Recommended Products: Photons Flex, Photons Mask, Photons Steamer
Signs of aging are most visible on the outer layers of the skin. Telltale signs of aging such as wrinkles, fine lines, crows feet, and sunspots become evident from constant sun damage, a decrease in cellular metabolic function, and a decline in hormone levels. The integrity and elasticity of skin is slowly degraded as the production of collagen, the primary protein component of the skin's matrix, slows down. As cell metabolism continues to slow with age, the production of proteins and energy for the skin is lost, causing the skin to lose its youthful glow and resilience.
Over the past decade, anti-aging treatments have exploded into the market as the demand and pressure for youthful skin only continues to increase. Salons and spas offer solutions such as skin massaging, masks, and natural oils to rejuvenate and cleanse the skin. These skin revitalization options plump and relax the skin, helping reduce the obvious signs of aging such as redness, irritation, and tension. Recently, the focus of anti-aging solutions has turned another corner to plastic surgery and injections. Botox, fillers, face lifts, and other cosmetic procedures have surged in popularity due to their effectiveness in tightening the skin and diminishing the appearance of wrinkles and folds in the face and neck. These medical treatments are effective and can produce glowing and efficient results, however they differ in how long the results last and can require upkeep and continued expensive treatments. The best, longest-lasting results come from a combination of daily maintenance and care for each layer of the skin from the outer epidermis to the underlying dermal layers.
Collagen is the primary protein making up the dermis, or underlying layer of the skin. Collagen molecules form together into long, thin fibrils to create a matrix of connective tissue, supporting surrounding cells and anchoring them in place. The health of the dermis is vital to the appearance of the skin because it is the foundation for the overlying epidermal layer, visible to the eye. Collagen production and breakdown can be caused by a number of factors: age, sun exposure, smoking and diet. As protein production slows, the dermis starts to lose its integrity, revealing signs of aging through wrinkles and sagging. Studies have shown that increasing collagen production and slowing its degradation improves the elasticity and firmness of skin, while reducing the appearance of wrinkles and roughness. By increasing the levels and density of collagen present beneath the skin, signs of aging can be reversed and restore a natural, youthful appearance. Successfully reviving the skin goes beyond superficial skin treatments, such as expensive creams and serums, because they do not target cell metabolism and protein production in the dermal layers like LED light therapy.
AAO Care’s LED light therapy products help to naturally increase the production of collagen in the dermis, rejuvenating the appearance of your skin. LED light therapy targets fibroblasts, cells beneath the skin that produce collagen proteins. Red light promotes the production and proliferation of fibroblast cells, ultimately increasing the amount of collagen in the matrix of connective tissue beneath the skin, and reduces the number of cells that degrade collagen. Infrared light therapy also slows the effects of aging by penetrating deep beneath the skin’s surface. It stimulates and energizes the cells that produce vital proteins and matrix components, healing broken down or weakened areas of the skin. AAO Care products allow you to use a combination of red and infrared light therapies to combat anti-aging by reenergizing the epidermal cells.
Wunsch, Alexander, and Karsten Matuschka. “A Controlled Trial to Determine the Efficacy of Red and near-Infrared Light Treatment in Patient Satisfaction, Reduction of Fine Lines, Wrinkles, Skin Roughness, and Intradermal Collagen Density Increase.” Photomedicine and Laser Surgery, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., 1 Feb. 2014.
Farage, Miranda A, et al. “Characteristics of the Aging Skin.” Advances in Wound Care, Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., Feb. 2013.
Fisher, Gary J, et al. “Looking Older: Fibroblast Collapse and Therapeutic Implications.” Archives of Dermatology, U.S. National Library of Medicine, May 2008.
