part of the cell that is linked to aging is the telomere on a chromosome. Telomeres shortening is cellular aging; creating limited lifespan of cells. Lifestyle can accelerate this aging. Difficult to treat.
5. Cellular senescence Cellular senescence is the end of the regenerative cycle due to the loss of telomerase, which is the enzyme that resets the lengths of the chromosomes. Cells are alive but distorted in form and function, causing pigmented and keratolytic skin conditions. If cells are senescent, pigmentation is not a condition to try to treat. Cellular senescence is Alzheimer's of the complete cell. Cannot treat.
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"The Renegade Esthetician" Cassandra Lanning, LME, NTP, CPE, CLT
Cassandra is a Master Esthetician and Nutritional Therapy Practitioner in the state of Washington. She has 20 years of experience in the beauty industry including electrolysis, laser hair removal, skincare, nutrition, and teaching. She is a member of the International Association for Applied Corneotherapy, the Association for Holistic Skin Care Practitioners, and the National Aesthetic Spa Network. WWW.THERENEGADEESTHETICIAN.COM
Resources: Florence Barrett Hill Lecture, 2012, Philadelphia, PA
