How and why skin ages

The skin’s appearance changes with age as the natural regenerative system starts to slow down.  Male skin gradually becomes thinner (approx 1% per year) as collagen is lost in the dermal layer.  This makes skin more vulnerable to abrasion and more sensitive to environmental factors.  Daily shaving destroys the skin’s barrier function leading to loss of natural lubrication and protection.  Skin becomes drier and more sensitive over time.

Pollution, stress, smoking, alcohol and the sun’s UV light are all skin aggressors which produce harmful free radicals. Free radicals – highly charged molecules –  attack the skin in a process known as oxidation and cause changes in the dermis that lead to premature skin ageing. The body’s internal anti-oxidant defence system helps neutralize free radical damage but with age the efficiency of this system deteriorates and the need for additional anti-oxidants – like those found in IMEDEEN man•age•ment skincare tablets – increases.